You can’t see any injuries but your head’s screwed
A FORMER Royal Marine has told how he endured years of mental trauma after witnessing the horrors of war.
Stuart Mahoney’s post- traumatic stress disorder finally led to him taking an overdose. But he won through – and now backs the Sunday People’s Save Our Soldiers Campaign.
He was mentally scarred by six years of service in hotspots like the Gulf. Stuart, 32, recalled: “It was taxing – shooting people, close-quarters battle, seeing people die in front of you, your mates not coming back. “I didn’t realise I was suffering to begin with. That’s the thing about mental health – you can’t see any injuries but your head is screwed up.” Stuart, from Hampshire, could not eat or get out of bed and his marriage broke up. By then he was working as a fireman and decided to take action.
He took a course in kite surfing and went on to train as an instructor.
Stuart said: “With constant support I grew in confidence. I realisedd I could change my life.” His teacher was Berny Maginn, who runs “zero to hero” courses at Airzone Kitesurf Schools in Hampshire and New Zealand.
Berny said: “Stuart had to focus on something new and believe things could change. The sport gave him that.” ACTRESS Kristen Stewart looks white-hot as she hits the red carpet in New York.
The Twilight star, 26, vamped it up in a lacy top that showed off her midriff – and trousers held together by safety pins.
Co-star Vin Diesel, 49, joined her as they launched Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
The anti-war but pro-soldier film, which has had rave reviews, is out next month.