Banbury army veteran hopes second book will help others struggling with mental health issues

Gary Green, aged 30, a former army rifleman has overcome the horrors of war, a life-changing injury, PTSD and drug and alcohol abuse to become a published book author.

His inspirational story began in 2007 when he decided to join the arm.

Gary said: "I was blown up in Afghanistan in 2009. There were two IEDs in the compound wall which left me blind in my right eye which meant I couldn’t fire a rifle anymore."

Gary spent another year in the army before being medically discharged in August 2010. He started having anger issues when he returned home to Banbury, and didn’t realise what was really happening.

In 2011 Gary was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the subsequent two years saw Gary hit rock bottom as he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse.

Gary added: "I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2011, and overcame alcohol and drug addiction in 2014.

"Since then I have written and published my book 'Bombs for Breakfast'.

"Bombs For Breakfast was the culmination of my sobriety and abstinence from drugs.

"Since then I have written a self help book for veterans suffering with mental health and adjustment issues."

The book is called 'The Veterans Guide to the 21st Century,' and it covers such topics as anxiety, suicide, mindfulness, meditation and exercise among others.

It's 175 pages are filled with information and guidance written by a veteran for veterans.

Gary did not want any veterans to have to pay for the book, so instead of publishing it he has been emailing it out to struggling veterans online.

So far he has sent out 216 copies of the book through his Facebook page, Author Gary Green.

Veterans only need to send him a private message with their email address to the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GR7006/Gary added: "This is my part in trying to fight veteran suicide."

While the book was originally written to help military veterans he has given several copies away to civilians who struggle with mental health issues.

The book is also helpful for people dealing with mental health issues during the coronavirus lockdown.

He said: "The information, tips and experience is universal and can support anyone with mental health issues.

"During this lockdown it is even more important, when there’s a lot more spare time on our hands where we can ruminate on dark thoughts and feelings and can also fall into negative habits that can perpetuate negative thoughts.

"The tips and experience that I’ve put into the guide are all aimed at negating these troubling waters, at how to target and improve the aspects of your life that are in your control to improve, like your happiness and mental well-being.

"Now more than ever whilst we’re in lockdown it’s important to focus on the positives that we can bring to our lives and the use the time that we will never get back to make improvements to our lives that will make us happier when this is all over."

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