Chris Dupee is proud of his 1service with the Canadian military, including a 2deployment to Afghanistan. 

"It was an amazing experience."

 3Unexpected, perhaps, when that very career led him down a path of mental illness. 

"You get 4pressed into mental levels that you never thought that you would have to go." 

Dupee was later 5diagnosed with 6Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, leading to his release from the military. Over the years, he's gone from living in his truck and 7avoiding PTSD 8triggers to speaking openly about his mental health. 

"It's a9 mirror, right? We got to look into it and we got to 10recognize what we see as ours. Okay, I have PTSD...now what?" 

Struggling to find the right support, Dupee realized a way of helping himself was to help others. That led to the creation of 'Cadence', a mental health treatment center for 11veterans and 12first responders. 

"It's a very cozy and comforting space here." 

At the entrance, inspiring words from people who have walked this path of recovery, helping to guide those who will follow. 

"Is that something that's talked about here? Growth and freedom? Freedom from what?" 

 "Freedom from your demons? Freedom from whatever's 13holding you back." 

They offer professional support focused on 14frontline trauma, a common theme for those on a shared journey of pain and recovery. David Ward is one of them. 

"I've tried to move on with my life my way and I ended up falling into a deep rut and I 15attempted suicide with a firearm." 

Ward had served 19 years with two tours in Afghanistan. 

"I realized that the moment I felt that bullet go through my forehead was... I was looking at the world wrong, because at that point in time I had lost hope." 

Getting help in a space surrounded by other veterans gives him the strength to share his story.