‘Broken’ war veteran exposes horrific suffering of soldiers battling PTSD

Escaping the horrors of war to return home to your loved ones is a focus many soldiers, right across the world, are likely to keep at the forefront of their mind. But for some, that’s only half the battle – and they may continue to suffer for decades after.

Many war veterans are left “broken” and “damaged” by the effects of war, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety – which not only affects them, but their families too. 

Perhaps you remember watching your grandfather, father or another close relative withdraw into themselves? They may have struggled to connect, or speak about the horrors they witnessed at war? While some make a full recovery with time, others aren’t always so lucky.

Now, one former commando has thrown the treatment of those heroes into doubt – as he tells his own heartbreaking story, in the hopes of changing the way soldiers are treated when they make that brave cry for help.

Whether it was sparked by fighting in World War II, the Vietnam War, or the Iraq War more recently, PTSD can have lasting and destructive affects. Writing for Starts at 60 previously, blogger Michael Grogan recounted his own memories of his relatives struggling after surviving the war.

He explained: “We are of a generation where so many of us would have had parents and grandparents who fought in both world wars. Many, like my father, rarely spoke about their experiences, and I know my father revealed more to his grandchildren than he ever did to me. When they came back from the war there was no welfare service/counselling service for them to tap into, it was go back to your old life and make the best of it.”

Read more: There was no support for previous generations of war veterans

ABC’s Australian Story will present the hard-hitting episode ‘When the War Is Over’ on Monday night, as Archibald prize-winning artist Ben Quilty meets war veterans struggling with the impact of war.

One former commando, Mick Bainbridge, has been battling crippling PTSD after five overseas deployments. However, when he eventually sought help and asked to move to more of a training role, he claims he was told to go back to Afghanistan or leave the Army altogether.

“It’s easy to call someone crazy to discredit them, but I knew what my rights were, and I dug my heels in I was fighting for my rights. I was fighting as hard as I could,” he says on the show.

After meeting him, Quilty admits: “The fact that Mick had been in second commando unit meant that he was someone, he was really someone. And when I met him he was a broken no-one.”

Speaking of his condition previously, Bainbridge told The Stand: “When our veterans are injured, they are kicked out without any fanfare, they’re shown the back door and disappear. It’s an unsightly thing that they don’t want out there.” 

After making his plea for a transfer, a battle broke out as Bainbridge challenged authorities, and he claims it eventually led to a malicious report to police that triggered a terrifying raid on his home.

Aussie politician Jacqui Lambie is calling for support for Bainbridge, and reveals her anger over his treatment on the show.

Read more: Vietnam veteran’s proposal to reduce veteran suicides

“I have had many veterans come to me because they have been done over not just by Defence but by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” she says. “What happened to Mick was even more outrageous. He had been completely done over.” 

Bainbridge eventually chose to enrol in a law degree, in an effort to fight for his cause, and he’s now taking on the entire system. Using his newfound legal knowledge, he has become NSW RSL’s youngest councillor ever, and is keen to help other veterans fight for their rights.

“We desperately want to curb and stop the suicide rate. I’m not going to stop until I do,” he adds.

According to SANE Australia, people affected by PTSD “may feel anxious and highly vigilant, and have intrusive thoughts and memories of the trauma. With treatment, people with PTSD can make a full recovery.”

Australia Story airs on Monday night at 8pm on ABC.

Have you or anyone you know suffered with PTSD?