Former Cook manager on mission to help PTSD sufferers

The experience has inspired Bowen to set up a charity called PTSD At Work.

“After I finished my counselling this year, I had an urge to share my story. I don’t want someone else to go through it alone,” said Bowen.

Although he had access to support, Bowen tried to deal with his diagnosis alone.

“I didn’t tap into [the support]. A lot of people with PTSD feel ashamed, with a lot of guilt.

“Your mind says ’no one will understand what you are going through’, and there’s still a stigma around PTSD.”

The charity, which launched on 1 December, will fund training courses to educate small and medium-sized businesses on the impact of PTSD in the workplace, how to spot the signs in employees and then respond accordingly.

If PTSD At Work was not on hand to help, Bowen said each course of training could cost between £300 to £400 per person, and would be unlikely to be taken up by many business owners.

Bowen worked as a Thomas Cook cluster manager for about seven years before he moved to Leisuretime more than four years ago.

Visit ptsdatwork.org.uk to find out more about the charity.

If you or anyone you know requires counselling support, contact www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org.