This week on Wellbeing, we speak with Roger Helle, a Vietnam War Veteran about his PTSD journey. The Vietnam War occurred between 1955 and 1975 and is significant as it was with this veteran cohort that PTSD was first officially recognised. Roger began life in a dysfunctional home with a mother who was an alcoholic, an upbringing which he says later contributed to his PTSD. Roger joined the Marine Core at age 17 and after basic training in late 1965 was shipped off to Vietnam. Despite believing he received good training, Roger reflected that “Vietnam was a different kind of war" and was just 18 when he saw his platoon sergeant shot in the head with a 51-caliber machine gun bullet. With all these experiences of fear, anger, and grief those in Vietnam had to just stuff it down inside themselves and keep going. After returning home for the second and last time from Vietnam in the early 1970’s, Roger tried to forget the experiences he had during the war but relived Vietnam every night while sleeping and soon suffered from alcoholism. Through his faith, Roger has been able to manage his PTSD and still keep living life. Today, Roger is involved with the not-for-profit humanitarian organisation and ministry "Vets With A Mission".

In this episode, Roger talks about his service in the Vietnam War, the war time experienced he had while there, how he dealt with the trauma while in Vietnam, how his Vietnam experiences affected him in the form of PTSD on his return, how his PTSD effected his relationships, and his journey to being able to manage his PTSD.

"I had never seen anybody die before and just the things that I witnessed just in that short forty-five minute fire fight just left an impression in my mind." - Roger Helle on this episode of Wellbeing

Tune in next week when we speak with a Falklands War veteran about their PTSD journey.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com 

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing