As Remembrance Day approaches, one veteran is urging others to seek help for war-related trauma, a message born from his own near-tragic experience. 

Mike Taylor MBE, who served in the British Army for more than 18 years with the 16th/5th The Queen’s Royal Lancers, faced the darkest moment of his life in 2021. Having served in the Gulf War and completed three tours in the former Yugoslavia, the weight of his experiences became unbearable.

The 60-year-old said: “On October 2nd, it all stopped. I took a train to London, intending to end the mental trauma that had built up in my head, trauma I now understand was caused by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from years of service.”

He had made the decision to end his life. But a chance encounter with a homeless woman who noticed his distress changed everything.

Mike said: “That day, my life changed forever. I went home and was referred to the local mental health team, who eventually connected me with a veteran service provided by St Andrew’s Healthcare with the NHS.”

In November 2021, he began his trauma-focused treatment with the team at St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Outpatients Service, based in Northampton, which forms part of the Op COURAGE, delivered in partnership with the NHS and military charities. It marked the beginning of a new chapter.

He said: “Once I started treatment, hours turned into days, and days into weeks. Every moment of this journey made me feel stronger and more hopeful. I had some very, very dark days, but now my life is full of light. Op COURAGE and St Andrew’s Healthcare saved my life, and I will be eternally grateful.”

Now, Mike is using Remembrance Day to not only honour those who have died in service, but also to shine a light on those still living with invisible wounds.

He said: “Remembrance Day marks the end of the First World War and honours those who died in the line of duty. But we must also remember those still with us, those who may be silently struggling with everyday life.”

Research, conducted by King’s College London has found that approximately 7% of UK veterans meet the criteria for probable PTSD, proving that Mike is not alone.

In addition, between 2024 and 2025, Op COURAGE saw a 15% increase in referrals, supporting more than 20,000 veterans across its services.

Op COURAGE is the NHS mental health and wellbeing service for UK Armed Forces veterans, service leavers, and reservists. It provides tailored support from professionals with military experience, ensuring there is cultural understanding and empathy.

Sam Cooper-Evans, Associate Clinical Director for St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Outpatients clinic, works alongside team leads, Dr Georgina Geddes and Emma Battison, to support the Op COURAGE therapy service in providing specialist psychological treatment to veterans.

Sam said: “The debt of gratitude we owe to those who’ve risked everything in service to their country is profound.

“Mental ill health can affect anyone, but veterans face experiences few others will ever encounter or understand. This can be incredibly isolating when returning to civilian life. We often see veterans struggle with simple everyday tasks, such as answering the front door to unexpected loud knocking, and Guy Fawkes Night can be deeply distressing for many of our service users. The loud and unpredictable nature of fireworks may evoke traumatic memories, particularly for those who have experienced conflict or been exposed to explosions in the past.

“Unless you have been directly impacted, or know someone who has served, many of these issues go unnoticed, but we know there are many, many people out there who are suffering. That’s why our partnership with the NHS is so vital. At the heart of Op COURAGE is a simple but powerful mission: to help veterans live healthy, hopeful lives.”

Veterans, their family members or healthcare professionals can refer, or self-refer to Op COURAGE by calling: 0300 034 9991 or emailing: mevs.mhm@nhs.net.