Prince George, B.C. – Veterans and other first responders will gather at the foot of City Hall to help raise awareness for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) tomorrow.

They will be joined by Joe Elliott, an executive member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 and spokesperson for the Legion’s Operational Stress Injury Special Section, for the 22 Push Up Challenge.

“We’re highlighting awareness of the 22 veterans a day in the USA that commit suicide on average,” he says. “Canada has a serious problem as well – the figures released last week were 35 veterans – including the RCMP and first responders – who have committed suicide this year.”

(He guesses that number is much higher but says they can’t properly track the correct number of suicides because of the Freedom of Information Act).

Elliott says he’ll be doing 22 push ups in front of City Hall in Veterans Plaza to mark the occasion.

He encourages anyone in the community to come down and participate – not necessarily to do the push ups but to at last wear red – be it a red ball cap, a red t-shirt or a red jacket as part of the Red Friday movement which acknowledges those in the military currently serving abroad.

Elliot says PTSD often takes an average of 10 years before it kicks in for a veteran which he notes presents challenges for others too.

“Families suffer as well. The families seriously have big issues because sometimes they’re left behind.”

The event starts at 1 p.m.