Michael's Journey with PTSD Resolution

From Battlefield to Recovery:

From the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan to battling PTSD and homelessness, Michael's story is a testament to the need for specialised Veterans' services - like PTSD Resolution.

After serving in the British Army for 16 years, Michael's last tour ended abruptly in 2016 when he was injured by an IED. "Leaving the service and then having to come back to the UK hit me hard," he says. Life spiralled out of control with Michael caught in a vicious cycle of mental ill health and substance abuse. "I ended up actually being homeless, living in a tent in Huddersfield… I had no direction or hope, really, to know what was next for me down the line."

When Michael met Chris Barnes from Change Grow Live (CGL), he found a lifeline.

Chris was involved in a project seeking out struggling Veterans. Through this connection, Michael was introduced to UK-wide Veteran's mental health charity, PTSD Resolution. "It took a week or two for me to get the courage to ring," Michael admits. "But once I did, I was received with warmth and compassion."

A Turning Point

Michael's initial sessions with his therapist marked the beginning of a transformative journey. "PTSD Resolution has kind of saved me," he says, "in a lot of ways." It took a little time to build trust with his therapist - but a pivotal moment came when he was introduced to guided imagery. "We basically did a technique where I was watching a screen and watching myself on the screen… through the whole accident."

This process, though initially distressing, proved to be a turning point. "That was the second time only that I'd spoken about the exact way the accident unfolded, and who I lost," Michael says, "and I found it a lot easier to talk about."

The Healing Process

It's the ongoing support and personalised coping strategies that set PTSD Resolution apart, Michael explains. "My therapist has not just listened to me, but he has become a friend. Someone that I can turn to when I'm in a bad place."

Michael's therapist provided him with tailored relaxation techniques, often sending recordings with guided imagery that would help him stay calm. "He knows that for me, one of my favourite things is being in a sleeping bag when it's raining. So he'll make a recording of that scenario for me."

A New Perspective on Mental Health

Michael's experience has dramatically shifted his view on mental health. "The whole 16 years I was in the British Army, 'mental health' was frowned upon," he recalls. "I was a senior NCO, a physical training instructor. I wasn't allowed to have a mental health problem."

Today, he is an advocate for mental health awareness among soldiers and Veterans. "I am a Veteran who looked upon mental health with a stigma and thought that I didn't have any mental health problems. And I got proven wrong - and I'm happy I got proven wrong."

The Importance of Specialised Services

The key to a lasting improvement in Veteran wellbeing is getting the word out, says Michael. Information about proven, specialised services like PTSD Resolution should be included in the pack given to soldiers when they leave, he suggests. "So that if something happens and they start suffering from a mental health problem, they've got services out there to help them."

A Message of Hope

Michael's story is one of resilience, recovery - and hope. While simultaneously dealing with Post Traumatic Stress, homelessness and substance abuse, he discovered a path to healing and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Through PTSD Resolution, Michael has not only found relief from his symptoms but has gained the tools to manage his mental health going forward. His story offers real, tangible hope to other Veterans struggling with PTSD - showing that with the right support, recovery really is possible.

For more information on PTSD Resolution please visit www.ptsdresolution.org

PTSD Resolution is a charity assisting servicemen and women and family members, over the age of 12 years, with mental health issues following service in the UK armed forces. The charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services.

The charity is one of the only organisations to provide therapy to Veterans suffering with addiction issues or who are in prison - as well as to family members, including partners and children, who may experience the symptoms of trauma from living with a traumatised veteran.