A former soldier battling post traumatic stress disorder is to take on a massive half-marathon challenge.
One half-marathon would be enough for most people, but Mark Inman is to run a staggering 22 in 22 days to raise awareness of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He says he finds running helps him fight his own demons and deal with the condition.
Mark, of Swadlincote, is taking on the '22 for 22' challenge in October which coincides with the launch of his first book titled 'Squad Average' talking about his life with PTSD.
In the book, the 42-year-old talks about his 10 years in the army with the Staffordshire Regiment where he had an exemplary military record before leaving to spend three years as a private bodyguard for government officials in Afghanistan.
It was in this role that Mark, who works Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) as a physical activity practitioner, was shot and had to return home where he faced two years of operations to fix him physically.
However, he also had to deal with the mental scars of his experiences in Afghanistan, not just his shooting, but witnessing suicide bombings and being injured twice more, including in a roadside bomb attack.
Mark talks openly in his book about his diagnosis of PTSD and his ongoing mental health battle but also about the positivity he now has for life with his loving family supporting him and a job he enjoys.
One of the ways he has leaned to cope with his PTSD is through running and now he is upping his fitness regime ready for his big challenge.
The father-of-two said: "In my book I talk openly about my PTSD. I also talk about different medication I was put on that didn't help but almost exacerbated the condition. I decided to brush off my running shoes and started running.
"On my first run probably five years ago, I could only manage 3km. Since then I have been a very keen runner. I often run around Albert Village lake for hours.
"I currently run approximately 50kms a week. My running is my medicine. It allows me to put my mind straight. When I feel agitated, down, low or sad, I will run. I return home and my brain is reset. I continue to enjoy my day.
"I would say as well as my supportive family, my running saved my life. With this in mind it made sense to challenge myself. I want to test my fitness, resolve and mental strength and at the same time raise money for great charities.
What is post traumatic stress disorder?
Post traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder which is caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
Someone with the disorder can often relive the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks which can lead to feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt, according to NHS Choices.
They may have problems sleeping and find concentrating difficult.
Causes of post traumatic stress disorder can include military combat, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, being held hostage, serious road accidents, violent assaults, witnessing violent deaths.
Symptoms can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event or it can occur weeks, months or even years later.
How to get help for various organisations
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
Combat Stress helps serving personnel or those who have served in UK Armed Forces with a 24-hour helpline to talk about mental health. They can be called on 0800 1381619, text 07537 404719 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn't have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information. www.depressionalliance.org/
Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. studentsagainstdepression.org/
Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. www.Bullying.co.uk
"I have upped my running lately and feel strong. I will of course continue to prepare myself in the correct manner for the next few months. I am excited. I am also thinking of my next challenge for next year. I am seriously considering running 100km - straight.
"Yes I must be mad. However with the book and this challenge I want to inspire other veterans who suffer, that we still have some fight left in us. I have learnt to use my pent up aggression in a positive manner.
"I'm overwhelmed to see how far this project has come and long-term I want to do as much as possible to help sufferers and others understand PTSD and show them that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"The 22 for 22 challenge will see me run 22km - a half-marathon - every day for 22 consecutive days. The significance of 22 is that it is the reported number of veteran suicides a day. I will be raising awareness of PTSD and raising money for smaller military charities that can often go overlooked."
Mark has worked for the NHS for 10 years in his current role within the trust's specialist adult dietetic service, based at Hill Street Health and Wellbeing Centre,in Stapenhill, delivering a weight management course called 'In10sity' throughout the area.
He said: "It is a 10-week course designed at achieving five per cent weight loss. I deliver an education session which can include topics such as fats, sugars, benefits of exercise etc. and then we do 45-60 minutes of exercise. I love the interaction with patients and I seem to have a good rapport with them.
"Exercise is an essential tool when it comes to mental health in my opinion. When I was first diagnosed with PTSD after returning from Afghanistan I was given numerous different medications to try. None of it worked for me and I felt desperate.
"Due to my military background, however, I decided to turn to my roots and started exercising to help relieve tension and put some sort of order into my brain. I now run 60km a week – when I feel down or anxious at times, I pull out my running shoes and run – you could call me a modern day Forrest Gump."
Mark would welcome anyone, from any background to join him on any of the 22 legs of his challenge. Anyone interested can email him at Mark.Inman@MPFT.nhs.uk for more details. Those who would like to support his challenge but without doing any of the running can sponsor him by visiting his Just Giving page here.
Mark will also be signing copies Squad Average on launch day, Sunday, October 28, at the King's Head pub in Lichfield – the birthplace of the Staffordshire Regiment. The book can also be pre-ordered now on Amazon.
