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A Medic's Mind
Matthew Heneghan weaves an intricate web that is his life, in a style all his own. Once a medic in the Canadian Forces and a paramedic in the civilian world, he has a varied and traumatic past. Facing childhood abuse, addiction, suicide ideation, incredible loss, mental illness, he finds himself left rudderless, Matthew chronicles his journey towards a better way of coping.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 4, 2019
"At a certain point, the very best of humans will finally break, with long-lasting implications."
- Todd McGowan, Chief Warrant Officer (Retired), Canadian Armed Forces
.
.
Sitting on the edge of an overpass, haunted by the demons of trauma and loss, Matt is ready. Ready to end his life, and along with that would be an end to his pain and suffering. However, when an ambulance passes on the road below, he realizes that he doesn't want the EMTs inside to be traumatized because of him. He can't bear to be the cause of someone else's suffering.
Thank goodness he didn't go through with his planned suicide attempt, or A MEDIC'S MIND would not exist which would be a terrible shame.
This book might just be the catalyst for others who are experiencing the symptoms of PTSD to seek treatment - thus saving their lives, or at the very least, helping to identify and possibly alleviate some of their symptoms.
A MEDIC'S MIND is a memoir written by an extraordinary man who has served our country and saved many lives. Although I am sure he would disagree, it is my opinion that he is the very definition of a "Hero."
So, if he is a hero, and a distinguished retired member of the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) then shouldn't his life be perfect? Shouldn't he be happy and healthy in the knowledge that without him, many more families, military and otherwise, would be mourning their losses?
You might think so, but that would be a very simplistic view of what happens inside the human brain.
I don't believe anyone who hasn't experienced the trauma of war has the ability to understand the emotional, physical, or psychological damage such experiences can cause.
After leaving the military, Matthew became a paramedic which further exposed him to more and more trauma. It has only been within the past few years that our society's first responders have had their psychological health taken into account and that it has been acknowledged that PTSD is not limited only to soldiers.
Matthew Heneghan may have been a fantastic medic and EMT, but his true calling, in my opinion, is writing about his experiences. In A MEDIC'S MIND, he opens his mind and heart and lays everything bare. The bravery this takes is monumental. In a recent blog post, where he writes about the suicide of his close friend, Matthew states:
"Living with a fractured mind can be torturous. Living with a fractured mind and a broken heart… that’s torture of the rarest kind."
Matthew, at one point in his life turned to alcohol to cope and to try to fill the pain he was feeling. He is now clean and sober and still damaged. He has learned a hard truth which he shares with the reader, that just because you kick an addiction, does not instantly mean you are "cured." Life can, and does, kick you in the ass, but you have to hold on, even if, at times, it feels like you are only hanging on by the tips of your fingers.
I truly believe that A MEDIC'S MIND is an important memoir. This book needs to be widely read and distributed. I have read many biographies and this one is one of the few that will stay with me for a very long time. I wholeheartedly believe A MEDIC'S MIND will become a book that anyone and everyone who wants to understand the psyche of a PTSD sufferer needs to read. This includes others suffering from trauma, their friends and families, as well as those who seek to understand and/or treat this disorder need to read.
I rate A MEDIC'S MIND as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I sincerely hope that the author continues to blog and podcast and to speak out his truth. I think he is an important advocate for informing people about PTSD and it's ongoing effects.
****Thank you to the Author for providing me with a free copy of his book.****
Follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
To read more of my reviews visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
- Todd McGowan, Chief Warrant Officer (Retired), Canadian Armed Forces
.
.
Sitting on the edge of an overpass, haunted by the demons of trauma and loss, Matt is ready. Ready to end his life, and along with that would be an end to his pain and suffering. However, when an ambulance passes on the road below, he realizes that he doesn't want the EMTs inside to be traumatized because of him. He can't bear to be the cause of someone else's suffering.
Thank goodness he didn't go through with his planned suicide attempt, or A MEDIC'S MIND would not exist which would be a terrible shame.
This book might just be the catalyst for others who are experiencing the symptoms of PTSD to seek treatment - thus saving their lives, or at the very least, helping to identify and possibly alleviate some of their symptoms.
A MEDIC'S MIND is a memoir written by an extraordinary man who has served our country and saved many lives. Although I am sure he would disagree, it is my opinion that he is the very definition of a "Hero."
So, if he is a hero, and a distinguished retired member of the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) then shouldn't his life be perfect? Shouldn't he be happy and healthy in the knowledge that without him, many more families, military and otherwise, would be mourning their losses?
You might think so, but that would be a very simplistic view of what happens inside the human brain.
I don't believe anyone who hasn't experienced the trauma of war has the ability to understand the emotional, physical, or psychological damage such experiences can cause.
After leaving the military, Matthew became a paramedic which further exposed him to more and more trauma. It has only been within the past few years that our society's first responders have had their psychological health taken into account and that it has been acknowledged that PTSD is not limited only to soldiers.
Matthew Heneghan may have been a fantastic medic and EMT, but his true calling, in my opinion, is writing about his experiences. In A MEDIC'S MIND, he opens his mind and heart and lays everything bare. The bravery this takes is monumental. In a recent blog post, where he writes about the suicide of his close friend, Matthew states:
"Living with a fractured mind can be torturous. Living with a fractured mind and a broken heart… that’s torture of the rarest kind."
Matthew, at one point in his life turned to alcohol to cope and to try to fill the pain he was feeling. He is now clean and sober and still damaged. He has learned a hard truth which he shares with the reader, that just because you kick an addiction, does not instantly mean you are "cured." Life can, and does, kick you in the ass, but you have to hold on, even if, at times, it feels like you are only hanging on by the tips of your fingers.
I truly believe that A MEDIC'S MIND is an important memoir. This book needs to be widely read and distributed. I have read many biographies and this one is one of the few that will stay with me for a very long time. I wholeheartedly believe A MEDIC'S MIND will become a book that anyone and everyone who wants to understand the psyche of a PTSD sufferer needs to read. This includes others suffering from trauma, their friends and families, as well as those who seek to understand and/or treat this disorder need to read.
I rate A MEDIC'S MIND as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I sincerely hope that the author continues to blog and podcast and to speak out his truth. I think he is an important advocate for informing people about PTSD and it's ongoing effects.
****Thank you to the Author for providing me with a free copy of his book.****
Follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews
To read more of my reviews visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
December 30, 2019
Four solid stars for the courage Mr. Heneghan demonstrates in writing about his PTSD and battles with alcohol over the years. I'm not a fan of these types of memoirs where the author "tells all" and (if executed poorly) sounds as if all they want to talk about is themselves. That's not always the case here, and while it may be difficult for non-sufferers to identify with Mr. Heneghan's nightmares and triggers, for those that are afflicted they will certainly ring true. Full review: bit.ly/AMedicsMind
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February 2, 2020This book is both hard to put down and hard to read. Hard to put down because the author draws us into his life, and he is always keenly aware of his own feelings and of the surroundings. he has a poet`s touch for words and phrases ; tactile time travel is one, drinking his own weight in whiskey is a sad but powerful example.
And it is hard to read because he takes us along in his journey, through the friendships he makes in his military duty, or at least his training, then his life as a civilian medic. He already has been damaged in his childhood, and then faces further trauma in his tour of duty, although he leaves those trials to our imagination. He asks for release and it is granted.
Back at home, he searches for and finds employment as a medic, and there his harsh journey continues. Some calls are friendly and heartwarming, some are hostile and difficult. And some bring him in physical contact with death, and one such case brings him within seconds of suicide.
We see him, almost next to us, as his drinking causes him to shed all his dignity, and then slowly recover.
This is a powerful book, and it must have taken enormous courage to write it and make it available to the public. We can only wish Matthew Joseph Heneghan success in this book and in his recovery.
And it is hard to read because he takes us along in his journey, through the friendships he makes in his military duty, or at least his training, then his life as a civilian medic. He already has been damaged in his childhood, and then faces further trauma in his tour of duty, although he leaves those trials to our imagination. He asks for release and it is granted.
Back at home, he searches for and finds employment as a medic, and there his harsh journey continues. Some calls are friendly and heartwarming, some are hostile and difficult. And some bring him in physical contact with death, and one such case brings him within seconds of suicide.
We see him, almost next to us, as his drinking causes him to shed all his dignity, and then slowly recover.
This is a powerful book, and it must have taken enormous courage to write it and make it available to the public. We can only wish Matthew Joseph Heneghan success in this book and in his recovery.
January 26, 2020
Matthew Heneghan writes with alarming frankness offering readers a glimpse into the world of a person torn apart while in the service of others. Though even in the stark depictions of some of his lived horrors one can sense, in his prose, an effort to shield us from the very worst; it is, I suspect, his skills as a medic coming to life through his keyboard.
With this deft touch Mr. Heneghan invites readers to witness the spiral of his descent while being introduced to the subtle measures that are used to build the foundation of his recovery. And yet while hope begins to assert itself further realities are disclosed which threaten the fragile progress being made. As a mirror into the often clouded picture that is PTSD this book unflinchingly moves itself toward an outcome that each reader is allowed to interpret for themselves.
For all those who can relate to "mental illness has a way of stealing your passport and leaving you stranded," I suggest this as a starting point to your own road forward.
With this deft touch Mr. Heneghan invites readers to witness the spiral of his descent while being introduced to the subtle measures that are used to build the foundation of his recovery. And yet while hope begins to assert itself further realities are disclosed which threaten the fragile progress being made. As a mirror into the often clouded picture that is PTSD this book unflinchingly moves itself toward an outcome that each reader is allowed to interpret for themselves.
For all those who can relate to "mental illness has a way of stealing your passport and leaving you stranded," I suggest this as a starting point to your own road forward.
August 28, 2019
Heneghan takes a sharp-eyed look back at his fractured childhood and personal loss as he chronicles his journey towards a better way of coping.
After joining Canadian Forces, Heneghan began experiencing crippling episodes of depression which never ceased to exist even after he left military and became a paramedic in the civilian world. They became so bad that—after losing his driving license to drunk driving and eventually losing his job—he contemplated suicide. Heneghan writes with a disarming honesty about himself, his difficult childhood, his mother’s cancer and her lifelong battle with mental illness, and the trauma he had to go through in line of his job as a paramedic.
A compelling account of experienced PTSD and a toxic alcohol dependency, the memoir evokes Heneghan’s years long turmoil and his journey toward a better future as he got help and learned to cope better.
Powerful and incredibly inspiring…
After joining Canadian Forces, Heneghan began experiencing crippling episodes of depression which never ceased to exist even after he left military and became a paramedic in the civilian world. They became so bad that—after losing his driving license to drunk driving and eventually losing his job—he contemplated suicide. Heneghan writes with a disarming honesty about himself, his difficult childhood, his mother’s cancer and her lifelong battle with mental illness, and the trauma he had to go through in line of his job as a paramedic.
A compelling account of experienced PTSD and a toxic alcohol dependency, the memoir evokes Heneghan’s years long turmoil and his journey toward a better future as he got help and learned to cope better.
Powerful and incredibly inspiring…
February 7, 2020
I cannot over-recommend this autobiography. A Medic’s Mind takes you into the journey of a man who, in the midst of great pain and loss, bravely and relentlessly presses forward to face his past, present, and future. As with his podcast and blog, Matthew Heneghan will have you laughing hysterically with him, shedding tears alongside him, marvelling at his tenacity, and will encourage you to take a look at your own life, preconceived notions and ideas. A Medic’s Mind is skillfully organized, allowing Heneghan’s brilliant storytelling to shine through. At times, passages slowed me down as I simply could not resist savouring their creative beauty. Thank you for daring to share with us, Matthew! Keep talking.
July 13, 2020
Heneghan paints pictures with words. His book is heart-felt, well written, and a certain triumph. The subject matter is dark at times, raw and real, however, it truly is a book of resiliency and hope.
October 15, 2019
I feel like I was walking side by side with Matthew sharing his stories. He paints pictures with words. He bravely shares his life experiences and we can all learn something from his journey.
November 29, 2019
Cool book by a cool dude, not great taste in drinks but hey I’m just the barista, wicked novel man.
December 4, 2019
Solid, funny, honest. A must read!
December 5, 2019
Excellent, personal description of what is like to live with PTSD and addictions. Phenomenal lived account of the process of unraveling the trauma in order to heal. A message of hope and inspiration.
September 15, 2020
A Medic's Mind is an all-inclusive read - you'll laugh, you'll tear up, you'll learn.
As a nurse, I work alongside some amazing medics and have always said I couldn't do their job. Healthcare as a whole has opportunity to see horrible (and amazing) things, but medics are the ones at the absolute front of it all. Author Matthew Heneghan takes us straight into his life and struggles right from page one - first as a military, then civilian, medic throughout Canada.
It's so honest and heart-wrenching and straightforward. He's also a very talented writer.
While it's often hard to review memoirs, this one takes no effort at all to highly recommend.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It's so important to reduce the stigma of mental health issues that lead to this devastating act. Heneghan brings forward his reality of depression, alcoholism, PTSD, suicidal ideation, grief and anxiety in his book and am glad to have take-aways from it to apply in my own life and practice.
Thank you to Wintertickle Press for my giveaway win copy of this excellent book. Recommended!
As a nurse, I work alongside some amazing medics and have always said I couldn't do their job. Healthcare as a whole has opportunity to see horrible (and amazing) things, but medics are the ones at the absolute front of it all. Author Matthew Heneghan takes us straight into his life and struggles right from page one - first as a military, then civilian, medic throughout Canada.
It's so honest and heart-wrenching and straightforward. He's also a very talented writer.
While it's often hard to review memoirs, this one takes no effort at all to highly recommend.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It's so important to reduce the stigma of mental health issues that lead to this devastating act. Heneghan brings forward his reality of depression, alcoholism, PTSD, suicidal ideation, grief and anxiety in his book and am glad to have take-aways from it to apply in my own life and practice.
Thank you to Wintertickle Press for my giveaway win copy of this excellent book. Recommended!
July 28, 2025
A Medic's Mind is a memoir by former medic and veteran from the Canadian Forces. The memoir follows both his time serving as well as his difficult childhood, while also sharing his experiences with mental illness, addiction, suicidal ideation and recovery and healing.
I appreciated the author's vulnerability and willingness to openly share his challenges as I think his experiences are common to many people and his resiliency could help give a positive outlook for readers who are struggling. That being said, I found the story jumped around a lot and I had a hard time following. I was also hoping for more medic-related stories as I found the snippets included were short and more anecdotal rather than detailed or descriptive.
Thanks to the author, Matthew Heneghan and The Canadian Book Club Awards for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
I appreciated the author's vulnerability and willingness to openly share his challenges as I think his experiences are common to many people and his resiliency could help give a positive outlook for readers who are struggling. That being said, I found the story jumped around a lot and I had a hard time following. I was also hoping for more medic-related stories as I found the snippets included were short and more anecdotal rather than detailed or descriptive.
Thanks to the author, Matthew Heneghan and The Canadian Book Club Awards for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
October 31, 2025
Touching and real. Matthew takes you places that you know exist but haven’t experienced. There are tears, yes, but definitely laughter, too. A hero of personal truth and one of my favourite authors.
November 18, 2019
A Medic’s Mind by Matthew Heneghan is a super raw and honest memoir.
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There is a nice through line for the book of the different jackets that Matthew had to wear for his career. The many flashback stories kept the flow interesting and parallels how his PTSD would be triggered.
.
There are some more light hearted and humorous stories in the book as well which I appreciated because otherwise the whole book would be very intense.
.
Overall I liked how honest Matthew was about himself and his life. By sharing his story I think it will help others not just medics but anyone who has to deal with PTSD, depression, abuse and alcoholism.
.
There is a nice through line for the book of the different jackets that Matthew had to wear for his career. The many flashback stories kept the flow interesting and parallels how his PTSD would be triggered.
.
There are some more light hearted and humorous stories in the book as well which I appreciated because otherwise the whole book would be very intense.
.
Overall I liked how honest Matthew was about himself and his life. By sharing his story I think it will help others not just medics but anyone who has to deal with PTSD, depression, abuse and alcoholism.
February 8, 2020
Writing about ones demons and the battles fought within is not an easy feat. Although some of Matthews life experiences were sad to read he interjects just enough humour to keep you hopeful. My favourite is ‘...a perfect cocktail for a depression martini. Straight up. No olive. Tastes like shit.’ I’m sensing his ability to pull humour from the depths of his darkness is why he is still walking amongst us. I read a Medics Mind in one day so needless to say, for me, it was a page turner.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews