Richard is a former Major in the British Army\u2019s Coldstream Guards. He embarked on a quest to find respite from the psychological injuries of war by
\n walking the length of NZ.<\/p>\n
As a United Nations peacekeeper, Richard spent seven months in war-ravaged Central Bosnia during the winter of 1993-1994. <\/p>\n
He and his troops were tasked to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to trapped and starving civilians. This meant negotiating with militia leaders-
\n as well as criminals, warlords and their followers, some of whom were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. <\/p>\n
Their job also entailed protecting aid delivery routes, scouting for new routes and escorting UN and EU human rights monitors and war crimes investigators
\n through volatile areas. As well, they supported the numerous NGOs, such as Save the Children, Feed the Children, Medicin Sans Frontiers and Oxfam,
\n by providing security and protection. <\/p>\n
Richard\u2019s rifle company came under fire from machine guns, mortars and shells. At times, they had to return fire within strict Rules of Engagement.\n <\/p>\n
They also had to deal with \u201cmission creep\u201d as they maintained the balance between peacekeeping and peace enforcement. All this was done during a severe
\n winter and in mountainous terrain, on poor roads, with mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) an ever present danger and in full view of
\n the international media.<\/p>\n
At the peak of his command, Richard led about 220 men and women, including local interpreters. <\/p>\n
He took his responsibilities seriously and knew that every decision could result in the injury or loss of life of those under his command. These responsibilities
\n peaked when he and his men liberated and defended a besieged Muslim enclave in Maglaj. <\/p>\n
During his tour of duty, Richard witnessed the worst that people can do to each other as well as many examples of courage and selflessness. <\/p>\n
About six months after leaving Central Bosnia, Richard developed severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress injury. However, like many servicemen, he
\n considered mental illness shameful and harmful to his career. As a result, it took him eight years to seek professional help.<\/p>\n
In this interview Richard talks about how PTSI develops in some people and not in others. <\/p>\n
He explains how the survival \u201cFight, Flight, Freeze\u201d stress response hijacks the mind of the PTSI sufferer and how to release it. He explores how lack
\n of sleep, nightmares and flashbacks erodes the health, energy and willpower of someone in the grip of PTSI. <\/p>\n
This brings up the topic of suicide in the veteran community, and more broadly within NZ as a whole. <\/p>\n
Research indicates that about 200,000 New Zealanders think about taking their own lives every day. The comedian, radio presenter and suicide prevention
\n spokesperson Mike King says that around 2,000 people attempt it and a certain amount actually die by their own hand. (NZ has one of the highest
\n suicide and self-harm rates in the developed world.)<\/p>\n
Richard has long since left the Army. He is now a mental health counsellor on Waiheke Island where he specialises in the treatment of stress-related
\n patterns of depression, anxiety and anger, including recovery from trauma. <\/p>\n
A dedicated community volunteer, he serves on the committee of The Friends of McKenzie Nature Reserve and within the Waiheke Island RSA. He is actively
\n involved in campaigns to help Waiheke Island become the world\u2019s first predator-free and Dark Sky sanctuary urban island, as well as the campaign
\n to prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback disease.<\/p>\n
He is a keen proponent of eco-therapy. In this model, stressed out people heal themselves through activities that restore stressed-out land to health.<\/p>\n