“Despite everything I’ve been through, I've never had one text or call from anybody from within the military since I left asking if I’m okay.”
These are the words of Royal Marines Commando Ben Wadham who has revealed the harsh and emotional realities of his life after service.
Ben served as a Royal Marines Commando physical training instructor at 42 Commando and the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Devon, training recruits in their physical abilities about to pass out as a Royal Marine.
He also served in numerous countries around the globe, including Afghanistan.
One of his most challenging moments occurred during his deployment on Herrick 5, when his comrade and friend, Richie Watson, lost his life.
An event that’s haunted Ben ever since.
When his time in service was coming to an end he recalled a meeting when he and his fellow soldiers were gathered in a village hall in Cyprus, where a Navy officer briefly lectured them on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
"The guy in the Navy, bless him, stood up and gave a five-minute lecture on what PTSD is. Then, as soon as he left, about 25 crates of beer were thrown through the door,” he said.
"We got drunk, woke up the next morning, spent half an hour on the beach, and then flew home. That was it."
Ben speaks openly and honestly about the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, particularly among men who see themselves as 'alpha males.’
“As men we often say there’s nothing wrong with us, but the truth is, the people who say there's nothing wrong are often the ones who eventually break.”
As with thousands of other UK veterans, Ben’s transition to civilian life has been a huge challenge after leaving behind the respect and recognition he earned in the military.
"You build up a reputation for yourself and become somebody within the organisation," he explained.
"But in the civilian world, it doesn't matter.
"You have to re-establish who you are and what you're about, and it took me a long time to find my place."
Despite the lack of follow-up support from the military, Ben has found solace and assistance from Rock 2 Recovery, a charity offering life-changing support for UKveterans.
"I've been checking in with those guys once a month for a long time now, and they're genuinely lifesavers," he said.
Ben uses his story and experiences to provide help to his fellow veterans and actively encourages them to seek help and support.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel if you keep chipping away at it," he said.
"An amazing way to help veterans like me is to play the Veterans’ Lottery as not only could you win a handsome sum of money, but you could also help rebuild a veteran's life."
