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This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Michele's family tree shows military men from both world wars, so it was no surprise when two of her sons joined the military. Tours of Iraq, and physical and mental injuries has meant that Michele has struggled to keep her sons safe since they left the army, and after numerous suicide attempts Michele's own mental health has suffered significantly.

A significant injury in Afghanistan followed by a serious medical mistake led to life changing injuries and Terrie's battle to care for her severely disabled son.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, suicidal thoughts and vivid flashback description which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Kate was training to be a nurse with the RAF when she met her husband-to-be, John, an RAF Police Officer. They both completed tours of Iraq and John went on to complete one more and also two tours of Afghanistan. Each time John returned, Kate started to notice slight differences in his character, such as an increase in drinking and frequent nightmares. She was grateful of both her RAF and medical training as it helped her understand the mental shift between home and work that John was having to manage. John sought help but was told there was nothing medically wrong and he was to carry on as usual, which he did. It was the birth of their son that Kate thinks caused John’s nightmares and flashbacks to intensify. He sought help again and this time was diagnosed with severe PTSD and signed off work, but without his job to provide a sense of purpose John struggled to function. John tried both CBT and EMDR therapies but Kate feels they both made the situation worse. John is now on a medication pathway. Kate describes this as an incredibly isolating time as no one knew what she was going through. She felt she could hardly leave John alone, especially when he started having suicidal thoughts. However, when she joined Band of Sisters she found a supportive group of women with shared experiences. She even managed to attend a weekend away which really helped her realise how stressed she was. She describes finding Band of Sisters as a real turning point which helped her realise she needed to take care of herself too. John has also found help through Help for Heroes and has attended a few courses and is now a qualified bushcraft and survival instructor. John has recently had a cancer diagnosis and Kate reflects that, sadly, the cancer process has been much smoother than the PTSD. Kate feels it is incredibly important for others to hear their story so they know they are not alone. She is even compiling a book.

CONTENT WARNING: This interview contains graphic details of injuries, which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation. Jenny recounts how she met her now-husband, Daniel, when they were training with the Bolton Sea Cadets as teenagers. At the age of 19, Daniel began training for the Royal Marines. He was deployed shortly after completing his training and undertook two tours in Afghanistan. During his second tour, Daniel stepped on an IED and sustained injuries to his left hand and foot, resulting in amputation and requiring multiple skin grafts. Jenny describes the moment that Daniel’s parents arrived at her workplace while Daniel was on tour and anticipating the worst news. Throughout her interview, Jenny provides detailed information about Daniel’s injuries and surgeries. Jenny and Daniel are now married with one child and another on the way, and Dan has started his own business providing inspirational speaking to others who have experienced similar events. This account highlights the practical aspects of adapting to life-changing injuries and achieving personal and professional goals. Jenny would like her children and others to learn about the ‘war of our time’, which is why she has chosen to share her story.

Teri and her husband live in Devon and I was lucky to meet her. Mark's experiences led to PTSD, and he suffered five strokes. Teri is a great character and she defined PTSD so succinctly. Mark now plays wheelchair rugby, and Teri plans to teach art therapy with Help for Heroes, but their struggle to have a normal home life has been a long one. She supplied some photos which are worth a look.

Lisa Kirkpatrick’s husband Gary had an accident on an army training exercise. Engaged at the time and with a new baby, Lisa struggled to cope and Gary's mental health was suffering. Watch as Lisa describes the support they received from Help for Heroes' Band of Sisters which led to her becoming an ambassador for the charity.

Sandra Bremner comes from Ballyclare a small town in County Antrim, where she met her husband Sammy. Having served army in the 1970's and then in the prison service, he struggles with depression and PTSD. Sammy and Sandra have been involved with Help for Heroes' Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters for a few years now, and Sandra describes how much it has helped them both.

Heather Lake recounts her experience of meeting and marrying Andy while they worked together as Army Chefs. They became engaged and married within six months. Heather had noticed indications of Andy's mental health issues from the start. Andy had completed tours in Northern Ireland and Bosnia prior to meeting Heather. During his tour in Bosnia, Andy sustained injuries from a building collapse, leading to his discharge from the kitchen he was working in at the time. Heather describes one significant event that occurred while Andy was changing his daughter's nappy, resulting in social services removing him from contact with his daughter for 18 months. Andy received an official diagnosis of PTSD only a few years ago and experienced physical decline after his injuries. He is now often confined to a wheelchair. Heather anticipates that an upcoming operation might improve their situation. Heather found support through the Band of Sisters, which she joined through Andy, a member of the Band of Brothers. This group offered her a sense of community and non-judgement. Heather's story reflects dedication and commitment to her family’s happiness. The Band of Sisters provides her with the support she needs as she continues to support her family.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD and addiciton which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Kirsty’s partner, Glenn, completed two tours of Afghanistan but it was a tragic accident during a training exercise that turned their lives upside down. Glenn was parachuting down from 30 000 feet when he was blown off course, landed in a tree then fell to the ground. The result was a devastating spinal injury. After a period in hospital, Glenn comes home and Kirsty works hard to keep their lives on track while holding down her job and taking care of Glenn. The couple had never really spent a great deal of time living together before this and it puts a strain on their relationship, especially when Glenn is prescribed morphine which he struggles with. Glenn spends a period at the Headley Court rehabilitation centre where he receives regular medication and physiotherapy but without access to this at home, Kirsty notices a big difference in Glenn’s behaviour. He becomes increasingly angry, he won’t leave the house and Kirsty starts to suspect he has PTSD. Kirsty suggest they get a dog and this becomes a big help as Glenn has to take responsibility for it. Kirsty is even impressed that she managed to get Glenn on a holiday to Cuba. While Glenn is still managing tremendous pain he is also working hard on his rehabilitation and can walk for short periods. Kirsty reflects that they both had to grow up very quickly to be able to deal with this trauma. This experience made Kirsty realise she wants more from her life and she is now training to be a nurse. Although Kirsty joined Band of Sisters she admits it took her a while to fully engage. She wants to share her story so other know about the help and support available, she wonders if she had asked for help sooner might this have been an easier process.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.

Louise Reynolds has been married to Chris Reynolds for 20 years, sharing a life shaped by his service in the infantry as a rifleman and ambulance driver. Originally from Doncaster, Chris served three tours, working gruelling shifts and long days. His deployment to Iraq during Operation Telic was particularly harrowing, with limited resources and intense danger. In one instance, he saved a fellow soldier who lost his arm in an accident. Meanwhile, Louise entered military life with a romanticised vision of adventure and travel, but quickly realised its reality was far different. Constant upheaval, isolation, and the loss of her own identity made Louise find solace in the close-knit community of army wives in Germany.  Chris’s return from his final tour marked the beginning of an uphill battle. Withdrawn and irritable, he struggled with PTSD. Despite the medical team’s support, the army’s dismissive attitude repeatedly undermined his recovery. Sent on a life-fire exercise in Canada despite his worsening condition, Chris called Louise in a state of distress, leading to his urgent return to the UK. Facing stigma and little support, they fought for his medical discharge after 15 years of service. Adjusting to civilian life also proved challenging. Though the Combat Stress charity provided some treatment, Louise often felt alone in managing the daily impact. She recalls Chris longing for visible scars as proof of his suffering to a world that couldn’t see his wounds. Their turning point came through Phoenix House, Band of Brothers, and Band of Sisters. Louise highlights the importance of these networks; Chris’s journey led him to speak at a school about mental health. Now, Louise, dedicates herself to fundraising for mental health initiatives, determined to ensure that other families receive similar support.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   German Uli met her partner Alex while he was working for the Professional Service Guard. He had previously served for almost 18 years with the Royal Logistics Corp and Uli knew bits and pieces about Alex’s time in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone. In 2015 Uli noticed that Alex was becoming quieter and retreating into himself, he admitted that he was feeling depressed. Alex was diagnosed with PTDS. It was recommended that Alex join Band of Brothers for support and that Uli join Band of Sisters. She didn’t think she would need assistance herself but wanted to find out more about supporting someone through PTSD and depression. Uli is incredibly open about Alex’s symptoms of depression, anxiety, being hyper alert and burying his emotions. The more stories she heard from the Band of Sisters, she became incredibly grateful that Alex was never physically or verbally abusive. Alex’s treatment was slow and it took a very long time, and a great deal of pain to manage, before he was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia, or chronic pain syndrome. Thankfully, he had Uli to chase and advocate on his behalf but he now lives with extreme pain on a daily basis. Uli describes how she used to try and be superwoman for Alex but it all became too much. She worried so much about him, especially when he had suicidal thoughts. Uli sought help and was given medication and also undertook therapy with Hidden Wounds which she says was brilliant. The Band of Sisters has also been a terrific support. Not only is there always someone there who knows what you are going through, Uli has also been involved in numerous fundraising activities such as trekking in Cambodia. But Uli knows the road ahead is still difficult, she confesses she has had dark thoughts herself and only by opening up did she realise these were likely caused by her medication. She admits she never puts herself first and hopes that by sharing her and Alex’s story it will help others to reach out and find help.