"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

-Plato

 

Combat Stress is a charity dedicated to caring for British Veterans suffering profound psychological trauma due to harrowing experiences whilst serving in the Armed Forces. This includes help with depression, anxiety disorders and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which symptoms include the re-living of life-threatening incidents that can lead to night terrors, mood swings, panic attacks and phobias. 

Combat Stress reaches out to those Veterans that ask for help, providing a 24-hour helpline, short-stay clinical residential centres, the 6-week Veterans' programme to rehabilitate individuals presenting with complicated cases of PTSD, along with advice and mentoring for day-to-day support of those Veterans being treated at the short-stay centres. They also operate a number of community outreach teams. 

 

I am currently beginning the process of joining the Territorial Army, and as many of you may know, I'm going to need a haircut...

...a drastic one! (Have a look at the gallery!)

This seems like the perfect opportunity to raise money for a charity that really does go above and beyond the call of duty for those Veterans who really need help.

Whilst my heart goes out to those families that have lost loved ones, or those courageous individuals that have been injured in the line of duty, I feel that extra attention must be brought to helping Veterans suffering mental injuries. In recent studies, figures indicate that 81% of Veterans suffering mental injuries feel embarrassed or ashamed by their condition, and that on average it takes 13.1 years for a Veteran to seek help from Combat Stress after leaving the Armed Forces.  

It's time that this stigma be addressed, therefore if nothing else please sign this petition co-ordinated by Combat Stress to battle the stigma surrounding mental ill-health in the Armed Forces. 

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/battlestigma/

It's time we fight the 'Enemy Within'. 

 

Many thanks.