Very moving. I love that he's had the courage and faith to live his life and face the dark moments which in the end, confront us all. I have total respect for him.

Well spoken Steven. Great for kids (and adults) to see a tough guy like May talk about his feelings.

Gone are the days of thinking psychs are for weak people, only the strong and brave have the guts to talk about hard stuff and get better

Very powerful video and words from Maysie.

He may have done some things in his past that he's not proud of, but he shows admirable maturity here.

20 minutes ago, DubDee said:

only the strong and brave have the guts to talk about hard stuff and get better

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

15 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

The horrors they faced are basically unspeakable. My heart goes out to them. War is total bulldust.

 

Thanks for posting that clip @Demonland, it was well worth the listen.  Shame about the crappy muzak, though.

33 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

cmon mate, I was trying to send a positive message about how it's healthy and brave to talk and mental health.  I obviously was not trying to insult previously generations or war vets

us men from previous generations were never encouraged to discuss this stuff and I don't think it's healthy

40 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

Different times different pressures, soldiers are fighting for their lives and the lives of their mates as well as killing those you are fighting against. I have watched numerous interviews with people that fought on the front lines a lot of them ended up in psychiatric wards years after they returned home they didn’t have access to support and thought that they were weak if they asked for it.

We now live in a far more enlightened time where help is more readily available and we celebrate successes yet anxiety, depression and the suicide rate remains at an alarming level. 
Thank goodness that people are building the confidence to speak out and share their personal issues in an effort to help others.!!!

Couldn’t be prouder of this guy. A good reminder to really connect with those around you to stay OK/help them stay OK.

PTSD is a very different mental health concern than anxiety, depression etc. therapeutic solutions actually encourage victims not to talk and re traumatise individuals.
 

There are new medication trials and different therapies to assist with trauma, talking therapies have not traditionally been beneficial for ex servicemen. 
 

apples and oranges

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

cmon mate, I was trying to send a positive message about how it's healthy and brave to talk and mental health.  I obviously was not trying to insult previously generations or war vets

us men from previous generations were never encouraged to discuss this stuff and I don't think it's healthy

I have no problem with May telling all, perhaps you should not have used the words brave and strong.

1 hour ago, DeeZone said:

Different times different pressures, soldiers are fighting for their lives and the lives of their mates as well as killing those you are fighting against. I have watched numerous interviews with people that fought on the front lines a lot of them ended up in psychiatric wards years after they returned home they didn’t have access to support and thought that they were weak if they asked for it.

We now live in a far more enlightened time where help is more readily available and we celebrate successes yet anxiety, depression and the suicide rate remains at an alarming level. 
Thank goodness that people are building the confidence to speak out and share their personal issues in an effort to help others.!!!

51 minutes ago, Demonsterative said:

PTSD is a very different mental health concern than anxiety, depression etc. therapeutic solutions actually encourage victims not to talk and re traumatise individuals.
 

There are new medication trials and different therapies to assist with trauma, talking therapies have not traditionally been beneficial for ex servicemen. 
 

apples and oranges

And how would you know that.

Edited January 5, 20233 yr by drysdale demon
deleted

Thanks for posting this 

As Maysie said too many (guys in particular) have traditionally been very reluctant to “show weakness” by opening up about depression in particular.   His opening up is actually a sign of strength and all kudos to him for doing this. A sign of a true leader.  
 

Regarding the parallel discussion re PTSD particularly in the military I think times have changed dramatically since WW2 and the even Vietnam.  So many tried to “be strong” and denied their truly horrific experiences and sadly so many ended with suicide or family destruction. Thankfully although they still suffer terribly the Afghanistan and Iraq veterans now at least are offered far better mental health support than veterans of previous conflicts.  Still, their traumas and anguish surely cannot even start to be appreciated by those of us who were spared those traumas.

Thanks Steven for having the courage to share your story.   ❤️💙❤️💙

28 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

And how would you know that.

From his words, Demonsterative seems to have some sort of knowledge in the area.  Please let it go Drysdale.  

43 minutes ago, Deebymistake said:

Please let it go Drysdale.  

I have, last post on this thread, I know from personal experience in both Asia and on the streets of Melbourne.

1 hour ago, drysdale demon said:

I have no problem with May telling all, perhaps you should not have used the words brave and strong.

I’m very happy with those words. Bravery and strength do not only refer only to physicality, but the bravery to talk about personal stuff when it’s easier to say nothing and suffer

He's gone up a couple of notches in my book.

Well spoken Maysie.

6 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

The treatment of our Vets by consecutive governments and bureaucrats has been an absolute disgrace and though it seems to be getting better I get the impression it's still not where it should be. Penny pinching a-holes, and the cynics would say not enough votes in it

Why didnt he clear the air with the supporters about his barney on the street with Melksham?

I dont really care but it would be interesting to hear it from him.

4 hours ago, Demonsterative said:

PTSD is a very different mental health concern than anxiety, depression etc. therapeutic solutions actually encourage victims not to talk and re traumatise individuals.
 

There are new medication trials and different therapies to assist with trauma, talking therapies have not traditionally been beneficial for ex servicemen. 
 

apples and oranges

I don't agree with your assertions and do not think they should be used as a knowledge reference by others.

Sorry only skimmed this thread. Did May get moved to the veterans list? 

3 minutes ago, The end is nigh said:

Sorry only skimmed this thread. Did May get moved to the veterans list? 

.....Smart Alec!! 

7 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

So all those exservicemen who went thru wars and don't want to talk about it  were or are not strong and brave, hmm.

I see where you're coming from - perhaps a better emphasis would have been that even now it takes a certain type of courage to be able to open up about your vulnerabilities, even to a professional. Like you, I dislike the implication that only talking about it is strength and courage.

But damn I'd wish people coming back from war had had the option to talk if they wanted, without all that old noxious pressure to keep their pain to themselves because society craves clean heroes and politicians crave controlled 'memory'.

But I'll also never deny the fundamental honour and quiet kindness of not burdening others with a trauma they can't possibly comprehend.

And adds to it. Congratulations. Really happy for him, hasn't always been easy.