PTSD awareness month and why talking can save lives

Every June, organisations across the world recognise (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) PTSD Awareness Month, with 27 June dedicated to PTSD Awareness Day. Awareness campaigns are important, but for many people the reality of PTSD extends far beyond a date on the calendar. It affects individuals, families, colleagues and communities every single day.

For those who have served in the Fire and Rescue Service, emergency response, rescue operations or other high pressure professions, the effects of trauma can remain long after the incident itself has passed. Whilst the public often sees courage, professionalism and resilience, what they do not always see is the emotional toll that years of exposure to tragedy, loss and human suffering can leave behind.

At Rescue2, this is not a subject we discuss because it is topical. We talk about it because it has touched our lives in the most profound way possible.

Our Managing Director, Shaun Jackaman, spent twenty years in the Fire Service. During that time, he attended incidents that most people will thankfully never experience. Like many firefighters, he learned to carry on, focus on the job in hand and support those around him. What he could not see at the time was how those experiences would continue to affect him years later.

Today, Shaun openly speaks about living with PTSD, alongside depression and ADHD, because he understands that conversations save lives. In many ways, that belief has become part of the DNA of Rescue2 itself. Our commitment to creating safe places and safe people extends beyond physical safety. It includes mental wellbeing, psychological support and helping people understand that asking for help is not a weakness. It is one of the bravest things a person can do.

The hidden impact of a career spent helping others

Most people understand that firefighters deal with dangerous situations. What is less understood is the cumulative effect of witnessing trauma repeatedly over many years.

Unlike a single traumatic event, which is often associated with PTSD in the public consciousness, firefighters and emergency responders are frequently exposed to dozens, hundreds or even thousands of distressing incidents throughout their careers. Serious injuries, fatalities, road traffic collisions, fires, medical emergencies and incidents involving children all leave an impression.

Many emergency service personnel continue to perform exceptionally throughout their careers. They remain highly skilled, dependable and professional. However, exposure to trauma does not simply disappear because somebody is good at their job.

According to the NHS, PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Symptoms can emerge immediately after an incident, but they can also develop months or years later.

For some firefighters, symptoms become noticeable while still serving. For others, retirement or leaving the profession can create the space for years of accumulated trauma to surface. The structure, routine and camaraderie that existed during their service may no longer be there, leaving many people feeling isolated at precisely the moment they need support most.

When trauma and grief collide

For Shaun, the challenges associated with PTSD did not exist in isolation.

The tragic loss of both of his sons, James and Henry, brought a level of grief that few people can imagine. As he and Myra have openly shared through Rescue2’s partnership with MenWalkTalk, these devastating losses intensified everything Shaun was already carrying. The trauma of years in the Fire Service became intertwined with grief, guilt, unanswered questions and an overwhelming sense of loss.

There is a tendency in society to view mental health conditions as separate, clearly defined issues. In reality, life is rarely that straightforward.

Trauma does not politely wait its turn. And grief does not arrive in isolation.

Mental health challenges often overlap, influence one another and become increasingly difficult to carry alone. What helped Shaun was not pretending everything was fine. It was not suppressing emotions or simply pushing through.

It was talking.

Therapy helped. Professional support helped. Honest conversations helped. Reaching out to trusted people helped. The willingness to acknowledge that something was wrong became one of the most important steps in managing what he was experiencing.

That message is simple, but it remains incredibly powerful.

Talking helps.

Why men often struggle to ask for help

Despite improvements in public awareness, many men still find it difficult to speak openly about their mental health.

In industries such as construction, utilities, engineering, energy, emergency services and industrial operations, there is often an unspoken expectation that people should simply get on with things. The ability to remain calm under pressure is valued and respected, but that same mindset can sometimes make it harder for individuals to acknowledge when they are struggling.

Many men worry about being judged. Some fear appearing weak. Others convince themselves that because they are still working, still providing for their family and still functioning day to day, their mental health cannot really be that bad.

Unfortunately, this way of thinking can prevent people from seeking support until they reach a crisis point.

The statistics surrounding male suicide in the UK remain deeply concerning. According to organisations such as Mind and the Samaritans, men continue to account for the majority of suicides in the UK.

Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a story. At Rescue2, we know this all too well.

What does PTSD actually look like?

One of the reasons PTSD can be difficult to identify is that it does not always present in obvious ways. Some people experience flashbacks or recurring nightmares. Others become withdrawn, irritable or emotionally detached. Sleep problems are common, as are difficulties concentrating and feelings of being constantly on edge.

In some cases, individuals may avoid people, places or situations that remind them of traumatic events. Others may throw themselves into work, believing that staying busy will keep difficult thoughts at bay.

PTSD UK provides valuable information on recognising symptoms and accessing support. What is important to remember is that PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is not a character flaw. It is not a lack of resilience. It is a recognised mental health condition that can affect anyone exposed to trauma.

The same compassion we would show somebody recovering from a serious physical injury should be extended to those recovering from psychological trauma.

Mental health matters in the industries we serve

At Rescue2, our teams work across some of the most demanding environments in the UK.

We support customers operating within power generation, energy from waste, utilities, industrial maintenance, infrastructure and confined space operations. Many of the people we work alongside spend long periods away from home, work extended shifts and regularly operate in physically and mentally demanding conditions, and the pressures faced within these sectors are significant.

Fatigue, stress, isolation and responsibility can all contribute to declining mental wellbeing if they are not recognised and addressed.

The Health and Safety Executive has repeatedly highlighted the impact of work related stress, anxiety and depression across UK workplaces.

Whilst physical safety remains at the core of everything we do, creating genuinely safe workplaces means considering the whole person. Mental wellbeing should never be viewed as separate from health and safety. The two are closely connected.

A person who feels supported, valued and able to speak openly is often far better equipped to manage both the physical and psychological demands of their role.

Why we support MenWalkTalk and PTSD Awareness Month

Our support for MenWalkTalk stems directly from our own experiences and our belief that early conversations can change lives.

MenWalkTalk provides free walking groups where men can meet, talk and connect without judgment or pressure. The concept is refreshingly simple. There are no expectations, no requirements to share personal details and no obligation to speak before somebody feels ready.

For many men, walking side by side feels far less intimidating than sitting face to face in a formal environment.

Sometimes conversations begin immediately. Sometimes they take weeks. Sometimes simply turning up is the first step.

As a business, we are proud to support the charity through financial contributions, training support and the use of our facilities wherever possible. More importantly, we support what the charity represents: creating safe spaces where conversations can happen before a crisis develops.

A message to anyone who may be struggling during PTSD Awareness Month

PTSD Awareness Month is ultimately about people, not statistics, not campaigns, not awareness posts.

People.

People who have seen things they cannot forget, people who are carrying grief, people who are exhausted from pretending everything is fine, people who may have convinced themselves that nobody would understand.

If any of that sounds familiar, please know that support exists and that there are people who genuinely want to help.

Whether that support comes from a family member, a friend, a colleague, a therapist, a support group or a charity such as MenWalkTalk, the important thing is taking that first step.

At Rescue2, we have seen firsthand how powerful a conversation can be. Shaun’s story is proof that even in the darkest periods of life, reaching out can make a difference. It may not solve everything overnight, but it can be the beginning of a path forward.

Our industry talks a lot about rescue, and rightly so. It is part of who we are. Yet some of the most important rescues happen long before an emergency call is ever made. They happen when somebody feels able to say, “I’m not okay.” They happen when another person listens. They happen when support arrives at the right time.

That is why PTSD Awareness Month matters. That is why mental health matters, and that is why we will continue supporting conversations that help keep people safe, both physically and mentally.

Because every conversation matters, and every life matters.