Dean's Story
'One day, it all became too much'
“I joined the Army when I came to a crossroads in my life at 24.
“Just months after I came out of training I was deployed to Afghanistan. During a firefight with the Taliban one of our sections got hit badly and we lost three guys from our platoon.
"I was so affected by what happened that I couldn't function, even after the tour. So in late 2008 I left the Army.
“I really struggled adapting to civilian life. I lived turbulently, gambled and neglected my family.
“I started having nightmares so I never got a proper night’s sleep.
“One day, it all became too much. I walked aimlessly for 40 miles until I reached a bridge. I was ready to jump, but then I thought about my family."
Dean was picked up by the police and taken to hospital. After some time in hospital Dean's local mental health team referred him to Combat Stress.
"I was diagnosed with PTSD and in 2018 I did the six-week PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme (ITP) at Tyrwhitt House.
“Talking about everything had such an impact on me - I’m more open about my feelings now. And the support from the other guys doing the ITP was amazing; being with other veterans who understood helped me have a different perspective.
“Things are going well for me at the moment. I still have my ups and downs, but I feel like I can cope.
“Now my life is about spending as much time with my family as I can. I still use what I learnt in occupational therapy to keep a good balance of everything and I still meet up with the guys from ITP: they’re part of my journey now.
“Since I got in contact with Combat Stress, I haven’t looked back.”