A Veteran's Journey: From Drumchapel to Afghanistan

For years, Jordan drank to survive the nights. It was the only way he knew to quiet what Afghanistan had left behind. He was 33 before he finally admitted it wasn't working.

Jordan grew up in Drumchapel, Glasgow, and joined the British Army at a young age, training at Catterick before joining 2 SCOTS, Royal Highland Fusiliers. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan on Herrick 18. "At the time I just got on with it," he says. 

It was only after he left the Army that everything caught up with him.

When the Silence Breaks

He didn't recognise what was happening at first. Like many Veterans, he tried to manage alone: ”I turned to alcohol and drugs to numb how I was feeling," he says. "But that only made things worse over time.”

For years he carried on this way, telling no one, coping badly. It wasn't until last year that he admitted things couldn't continue. "I knew I couldn't keep going the way I was," he says. "That was when I finally decided to ask for help.”

Finding PTSD Resolution

Jordan was referred to PTSD Resolution through Help for Heroes. He remembers the relief of being met without judgement. "Everyone treated me with respect and understanding," he says. "I never felt judged.”

He was paired with a therapist whose approach he still speaks about with something close to awe; ”She was absolutely amazing," he says. "I honestly don't think she could have done any more for me. She made me feel comfortable from day one, listened without judging and gave me the tools to understand and deal with my mental health. She is an absolute asset to PTSD Resolution and genuinely cares about the people she helps.”

For Jordan, what mattered most was being understood. 

PTSD Resolution's therapists work exclusively with the Armed Forces community, and that shared frame of reference made it easier to speak honestly. "They really understand Veterans and the Armed Forces," Jordan says. "For the first time in a long time I felt like someone truly understood what I was going through.”

A Different Life

Jordan is honest about the fact that recovery isn't a straight line: “I still have bad days because mental health isn't something that just disappears overnight," he says. "But compared to where I was before, I'm in a much better place.”

The change, he says, isn't dramatic so much as steady. He copes better. He feels more hopeful about what comes next. And, crucially, he has learned to deal with difficult thoughts as they arise, rather than pushing them down and hoping they disappear.

"I've learned healthier ways to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings instead of trying to bury them," he says. “I'm genuinely grateful for the support I received.”

His Message to Others

Jordan's advice to anyone struggling is simple, and comes from hard won experience.

"Don't wait as long as I did," he says. "Asking for help isn't a weakness - it takes courage."

"They are amazing at what they do and they genuinely care about helping people get their lives back on track. Reaching out was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I'd encourage anyone who's struggling to do the same.”

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PTSD Resolution provides free therapy to UK Veterans, Reservists and family members. There is no waiting list and no referral is required. For support, visit www.PTSDResolution.org or call 0300 302 0551.

The charity provides therapy to veterans with addiction issues or in prison, as well as to family members including partners and children