One of our veterans who lost both legs while on active service in Afghanistan has taken the vital mental health awareness message to 125,000 Morrisons employees.
SSGC area recruitment manager James Rose, 33, gave an online talk to the supermarket’s UK staff on Thursday, May 13, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
James lost his legs when he stepped on a roadside bomb in Helmand Province in November 2009 and suffered with depression and anxiety on his return to civilian life.
Since then, he has set himself several challenges and successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2019, taking on the remarkable feat to raise money and awareness for veterans with PTSD.
This week’s speaking opportunity came about through his wife Naiomi, who works in HR for Morrisons.
“The talk is about trying to raise awareness and help people. In the early days for me, I didn’t speak about it and I wish I had.”
James said: “The talk is about trying to raise awareness and help people. In the early days for me, I didn’t speak about it and I wish I had.
“My advice would be that if you notice a drastic change in yourself, such as over-eating or under-eating, that is the time to get help, even if you feel OK.
“When I was first injured, I went up to 18st and I was drinking a lot – but I just thought that was just normal.
“It was when my wife introduced me to a rowing club and I struggled that I realised that I needed help. Eight years down the line, I am now climbing mountains for charity.”
You can follow James on Instagram at www.instagram.com/james7rosey
