Thank you so much for all of the support you have provided me with over the past months. You have changed my life. There is exclusive content on my Patreon, it’s a great place to send me any questions and any help goes a long way to producing these videos: www.patreon.com/benpearson My book "Handcuffed Emotions: A Police Interceptor's Drive Into Darkness" available now: amzn.to/3vGZvis

I'll never know why people flock to famous people like the Kardashians when we have real hero's like Ben, such an inspiration. Keep up the good work mate!

As a trainee counsellor and a human being, this account is absolutely eye opening. You sir are so bloody strong and incredibly inspirational. You are not letting this pin you down and beat you. Even slow progress is progress - you are obviously moving in the right direction. Never lose sight of how far you’ve come - and how far you will go! ❤️

Teared up at the “I can’t see the future, but the next 40 minutes looks bright”! My father has PTSD and I have struggled with mental health and as long as those 40 minutes are bright that’s enough! Look for little wins and soon you overcome it. To quote my dad “life is shit, but it’s the little wins that make it worthwhile”

PTSD seems to hit the strongest people the hardest. When it’s overlaid with fight or flight triggers, that is totally debilitating. Literally destroying years of life for a previously happy successful person. The sad thing is, you don’t realise it’s PTSD unless someone points it out. Total respect to you for talking about your experiences, which is one of the hardest things to do.

Bless you mate, your helping soo many different people by doing this.

I'm so glad Ben found an outlet in YT, I think he's so brave talking about his battle with mental health. He is blessed in having a partner who clearly loves and understand him, keep writing those post it notes Mrs x

The comment about being in the shower to think about suicide then to think of how to overcome that is something similar to what I do in the morning.. Sending best wishes Ben, keep smashing that ptsd into submission.

The thinking of suicide and the thoughts that then combat them has just given me the goose bumps that only comes from someone who knows exactly how that feels. And the later thoughts have ultimately (thank god) been my saviour. Thank you Ben for constantly making me feel more normal 🙂👍 All the best as ever mate.

Ben, you have such a supportive wife! She sounds like an amazing woman. As a fellow sufferer, I know the importance of having a strong and supportive partner. These people are the true heroes!!!

Big up to Ben For sharing it and not bottling up And share his experience Not only that He gives advice

"I don't smell and taste blood as much as I used to". I have my ups and downs, but the next time I'm struggling I'm going to remember that line. Keep grafting - you're doing so much good.

Night terrors combined with sleep deprivation - the worst thing I experienced after a handful of bad jobs in close succession as a paramedic. The strength you show in talking about this is incredible Ben!!!

Hi Ben, hope your day has gone well for you today. I have been diagnosed with complexed PTSD and what you have said there in 15 minutes i HONESTLY hand on heart understand about 95% of that but I don't know how to explain it myself after 5 years of living a nightmare life some kind of sense now makes sense. I probably know that will make sense to you. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR STORY.. all the best for the future...

Hi Ben you explain PTSD in ways I can't so I get my wife to watch you to understand more of what I am going through with that and anxiety. I am a serving dog handler and relate to everything you chat about love these vlogs keep up the good work 👏

I never really comment on anything, I just watch in the background but after seeing your honesty, vulnerability and passion, I just have to say that what you are doing is amazing. I watch all your videos (football hooligans is my favourite!) and I am reading your book. Thank you for sharing your experiences and I look forward to anything and everything else you do.

I recognise so much myself, I have CPTSD, my sister leaves snottograms out for me too, my bedroom is always a mess in the morning and I get through lots of duvets and pillows, always covered in sweat and blood in the morning. I do the shower thing myself, I have a cat now, and looking after it has helped. You are so lucky you have a partner, I am doing it all on my own and without medication. Coping mechanisms I can share in private, drink and drugs are a no no. One I can share is a commentary drive in the car, it helps my head so much. Good luck you are a great bloke.

It takes a strong person to open up about their mental health. By you Sharing your struggles with PTSD so many there are so many who can gain from your story. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Thankful you have the support of your family and friends. Your partner is a great asset for you. Thank you so much for sharing. It helps me to understand more about PTSD.

Lots of respect to you Ben. Like yourself, I am a retired police officer who was medically discharged in 1994 with PTSD having been severely assaulted, where the person concerned was charged with attempted murder. Absolutely no help given to me by the force I worked for despite asking for same. All my help has been self taught via books by those who deal with PTSD and our wonderful NHS who I cannot fault at all. As society gets more fractured and people of various persuasions war with each other,guess what PTSD is going to be on the rise

Without a doubt, this channel is helping a lot of people. I don't suffer from mental health personally, but I do get down now and again. You have this uncanny knack of giving me a kick up the arse and telling me to get a grip. It works 👍

You are amazing; what you’re doing via this channel is equally so. My brother served in armed forces and has PTSD. I’ve suffered personal loss of a partner who committed suicide because of his mental health and PTSD. I have seen both ends of fighting and losing the battle. Thank you for educating, for caring and being compassionate.

Ben, you are a massive inspiration to all those who are as struggling with mental health issues. Being ex military, I see mental illness in our veterans and serving members weekly. May your battles be short and your war nearly won. stay strong by lad, thank you for your openness and honesty and brilliant videos.👍

Honestly cannot explain how much respect I have for you Ben. Talking about mental illness and explaining about your back pack etc is helping me understand myself at the minute. I know it’s not the same but I’m currently going through a very surprising divorce with my wife. We have a disabled son together and have been through so much together in the past 7 years our separation has just broken me. Up until now in my life I’ve been able to shrug things off and deal with the day to day going’s on (I.e work, caring for our son etc) and put whatever’s bothering me to the back of my mind when needed, but not this, this situation has completely consumed me and has been doing for the past three months. Listening to you talk and your I just want to say thank you Ben. You really are an inspiration for the work you are doing now, and all the work you did whilst in the police force.

I wish the reasons in my life for living outweighed the reason not to.... Everyday is a struggle....Depression and other forms of mental health can be more debilitating than a physical disability. I fully understand where Ben is coming from, and often you take each minute, hour and day at a time. I wish I had the motivation to wash the car, or do something more positive than crawling out of bed to escape through KZfaq videos each day... but then I wouldn't have come across Bens channel... and then you realise that your not alone and others have their struggles.... And then you see how much his channel has grown, almost 53,000 followers.... and how much everyone's support has helped him, and his comments inspire me to carry on, and deal with whatever life throws at me... Ben you are inspirational to a lot of us... It takes balls to open up the way you have.

This is a great KZfaq Channel. I am fortunate enough not to have had an actual mental health issue but I know people who have and people who are sadly no longer with us but this is a great reminder that mental health issues can affect anyone at anytime. Don't stop educating people on this and reminding us how important it is.

The shopping experience is the most relative thing I’ve ever heard in a long time, from a fellow sufferer for many years you’re doing amazing mate, busy mind always helps me but doesn’t solve the issue. Thankyou for being so open ❤️

Hi Ben I have been watching your KZfaq videos and today I have just listened to you audible book, I am not going to lie it brought me to tears but its a great book . At the beginning of this year I had such a mental breakdown I couldn't talk walk properly and I couldn't even hold a brew without either dropping it or throwing it because I lost control over my nerves. I spent months not being able or want to do anything. As you said there are so many things out there to help the general public if u have issues. I was on universal credit and they have a new system for the mental health and they help me push through and I told my self I am going start a new life and career for my self and now I am class 2 driver and on the way to becoming a class 1 driver and I have never been happier. When I told my self I need to sort my life out I had to look at what was a negative in my life and I had to cut them out of my life even if they are family. I couldnt of done it without the help from family and friends and staff at universal credit. Last thing I would like to say to you is keep doing the things that you enjoy even the simple of things it really helps with mental health. Your videos and audible are fantastic. Keep them coming. You mentioned you had a honda vfr 800. I always wanted one so when I bought one my self that was another positive that help me through my depression. Best of luck to you in the future you are inspiration for people who have mental health issues and to the ones who don't realise they have it.

Dude your a legend. I personally find that the people to delete, block or blank you when they find out about your struggle with mental health is struggling themselves and are afraid they will be found out. If your ever doing a trip to Ireland on the motorbike let me know we have a small social group of fellow emergency service personnel from all agency's who do random spins on the bikes your more than welcome to tag along. Stay strong man better days ahead.

Me and my dad would watch interceptors all the time every episode. You was a inspiration to me when I was younger, loved watching you on interceptors. I have applied to be in the police because of you and the rest of the people who do programs like interceptors. Legend, stay strong.

Another great video i just want to thank you. as someone who has been dealing with PTSD/Anxiety/Depression, for a long time it really is hard to express how just getting up and dealing with the day is, i have had many times people think im faking it because my wounds are on the inside and not outside. You are an inspiration for many people i have been watching your videos for a few weeks now, and they have helped me just getting out of bed and trying to move forward, its the little things that help, like this week i started going to the gym again for the first time in 4 years, Watching your videos helped me make that step. I hope you continue to keep healing and keep motivating people.

Time is a great healer and just stick with it Ben. Eventually you do get better, and it is well worth it, although life is currently on pause. PTSD is horrible and it's good that you have produced this video. Whenever the pain of life overcomes the perceived pain of death get in touch with me. PTSD is a disorder of the brain, not a disorder of yourself.

That anxiety mind fog is something I never knew existed, until I got sick the summer before last. Mine came on for a strange reason. After years of abusing my mind and body with booze, shit food, lack of exercise and what not, I started exercising loads and living cleanly, but got so into it I lost four stone in 12 weeks and something just snapped (I have quite a bit of trauma from stuff that’s happened in my past) and I can remember standing in the supermarket, and I couldn’t remember a single thing I needed. Nothing. Just a blank Called the doctor out; finally (I lived in malta at the time, and private meant they would come to work). And she checked my blood pressure and, despite outwardly being the healthiest I’d been in years. Target weight and very fit, my blood pressure was 180/120. Her face dropped like a stone and she sent me straight to hospital. Two years later and I have some kind of anxiety linked to blood sugar, is the best way I’ve managed to understand it. But it’s not a “mental” anxiety in so much as I’m consciously depressed or even worried. I’m the happiest I’ve been in years (still have nightmares etc). But unless I regularly exercise, and don’t go more than a few hours without eating something small, I get pounding headaches and my memory goes to shit. Sorry for over sharing. I doubt anybody will ever see this. But it does help me, watching your channel. Knowing that these things are very real and not a figment of my imagination.

Thank you. Hearing you talk has hit me hard, but in a positive way. I've only just this year been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder & PTSD after 30 years of fighting my local health authority, telling them I'm not "right" - hearing you talk about night terrors, post its, panic, tears, suicide & the push back to try & live normally proves that it's not just me, I'm not on my own. I'm not quiet about my mental health struggles & talk very openly about what I face & have found that some people who previously told me they cared & it didn't matter, have mysteriously disappeared from my life. You sure learn who your real friends are don't you?? Thank you for being so frank & open about the difficulties you face, stay strong & all the best, Jojo x

Mate, so much of this relates! You pulled me over years ago, when I lived in Keighley, can’t remember what I’d done but I was probably nipping on a bit, I’d had a rubbish night, felt crap all day, everyone seemed to have it In for me and when I was sat there you spoke to me like an actual person, didn’t ticket me or anything, just basically told me to calm it down and be careful. I found out about 5-6 years ago after everything came crashing down, I suffered from C-PTSD. I didn’t get help untill I tried to end it, and a couple WYP lads took me down from a bridge on Asquith Ave I think it was. But I went through a phase where I’d lost everything, i was homeless, sleeping rough, on the drink and in complete meltdown. The night terrors I still get, not as often, sometimes not as violent, other times it rattles me and takes me a few days to get back into things! And the whole scheduling only a short time ahead, thats exactly what I still do, The other one that gets me, someone says something or triggers something, and I go from being a 34 year old test driver, knowing what I’m doing, having my head in the game and being fine, to being a scared 10 year old and I literally don’t know how to do something that I do day in day out! Keep doing what your doing mate, it will all help, it helps not just you, but people like me aswell!👌🏼

Thank you Ben for all the videos. I too suffer with mental health ( stress, depression and PTSD) and have done for nearly 10 years but it wasn’t till your first video and showing it to my girlfriend that I now have asked for help. Every week I get asked from my girlfriend how am I feeling and how is my backpack. I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you are doing to raise the awareness of mental health. LOVE THE VIDEOS.

This sort of thing is why, I've subscribed to this channel, having battled far too many overwhelming mental health conditions and suicide attempts myself. Watching this is a breath of fresh air. So many fake accounts showing the fun and glorious sides of life, but this is just so real and honest and I have no doubt that this is going to save many many life's. Do NOT stop!

keep up the good work. I am struggling whit mental health and have been for years if not my hole life (i am now 38) whit wife and two children. You will never be alone in the mental health struggles you have. Remember you are not alone in this and you videos do help people in there lives. all the best from Sweden. I don't have PTSD but i recognize myself in what you talk about in this video.

Thank you for all the years you spent on the force. You’re the guys who come running when we need help, and now you’re separated from all the arseholes you had to deal with, you’ll see just how many normal people appreciate you.

Thank you for posting this Ben.

Ben, well done on everyday. This whole series is so inspiring

Ben, mate you’re a strong and inspiring guy, I applaud 👏🏻 you for your strength and honesty about your health and show that manhood is not all about toxic masculinity and being the biggest and baddest! Your videos show that real people are the ones that share and understand empathy and self worth! I watched your “the job that broke me” video and I bawled my eyes out as you provided such a candid and emotionally accurate picture of the horror that you faced. I felt so much for you not only as a police officer but as a human for what you had to deal with. You’ve a natural gift for story telling and I wish you all the very best for the future Ben! Thank you mate! You put my own issues and world view in a different perspective! Keep doing what you’re doing so well! And keep the vids coming as they’re amazing!

These short but powerful clips are absolutely class! I love listening to you and always look out for a new one when I’m on here. Keep up the hard work mate, we’re all behind you 💪🏻

Bless you, you are such a strong person talking about this x

Shame on the 6 people who gave it a 👎 Clearly the 6 people have no empathy for anyone else but there selfs. Ben love your vlogs and everyone who has watched this and will be watching it will always be by your side supporting you and look forward to the next video👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Good on you for sharing this

Another brilliant video Ben , well done , and well spoken mate .

You're a top man Ben, it's great that you are able to talk about mental health. It helps you offload, and it let's other people see they aren't struggling alone. Much love buddy.

Such an inspiration Ben. Loving all the vidoes and can't wait for more there are so interesting and eye opening. Thank you.

you are so brave to be able to talk about your issues so openly

Truly courageous stuff there man, hope you get to the other side, so many of us a fighting battles with ourselves, it's good to hear your getting though it.

Your support system is everything, but who couldn’t love you Ben 💜

Thank you for sharing, thank you for being so open and honest , thank you 🙏

It takes real courage to talk about mental health. My Dad served for 19 years in the Ambulance Service, and I know he found it very difficult to talk about what he went through. You are amazing, getting up and facing each day should never be underestimated, ever.

I always love it when another video comes out huge respect for being able to make videos like these ones, imo your an inspiration Ben and these videos are amazing keep doing you man 💪🏼👍🏼

You are an inspiration Ben, thank you dearly for speaking about this.

Proper legend, a lot of what you have said certainly makes me stop and think. Just bought your book, thank you Ben.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ben. I truly appreciate it, and hope you can get better and heal

Well done Ben on ur videos u are helping so many people , I’m so glad ur taking the baby steps to reach ur goals on recovery xx

Good on you Ben! Not only are you healing on a day to day basis, your doing it while educating people on a very serious stigma that's a reality for yourself and a lot of others out in the world. Solid effort, thank you.

Thank you for sharing this. I can relate to some of the things you have said. You’re not only helping yourself by talking, but lots of other people too ❤️❤️❤️

Found this really sad. Keep going Ben, time is a healer!

A very helpful account and a lot of courage to lay it bare like that. All the best to you on the journey.

You are so strong mate, hope you realise how strong you are. You will be inspiring so many people, you have no idea.

Watching Police Interceptors on KZfaq, wouldn’t have guessed you’d have your own channel too. Really opens your eyes to what you don’t see involving the roles of a police officer. All the best Ben 💙

Ben, I’ve been hooked on your stories since the very first one and think that your honesty and no ego attitude is beyond amazing! This week I’ve been lucky enough to have completed a mental health first aid course and referenced you and your channel a few times to our group due to how insightful your life has been and is. Keep up what you’re doing mate, absolutely smashing it and your following is testament to your strength!

Thanks Ben, this is helping me more than you can imagine 👍

Although I don’t have PTSD myself, I can relate to needing the energy (mentally) to get out of bed from time to time. I sometimes feel like I wish the world would go away when I’m in bed and not wanting to wake up at times ❤️

Truely inspirational Ben,that was probably the best way I have heard PTSD described It is so hard being a man and opening your inner self up to friends and family let alone the world and I commend you for this. There is a light at the end of the tunnel Brother keep going.

Rally amazing and inspiring mate! Please make more content! Keep up the good work!!

You are a massive inspiration to a lot of people are suffering Ben. Keep fighting that good fight mate.

Ben thanks for sharing your story of dealing with mental health, to be honest it was like my own dragging myself out of bed etc. not great but nice to know im not the only one that has that train of thought. Please keep pushing through even when it gets hard know your doing something worthwhile and I really like your videos on here. You seem like a great person and i truely hope your health improves and you and your family do well in the future.

I managed to get to 1:30 and had to stop and comment. Ben, you are a f*cking bright star in a dark world, mate. Your wit, your transparency and your outlook is top notch. I dare say we all have shitty thoughts, I know I do quite often, but it's only because we realise what we've been through and how f*cked up this world truly is. The world is a much brighter place for you being in it, and I mean that sincerely! I just ordered your book, too. You deserve every penny, mucka ❤️

wow ben, i didn't know things were that bad for you bud. hope you get thru it and out the other side a better person. we are all rooting for you mate!

Im still watching this most days to remind me x ben you lot have helped me so much x

Thanks for being an inspiration for us Ben, I love your content and it really is changing my perception of what people go through on the other side of the fine line of mental health.

You’re one of the best people I’ve come across and I’ve always watched you on police interceptors and thought you were fair. Would love to have a beer with you

Love the videos keep going fella

Absolute Legend mate! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Be true to yourself your an inspirational person Ben. The amount of people you will be helping by sharing your life will be phenomenal. Massive respect to you 👏

Ive found it really eye opening watching your videos, keep up the amazing work 👍

My presence on KZfaq always seems to be as a viewer so whenever I do comment, it’s because I truly have felt touched. Whenever your videos pop up in my feed I can’t seem to click faster. You have a way of telling stories thats just so captivating. You can be hilarious and classically British but also so real and raw. You’ve what I and a lot of other people have been missing from our lives here on KZfaq or any medium of consumption. Keep getting yourself better. Don’t feel like you need to keep this up for us at all. Keep being your true self and stay happy my friend

A true inspiration thank you for everything. Massive support and thank you from myself and my other half.

Doing a great job Ben much love

Bless you Ben. Be proud of how far you have come. You are inspirational for people suffering ptsd and other mental health issues.

Ben you are such an inspirational person, I myself suffer mental health issues but your videos are up lifting when it comes to a hidden illness. It shows that you have a great personality and things will get better for you, It shows by the subscribers that there is alot of support out here that take an interest in what you have been through.

I have a genuine respect for you as a person as well as all you have done and are going through Ben. It helps to hear someone talking about the same kind of feelings you are going through and hopefully it helps you being able to talk about them to us the viewers

Truly an inspiration. Stay safe 👍❤

This is brilliant. I know you’ve been given bravery awards etc during your service but for me this is far braver. It takes true courage to post on here about your struggles and to be as open and honest as you (always) are. Well done mate 👍🏻

Well said, once again you’ve smashed it. Good work.

Ben, thank you! This is likely the most accurate description of PTSD I’ve ever heard.

Best KZfaq channel out there, thanks for being open and honest. All the best for you, your family and friends Stay strong 💪

I love meeting people who aren't scared to voice that something wrong with them - true inspiration

What a brilliant explanation 👏🏼👏🏼

Ben I can safely say you are an inspiration and an absolute legend, I love the channel and wish you all the best. I’m just waiting to start my journey, my local constabulary starts recruiting this morning and I will be applying. Onwards and upward 💪🏻👍🏻

Keep up the good work Ben

Thanks to you, Ben. You have opened our eyes to the mental health issues you are suffering. We care about you and I am full of admiration for all the people you helped in your career, all the people whose lives you made better when they were hurting. I hope every day gets better for you, my friend. God bless you.

I’ve commented on a few of your videos before and always watch them. This video for me is one I’ve put off for a week due to personally experiencing PTSD. I love how open you are about it and definitely is something to admire. Should be more people like yourself and I truly think the rest of your life may not be easy but I think it will be amazing. Keep doing you, you’re helping other people with the videos but also give yourself credit where credit is due. 👍🏼

You describe it so perfectly and conscisly. Hugs, Ben 🤗

Ben, your experiences are so very close to mine. It is comforting to know that what I went through wasn't "just me". I'm sure you are helping many out there who are in the earlier stages of mental illness. I went through my journey out of policing over 20 years ago. I've made a different life for myself, raised my family, and eventually became a better person for them. The journey wasn't easy, but it has been worth it. Keep strong, and thanks for helping to get past the stigma. Regards from a fellow ex Toller PC.

You are a top bloke Ben. Please keep making the videos as they are helping a lot of people. I send from the bottom of my heart, the very best with your mental health and I hope it continues to improve.

Thanks for doing this video Ben , I volunteer for a mental health charity and we need more people like you to speak about it. Well done