A well-known former Halifax police officer has chosen Bell Let’s Talk Day to speak about his own struggles with mental health issues.
“It's something that's been on my mind for years,” says Don Spicer.
Spicer thought there was no better day than Bell Let’s Talk day to share his message.
“As far back as I can remember, as a child for sure, basically it was a lack of confidence and low self-esteem,” he says.
However, Spicer went on to become a high-profile police officer. He worked for the Halifax Regional Police for 35 years, rising to the rank of superintendent and becoming the force’s public safety officer.
Today, the man who replaced him was by his side.
“Reading his blog today, that was something I didn't know about before and I'm glad he had the courage to share it. It really speaks to what today is all about here,” says Sgt. Scott MacDonald.
Spicer says he dropped out of school not once, but twice.
“It was in high school that I kind of found myself walking around instead of going to class,” he says.
He eventually got his GED at the age of 32, and 18 years later, he graduated with a university degree.
Today, he posted a blog sharing his story.
“To have somebody who is well known to the public, in Halifax, to have the courage to talk about the challenges that they've had and overcome really shows how resilient one can be,” says Jean Hughes of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Spicer is now the executive director of an organization that helps the homeless.
“I could have just as easily been a client of Shelter Nova Scotia instead of an employee,” he says.
Now, after so many years, he has turned his shame into pride.
“I want other people to know that they can be proud of their lives and hopefully make a difference.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
