Play tackles post-traumatic stress at The Old Market

Author of Shell Shock and PTSD survivor Neil Watkin, predicts that there will be a surge in PTSD cases in the UK following recent terror and disaster events.

Neil Watkin, who served in the British Army in Iraq said: “When I wrote Shell Shock – the diary of Tommy Atkins, PTSD was generally considered a condition limited to the armed forces. However, at its basic level post-traumatic stress is having a marked impact on the civilian population throughout the UK.

“Post-traumatic stress, a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, will no doubt effect increasing numbers of people. From Facebook moderators, used by the company to act as 'human filters' for the most horrific content, to witnesses, survivors and members of the emergency services caught up in the recent raft of terror incidents as well as those involved in the Grenfell Tower disaster - these are typical instances that potentially give rise to PTSD and other common mental disorders in response to witnessing traumatic events.”

The play Shell Shock aims to challenge the stigma of mental health issues like PTSD and visits Brighton at The Old Market on Thursday, June 22.

For tickets, visit: www.theoldmarket.com