Talking therapy puts Yorkshireman Marc’s life back on track

Now, following treatment from NHS Talking Therapies North Yorkshire, he is looking forward to a brighter future – and has set up a support group for men in the same situation.

“It felt like I was standing at the gates of hell when I was first referred for treatment,” said Marc, from Catterick Garrison. “It was a very tough time, but the therapy was amazing.

“I really appreciate the help I got from NHS Talking Therapies, and now I want to support others. I’m here for them. Helping people helps my own wellbeing, but it also makes me happy.”

NHS Talking Therapies is part of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. It provides a range of talking therapies designed for supporting people with symptoms of depression, panic, anxiety, stress, worry and scary thoughts.

Marc’s anxiety struggles first became apparent as a child, when he found sitting in large groups – such as in a classroom or assembly – overwhelming. His need to “get up and escape” led to dozens of skipped lessons and, ultimately, Marc left school without any qualifications.

“I didn’t realise my feelings were caused by anxiety at the time – no one did. Back then, people didn’t really recognise the symptoms, they just thought I was disruptive,” he said.

Marc was determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by joining the army – and had a long-standing ambition of becoming a physical training instructor.

However, anxiety again became a barrier to success after he secured a place to study sport at college. Within months he had dropped out.

He then enlisted in the army at 17 but, after eight weeks of training, he discharged himself. It was a decision he blames on his anxiety as well – and which he immediately regretted.

A succession of jobs followed before Marc was eligible to re-enlist. It went well at first but difficulties started after he was posted to Germany, and he ended up going AWOL.

Marc later transferred to a different regiment and, after three years, left the army and joined the guard service with the Ministry of Defence.

He spent several happy years as a dog handler, among other roles, before becoming a truck driver for a new company. Sadly, his anxiety again caused problems.

The company was sympathetic to his struggles and offered Marc an alternative job as a groundworker, which he enjoyed. Then, in 2021, he moved to a similar role with the MoD.

Despite his initial happiness, his mental health started to deteriorate, so he switched jobs again – and went back to truck driving.

“Anxiety can make you make some very strange decisions,” he said. “I knew truck driving wasn’t for me, yet I did it again. I lasted about six weeks before the stress became too much.”

With his anxiety “through the roof”, Marc sought medical help.

“I was very up and down at that time, which led to arguments with my wife, and then my mum died,” he said. “I lost my mum, then my marriage. I found myself in such a dark place.”

Taking part in Talking Therapies, however, helped turn his life around.

Joe Greensmith, a psychological wellbeing practitioner, supported Marc through 12 weeks of specialist treatment – helping him to develop skills and techniques to manage his anxiety.

“I had tried to manage my anxiety with exercise, but I needed a structure to help me manage my anxiety. Joe helped so much.”

Marc is keen to use his experience to help others – and recently set up a men’s mental health support group in Colburn with a friend. The drop-in group, named Together Strong, is held in the village hall on the third Monday of every month from 7pm.

“One person’s mental health challenges can affect other people within their family and friends,” said Marc who is now planning to train as a mental health counsellor.

“I can’t help every single person, but if I can make a difference to one person’s life, that would be good. Joe helped change my life, and I’d like to do the same for others,” he said.