Vulnerable Veterans At Risk On Bonfire Night
North East charities are urging firework users in Teesside to spare a thought for veterans this Bonfire Night.
North East charities are urging firework users in Teesside to spare a thought for veterans this Bonfire Night.
Help for Heroes say the loud bangs created by fireworks can cause some former service men and women to have flashbacks and panic attacks.
It’s caused by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can cause veterans to imagine themselves being back in a dangerous situation.
Precious Charuma is Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner at Phoenix House in Catterick, she’s being telling TFM just how difficult this time of year can be.
She said: “It can be very frightening, very confusing as well.
“You can imagine if someone’s maybe in Tesco and there’s a sudden loud noise and then it feels like you’re right back in Afghanistan or Iraq.
“It can be really frightening, not just for them, but for people around as well.”
Precious says there are things people can do if they’re around a veteran who may suffer from PTSD.
She recommends playing music in headphones so it drowns out the sound of the loud bangs created by fireworks.
She also says ‘grounding’ can help – this is when people talk to panicking veterans to ‘bring them back to the current moment.’
It comes after a warning from the NHS in the region, who’re also warning about the impact of loud noises on vulnerable veterans.
Anna Burke, NTW’s Consultant Nurse for Military Veterans Mental Health, said: “While the majority of us will be enjoying the fireworks and the night’s celebrations with family and friends, some of the sights, sounds and atmosphere can remind some veterans of difficult experiences while serving on the front line.”
“If you think you need help or someone to talk to about those experiences and how they could be affecting you now, there is always support from ourselves and other organisations like Combat Stress to get you through this difficult time.”
Veterans can speak to Help for Heroes in Catterick about their Hidden Wounds programme, which offers free and confidential advice for families living with mental health challenges.
They can be reached on 01748 831865, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or email on hidden.wounds@helpforheroes.org.uk.