Campaign to combat trauma of battlefield

Combat Stress, which has a base in Newport, has created a new film "Bring Them Home", which shows how mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can leave former servicemen and women withdrawn and isolated from family, friends and their community.

The film features a group of real-life veterans who have served in conflicts including Northern Ireland, Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sue Freeth, chief executive of Combat Stress, said veterans can be psychologically trapped in the past, even when they return home. They can be reliving their trauma on the battlefield through flashbacks, nightmares and constant anxiety. Left untreated, the trauma can destroy relationships, tear families apart and devastate lives.

“We see the impact of trauma every day in our treatment centres across the UK," she said."Veterans tell us how they struggle to leave the battlefield behind, making it impossible for them to adjust to life back home. Through this film, we aim to raise awareness of the role the public can play in helping us to bring veterans home, all the way home."

A team from 4creative created the film for Combat Stress for free. Working with a freelance crew and staff from post-production houses, the team donated their time and resources to make the film.

Jack Croft and Stacey Bird from 4creative said: “For this campaign we wanted to focus on Combat Stress’ role in treating veterans who suffer with the effects of war after they return. There is something terrifying about the idea that you can suffer flashbacks to what is very likely one of the worst moments of your life. That’s why we chose to focus on this symptom to bring the effects of PTSD to life for viewers.

“We felt incredibly grateful to create this campaign for Combat Stress and have been completely astonished by the generosity of people in the industry who worked for free to help make work for such a great cause.”