A FORMER Bradford police officer who has spoken frankly about his mental health struggles is determined to make sure emergency service workers do not suffer in silence.
Ben Pearson, who worked for West Yorkshire Police for 19 years and who was a regular on Channel 5 show Police Interceptors, knows all too well the toll the job can take.
He retired two years ago after being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. It came after years of seeing devastation at fatal collisions, plus the loss of his parents in quick succession.
Now, he’s made it his mission to help other people who are struggling. In a whirlwind two years, he’s written books, started a hugely successful podcast and YouTube channel, and is also in the process of starting the ‘1965 PTSD Awareness' charity.
The aim is to pay for private treatment for emergency workers.
“It’s taken me two years now to get to a certain level in myself and for my family, I don’t want anybody else to go through what I’ve been through,” said Ben, who lives in Bingley.
While things are getting better for the dad-of-two, he said he still struggles when he hears police sirens.
He added: “I can’t watch things like Motorway Cops, I don’t watch Interceptors anymore because it’s stuff that I don’t need to put myself through again.”
Ben said it had been a struggle to get himself back into civilian life, but he’s determined to help others.
“We won’t give up doing what we’re doing for PTSD awareness to make a better future for all those in the emergency services,” he said.
It comes at a time when those who put their lives on the line are faced with ever-increasing stress levels and battles for better pay.
Ben said: “They’ve got less staff, there’s moaning constantly on TV about police are not fit for purpose, or the ambulance service is crumbling. All these people come to work with the best intentions, they come with their heads screwed onto their shoulders, wanting to help people and they’re just knocked from pillar to post.
“They want to get home on a night and think ‘I’ve made a difference to society’.”
Ben will be at a ‘Cops & Cars’ event in Sherburn in Elmet today (Saturday) in aid of his charity, where the stars and cars of Police Interceptors and Traffic Cops will be in attendance.
He also has two ‘evening with’ events coming up in Skipton and Otley.
Visit benjamin-pearson.co.uk for further details.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel