Essex Police dog handler Paul Haylock journeyed out to the Peruvian jungle with six pals, including another former officer, to drink ayahuasca last November, reports the Telegraph.
The unconventional therapy is being organised for UK police officers and other first responders suffering from work-related trauma.
Paul, 41, has been a police officer for 22 years and was called out to the Westminster terror attack in 2017. He said he was hoping to find relief from his anxiety and suicidal thoughts. He said experiencing the aftermath of the terror attack was a ‘tipping point’.
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Six months later Paul says he believes he can cope better with stress since the trip, which was organised by non-profit Heroic Hearts Project UK.
The charity which sends troubled military veterans and emergency services workers on ‘progressive therapy retreats’.
It was set up during the pandemic by ex-soldier Keith Abraham, 44, after making a similar journey to experience an ayahuasca ceremony. Keith served in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment.
Attendees pay for their own flights but the £3,000 cost of the retreat itself is paid by Heroic Hearts. Its third Peruvian retreat took place last month, and Keith says there are currently 75 people on the waiting list for future retreats, of which 11 are paramedics, firefighters or police officers and the rest ex-soldiers.
Source
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/traumatised-uk-cops-flying-peru-32877584
