Trauma

Abuse leaves scars, but so does trauma. Many men live with the impact of events and experiences that changed their lives forever. Trauma does not fade with time. It lives in the body and mind, showing up as fear, anger, nightmares, flashbacks, or a feeling of being shut off from the world.

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD):   Men who lived through violence, institutions, or combat in the armed forces often carry PTSD. The memories come back in nightmares or sudden flashes, leaving men feeling trapped in the past. PTSD can destroy sleep, work, and relationships if left untreated.

Veterans and the Armed Forces:   Many men who joined the military did so to escape abusive or traumatic childhoods. But service life, especially combat, often added to those wounds. Veterans may live with a double burden — childhood abuse and military trauma — leaving scars that shape every part of life.

Personal Loss and Grief:   The death of a loved one, the loss of children through separation, or the breakdown of family life can leave men overwhelmed and unable to cope. Grief is often hidden, but its weight is real.

Violence and Breakdown:   Some men have lived through street violence, prison violence, or family breakdowns that left deep wounds. Even years later, the shock and fear remain.

The Link with Addiction and Homelessness:  Unresolved trauma often drives men towards drink, drugs, or the streets. What looks like “bad choices” is often an attempt to numb pain or escape memories. At The Forgotten Boys, we see beyond the label and understand the root.

Our Work:   We work with men carrying trauma in all its forms — from institutions, from the armed forces, or from personal losses. Our approach is trauma-informed and grounded in lived experience.

Trauma is not weakness. It is the mark of what you have lived through. We are here to help carry it with you.