Spotlight on Ed MacAulay: PEI MFRC Social Worker & Family Liaison Officer

One of the friendly faces you see around the PEI MFRC office (and out and about at MFRC functions and events) belongs to Ed MacAulay. Originally from Cardigan, Ed is PEI MFRC’s social worker and liaison officer. In his role as social worker, Ed counsels family members of soldiers and RCMP officers (couples, individuals, and groups) through any problems or conflicts they may be having. He also provides referrals where required and helps clients access education and prevention programs (community programs and programs available through the MFRC) that may help them. As MFRC’s family liaison officer, Ed is part of the Integrated Personal Support Centre. In this role, he works with family members of ill and injured soldiers while they rehab—should they become medically released from service, Veterans Canada becomes involved.

In addition to a specialized skill set, a career like this requires compassion, and an interest in the Canadian military is clearly an asset. And while we know Ed encompasses all of these things, we thought it would be a great idea to profile him so that you can all learn a bit more about this important resource available to PEI’s military families and the man who delivers the service.

MFRC: Can you tell us about your background and what brought you to the MFRC?

Ed: I’ve worked in many different jobs over the years, all across Canada. I worked as a painter, a ship builder, a pipe line worker, an encyclopedia salesman, a railway employee … I even worked at the Woodbine racetrack with thoroughbred race horses … I did a lot of different things. I went into social work in my late twenties when I enrolled in St. Thomas University. I went on to obtain my Masters at the University of Toronto in 1986. My experience as a social worker includes close to ten years working as a child protection supervisor. I worked with local RCMP in this role. I also spent two years as a probation officer, and almost ten years as a manager and counsellor to government employees and their families with the PEI provincial Employee Assistance Program. I was also the managing director of a family counseling agency in Oromocto New Brunswick for four years.

In my personal life, I was my uncle’s primary care giver. A WWII veteran, I helped him navigate Veterans Affairs and helped him access programs to give him support. When I saw an opportunity come up as a social worker for MFRC, I felt compelled to put in an application. I had a lot of experience in finding resources for these people, and I knew the struggles military personnel go through with PTSD and I wanted to be of service.

I’m glad to be home in PEI where I am familiar with programs, resources, and contacts.

MFRC: What do you consider your greatest strengths as a social worker?

Ed: I have training in trauma, mediation, conflict resolution, stress management, and self-care. Those are my strongest abilities. If someone requires help for mental health issues, there are people with greater expertise than me in that area, but I would be able to refer people to the proper contact. In cases where more than counseling is required, I help point people in the right direction.

MFRC: Can you give us an example of an instance where someone might call you for help?

Ed: In many cases, when soldiers are going through the process of being released, I work with their family members to help deal with the symptoms of PTSD. I will also work with the soldier to find ways to cope and caring for themselves. Sometimes transitioning with deployments just gets to be too overwhelming for a spouse or child to deal with, and they need a bit of help or a place to vent. Marital stress is very common in military families, so I’m a good resource for couples going through challenges in their relationship.

I have learned from my years of social work practice that my primary role is to be helpful to people along their journey in life. I try my best to be present and available when people need support and encouragement as they deal with difficult issues.

MFRC: What is the best way for someone to contact you if they need a bit of help?

Ed: The best way to reach me is to call 902.969.4399.

You can also find Ed on Twitter (@eddiepeter61)

Name: Ed MacAulay

Hobbies: golf, swimming

Favourite music: jazz, blues, rock

Favourite movie:The Family Man (Christmas movie)

Ideal travel place: Cuba

Pets: 2 cats, 1 dog

Family: married to his beautiful wife, Linda; 3 grown children; 1 step-daughter who is graduating from university next month