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Chris and his eight-month-old dog Sasha, living in an improvised shelter outside a nightclub. [Courtesy]
A former member of the Royal Marine Commando, a homeless man, revealed how living in a makeshift shelter helps him overcome his PTSD.
The veteran, Chris, said that voluntarily leaving his comfort and living on a Belfast street had done wonders for his sanity.
Chris, who has been commando of the Royal Marine for 24 years, told Belfast Live that he preferred the "noise and confusion" to be on the outside.
And he added that locals had given him a lot of support since returning home with his dog Sasha three months ago.
He told Belfast Live: "I have PTSD, but if I start taking the medicine, it will turn me into a person I am not – I would prefer to do it.
"I do not like being inside, I really do not like being locked up. I would rather make noise, confusion, meet people, make them laugh and smile.
"I like the noise and I can sleep better with the noise.
"If I'm alone in a room, there are too many things in my head."
Chris, who has been homeless for seven years now, said the Royal Marines were supporting him after he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and offered him help.
But added: "I do not want to talk to anyone who reads a book, I prefer to talk to someone who read it himself."
Now he spends his days running, walking his dog for eight months and chatting with pbadersby before helping the clubbers to go home.
"I am so well known that I am not alone," he added.
"The people of Belfast are very kind and sincere people, and when they see someone sitting in the street who does not beg, who asks nothing and who helps people, they have time for them.
"I have a table and chairs from a local company and people come to chat with me.
"I am very well cared for. My phone is loaded in Frangos, Frangos and Wok-a-Moley, Lavery bouncers watching my stuff if I want to walk.
"Here, I like that, I sleep better.
The veteran said he was not claiming benefits either, adding, "I have a pension. I do not register, but if a friend pbades by and needs his house to be repainted or his garden finished, I will do it for them.
Former Union Officer and Unionist of Ulster, Doug Beattie, has long advocated for better support for veterans.
He said: "In Northern Ireland, people who have served in the military are currently experiencing a mental health crisis. Because of their security situation and increased awareness of PTSD, they are struggling to get help.
"That is why the UK government needs to implement tailor-made measures in Northern Ireland, run and funded by Westminster, to address the ever-growing mental health problem of veterans in Northern Ireland."
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Commando PTSDRoyal Marine
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