Gary Hayes discusses PTSD and emergency worker mental health support

Former police officer and soldier Gary Hayes has spoken publicly about his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), describing how he attempted to take his own life after leaving the force in 2014. In a television interview, Hayes detailed the traumatic events that led to his condition, including his work identifying victims of the 2005 London bombings and his experience of childhood sexual abuse. He said he had received no mental health support during his service and is now campaigning for better provision for emergency workers through his organisation PTSD 999.

Hayes described how he was placed into a temporary mortuary after the London bombings to help identify victims. He recalled a specific incident involving a father coming to view his son, which affected him deeply. He also spoke about the stigma surrounding mental health in the police and military, saying he saw asking for help as a sign of weakness. He said he had been sexually abused as a child, twice, and only recently saw his abuser convicted.

The interview also touched on the wider issue of male suicide. Hayes noted that 75% of suicides in the UK are men, and that it is the biggest killer of men under 50. He said that men often struggle to talk about their feelings, and that trust and listening are key. He called for more intervention points for frontline staff, including the prison service, and for education in schools.

Hayes said PTSD is not curable but manageable, and that he has learned to recognise his triggers. He praised his family for their support. The interviewer, Lee Anderson, expressed frustration that some people use mental health as an excuse to avoid work, while genuine sufferers struggle to get help. Hayes responded that he understands the condition because he lives with it.