Welcome to Proper Mental episode 90 part 1 with Jay Wheeler, a former soldier and street artist who creates under the name Love Art Global.
After 15 years in the army and multiple tours overseas, Jay was medically discharged with a diagnosis of PTSD. In part 1 of this episode Jay takes me through his childhood in Wolverhampton and the traumatic upbringing that led him to joining the army.
We talk about his early years as a squaddie in Germany and what it was like to go to war.
Jay talks me through his time in Kosovo, training Iraqi soldiers in Iraq and the horrors of Afghanistan that led to his medical discharge.
Jay’s story then takes us back to Liverpool where suicide attempts become a regular occurrence and we talk about the darkest days of Jay’s mental health struggles.
Jay and I recorded this in person at his home in Liverpool where all of this took place. He has an incredible story and an important story but it is not always easy to listen to so I’m putting it out in two parts so that you, the listener, can decide how and when you hear it.
If any of the content above might be too close to home or if today is not the best day to hear it then you can jump in at part 2, which picks up with art and recovery and works towards a happy ending.
It’s an incredibly moving conversation that I am immensely proud of and I can’t thank Jay enough for the faith and trust he has put in me to help him tell his story.
You can connect with Jay on all social platforms @loveartglobal
You can catch up with me at www.propermentalpodcast.com or connect with me via social media @propermentalpodcast.
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Thanks for listening!