The reason I’m taking part in the Walk Of America is because in 2006 I was wounded in combat. I lost my right eye and my shoulder. And they fixed me up when I left the hospital and I went back to work. But it wasn’t until four years later that I was diagnosed with a brain injury, PTSD and depression. For all that time I just had no idea why I couldn’t remember anything. I was losing my mind. I would just stay in my house and I wouldn’t want to leave because that was my only ‘safe place’.

Once I was diagnosed, at least I had the answers, but even then I didn’t get help because I didn’t really know where to go.

A team of wounded veterans have embarked on a 1,000 mile journey across America to spread awareness of military mental health, and raise vital funds to support those suffering from the invisible wounds of war. In order to reflect Expedition Patron Prince Harry’s vision that those who serve together should heal together, the team includes veterans from both the UK and the US.

John Mayhead is walking the first 2 weeks of the expedition. Like many on the team, he suffers from PTSD, chronic depression and anxiety. Here he talks about the struggles, both physical and mental, that the team have faced along the way.