31/12/2024
Always looking for the next good thing, and proud to be a part of VINT - Veterans In Need Together
Our plans for 2025 are so big we needed a little help, a new year, a new facilitator.
Meet Mark Smith Counselling 💚
I left the Armed Forces in 1997 after serving 9 years with HM 1st Bn Coldstream Guards and served 3 operational tours of duty. On leaving I chose to seek any line of work that gave me the buzz of adrenaline I had become accustomed to and this often led to me getting in trouble and on occasion falling foul of the law. I spiralled over a period of years, and my mental health declined leading to misuse of drink and drugs and a period of homelessness leading to a su***de attempt in 2004. Since then with the love and support of my wife (who I met that year) I worked to educate myself at University to gain an understanding of mental health issues, in particular PTSD that I had been diagnosed with as a result of my military service. I now work as a trauma counsellor / Psychotherapist in private practice and more recently work voluntarily to support members of VINT with their mental health , whilst also being a group member. I find my work extremely rewarding and the veterans I have met at VINT have become family, with shared experiences and a willingness to embrace change. It’s a honour to have been asked to co-facilitate and support with taking things to the next level.
