Specialist help for veterans in trauma

Three years ago, Ian Young, pictured, felt he was at rock bottom. Tormented by trauma dating back to his 11 years of army service followed by the death of his parents, he was self- medicating with alcohol and felt his life was unravelling.

Aware something was very wrong, Ian reached out to PTSD Resolution, a specialist charity which helps veterans, reservists and their families struggling to return to normal life because of trauma suffered during service for their country.

With its nationwide network of 200 therapists, PTSD Resolution helps people overcome the impact of trauma, which can cause flashbacks, nightmares, anger and depression.

Sufferers can spiral into violence and turn to alcohol and substance abuse. Their work can fall apart, family life collapse and sometimes there can be tragic consequences.

However, within a week of reaching out to PTSD Resolution for help, Ian was attending his first free, local counselling session and receiving specialist help.

Having had to deal with so much, it was never going to be an easy journey. But after a relapse, a second round of therapy was finally able to set Ian on the path to recovery.

Since then, Ian has used the tools and techniques he learned in therapy to build himself a full life.

A keen fundraiser and marathon runner, he represented Great Britain at the 2017 Invictus Games in Canada. He went on to be an ambassador for the 2018 Games and is currently an Invictus athletics coach.

PTSD Resolution has a strong track record of positive outcomes, helping even those wrestling with long- standing and severe trauma.

While the charity supports the men and women who have given so much in service for their country, its work is not government- funded. Instead, it relies on gifts in Wills and donations to cover the costs of its therapists, information services and essential research.

Every penny goes to helping those in need – which makes every gift and every legacy so precious.

While Ian is now doing well, he knows that should he need help in the future, PTSD Resolution is just a phone call away.

And he has a powerful message for anyone suffering: trust your instincts if something feels wrong.

“My advice is, if you feel it, then for you it’s real. You don’t have to convince anyone. Speak up and get the help and support that you deserve.”