In this interview with Spectrum News, Patrick Welch shares his experiences with PTSD as a child and Vietnam War veteran. He describes feeling isolated after returning to civilian life, and how peer support from Vietnam Veterans of America gave him “a home,” helped to break the stigma of mental illness, and empowered him to advocate for and support other veterans experiencing mental health issues.
Click the “Source” link to view the full interview from Spectrum News. The interview was part of Spectrum News’ #IAm1in5 series, which seeks to fight the stigma of mental illness by sharing local stories.
“I admit straight away that I have PTSD and it doesn’t mean that I lived an abnormal life. I’ve lived a very successful — personal and professional — life and so can other people,” Welch said. “In fact, most people do lead very, very good lives with mental health issues.”