Amesbury veteran inspiring others with trauma to reach out for help
Dale Garner has been recognised for his efforts by charity, Combat Stress
An army veteran from South Wiltshire has been handed an award for his work in inspiring former soldiers with trauma on their path to recovery.
Dale Garner, who lives in Amesbury, has shared his own struggles with military-related trauma in an effort to encourage others to take the first step and reach out for help.
He's worked with charity Combat Stress, who support veterans across the country to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dale has been awarded the Veteran Storyteller of the Year at the charity's annual awards ceremony.
51-year-old Dale served for 24 years, including in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, but his struggles with mental health began whilst on deployment in Bosnia.
Aged just 18, he served in a United Nations peacekeeping force, and had to watch on, not allowed to intervene, as civilians were threatened or killed by war, with the memories not leaving him.
Dale's mental health deteriorated upon leaving the Army in 2013, with a doctor and cognitive behavioural therapy counsellor insisting what he was suffering was 'leaving the Army blues', rather than PTSD. A further eight years of struggle followed before he reached out to Combat Stress for help.
On his award, Dale said: “Combat Stress saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without the charity, and the same can be said for countless others. I know I can never thank the charity enough for what they’ve done for me, so instead I put my efforts into raising as much awareness as possible in the hope of helping to reach others in need.
“I am honoured to win this award, it’s a powerful reminder to me of how much I have helped to achieve since completing my own journey to recovery.”
Since his treatment, Dale has shared his story as part of fundraising campaigns, social media and as part of a film showing how military trauma affects people.
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We are so grateful to Dale, whose bravery and honesty has no doubt inspired veterans to come forward for help, as well as shine a spotlight on the life-changing difference our specialist treatment makes. Dale’s support has been invaluable to the veteran community, and we are delighted to present him with our Veteran Storyteller of the Year award.”