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Orangeville author speaks out about PTSD and police culture in new book

February 19, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Joshua Drakes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Orangeville author Lana Boland is sharing her personal journey through trauma and recovery in her book, Aftershot – From Silence in Policing to Unstoppable Beyond PTSD. The memoir explores the hidden mental health struggles faced by those in law enforcement.

Built around personal reflections and lived experience, the book explores the emotional weight of frontline work and the challenges officers often face when seeking support. It presents a series of personal stories and observations that highlight both the personal and institutional realities of policing, while also offering a broader perspective on the profession’s culture.

The 120-page book offers a candid look at the psychological toll of policing, focusing on issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), workplace culture and the stigma surrounding mental health within the profession.

The project began unexpectedly in 2024 after Boland experienced a work-related injury that resulted in a PTSD diagnosis. For Boland, she never initially intended to write a book, but after some encouragement, she changed her mind.

“The book is sort of like a weird story, because I didn’t mean to write it,” she said. “I ended up with PTSD in May of 2024, for a work-related injury, and my psychologist insisted I journal. About a year in, she said, Lana, you have a way with words. You’re writing a book. I said, What? What are you talking about? I’m absolutely not writing a book. I hardly know how to work a computer, nor do I own one.”

Boland continued, “So she forced me to buy a laptop and to justify the purchase, I just went outside for a couple of hours every day, and I just started writing things down as they came to mind, and lo and behold, within a month, I had a book.”

At its core, Boland says the book was written to help others feel less alone. She was motivated in part by learning about police suicides and what she sees as ongoing gaps in mental health support within the profession.

“The goal and the reason why I sort of started showing people my work was at first frustration,” Boland said. “That turned into officers saying, this is the first time I’ve ever felt seen just (by) you writing your words. That’s exactly how I feel… if just me writing a book would make one person… feel less alone, then it did its job.”

“My goal wasn’t even to speak out originally; it was telling my story so officers would feel less alone, or humans would feel less alone,” she added. “You are not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.” 

Boland said that her frustration, anger and disappointment in police leadership led her to speak up and share her story in her book.

“Once you’re internally injured, the service ices you out,” she said. “They don’t even try to support you… you’re sort of sequestered, separated from the job you knew, the people you knew, nobody wants anything to do with you. It’s like you’re suddenly taboo just to be friends with, and they don’t really offer help… and you’re alone.”

“Officers have been screaming into a void for years, and were abandoned when they needed help the most… Imagine going through PTSD… alone and in shame and silenced by design,” Boland added.

She deliberately avoided naming specific police services or individuals in the book. Instead, she keeps details general, allowing readers — particularly those working in similar fields — to see their own experiences reflected in the themes. The approach also encourages wider public understanding of the human impact of police work.

Boland’s own path to policing was shaped by personal experiences earlier in life. Traumatic events in her youth influenced her desire to help others facing difficult situations.

After graduating during the 2008 to 2009 economic recession and struggling to find work, she began working in a police service’s records department. She later transitioned into frontline roles, experiences that would eventually form the foundation of her book.

Her journey — from early idealism to the realities of the profession — is a central thread throughout Aftershot, providing context for her reflections on workplace culture, psychological injury and recovery.

With a decade of experience as a sworn officer and six years in civilian law enforcement, Boland hopes to spark open conversations about mental health in policing, encourage cultural change, and promote stronger support systems for officers through Aftershot.

Boland wants to see more officers inspired to speak up rather than being too afraid to defend themselves. She wants to see her daughter grow up in a world where she can be confident, authentic and outspoken without fear of retribution or pushback.

“I spent my life shrinking to make other people comfortable, and I want to live in a world where we don’t have to shrink ourselves to be heard, to be seen,” she said. 

“You are worthy.”

By sharing her story, Boland aims to break the silence surrounding PTSD in law enforcement and highlight the importance of compassion, accountability and care for those who serve their communities. 

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