Terry Malchuk wears his heart on his sleeve. A heart that is passionate about supporting and advocating for mental health and quality of life for Veterans. He also supports others who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, including RCMP and first responders.
Five years ago, long after he left the military, Terry realized he needed help. He reached out for it and received it. With a PTSD diagnosis, he immediately began working on his own recovery while at the same time paying it forward to others in need.
What makes Terry really stand out is how quick he is to share his experience and advice with many Veterans, introducing them to various tools and techniques he himself has found helpful. He is very active on social media and is always seeking ways to reach out and share his knowledge. In 2020 for example, he shared his story on a podcast for people suffering from PTSD called Brewed Awakenings. He also reaches out directly to individual Veterans in need of his support.
Terry provides support to others with PTSD in a number of ways. He has been trained in peer support through Veterans Affairs Canada PTSD support programs and has completed the PPCLI Association mental health first aid course. He is now a facilitator for the Chilliwack Operational Stress Injury Social Support peer support group, and volunteers with Boots on the Ground, a peer support organization for first responders.