Modelling for PTSD, Modelling for Change
Why was this started?
Wilson Quan is an entrepreneur and police officer who works with other first responders and the Heros in Mind Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC) at the University of Alberta to assist and rehabilitate first responders suffering from PTSD.
Wilson Quan is no stranger to PTSD and mental illness, having spent 20 years as a first responder in Alberta, where he worked intensely with hundreds of other first responders in Edmonton and Calgary. He has seen the psychological effects that occur when First Responders work closely to tragedy and stress. Left untreated, PTSD can destroy a first responders life, leading to alienating friend's and family, to suicide.
Prior to starting his policing career Wilson graduated from University in Business. Since then he and his wife, Elisa have created a number of successful businesses and built on that experience to start First Response PTSD Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to provide first responders in Alberta access to ground breaking virtual reality rehabilitation through HiMARC (Hero's in Mind and Research Consortium) University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation.
The First Response to Fashion Event raises funds for the foundation. The event features real-life first responders modelling clothing from local Edmonton boutiques.
Where do the proceeds go?
Funds raised from the event are donated to the Heros in Mind Advocacy and research Consortium (HiMARC) at the University of Alberta
HiMARC aims to develop, evaluate, and help implement solutions to improve the resilience, health and wellbeing of public safety personnel, military members, Veterans and their families. Together, HiMARC and First Response to Fashionwe will continue to raise the bar in finding therapies to treat PTSD and to ensure that those treatments are funded. we will continue to raise the bar in finding therapies to treat PTSD and to ensure that those treatments are funded. One area of research focus is the development of the CAREN (Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment) as a virtual reality therapy tool to assist in the recovery of PTSD. Virtual reality therapy (VRT) uses specially programmed computers, visual immersion devices and artificially created environments to give the patient a simulated experience that can be used to diagnose and treat psychological conditions that cause difficulties for patients. VRT has great promise since it historically produces a "cure" about 90% of the time at about half the cost of traditional cognitive behavior therapy authority, and is especially promising as a treatment for PTSD.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
