Page 8 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

ARMY CADET FORCES
YNW ACF
THE PRESS UP
CHALLENGE
By SI Fiona McCallion
Friday 10th July was a significant day for Captain Mal Clark, as it marked the final day of his participation in the ‘25 for 25’ press-up challenge. The challenge is designed to raise awareness of mental health issues; participants record themselves carrying out 25 press-ups for 25 days and upload the videos onto social media on a daily basis. York-based Capt Clark endeavoured to make his posts even more engaging by filming them at different locations across the
city, including York Minster, York Racecourse and York’s Army Museum on Tower Street. As someone with 40 years of military service under his belt, his particular focus was on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
“This is a condition which affects a growing number of people,” he explained, “but service personnel who have been involved in conflicts both past and present are particularly vulnerable. In
fact, they always have been but didn’t want to talk about it, as they may have felt embarrassed or didn’t recognise the symptoms. Times are changing, though – thanks to the efforts of people like Princes William and Harry, talking about mental health problems does not carry the stigma it used to. It is increasingly recognised now that looking for help with your mental health problems is a strength,
not a weakness. My aim is to continue to reduce that stigma by raising awareness through my daily Facebook posts.”
...talking about mental health problems does not carry the stigma it used to
For the past 10 years, Capt Clark has been a member of the Permanent Support Staff (PSS) attached to B Company, based at Burton Stone Lane in Clifton. He joined the Army in June 1980 and rose to become the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire (a forerunner of the current Yorkshire Regiment). His last position before leaving his full-time military career was that of Welfare Officer, something which has given him a real insight into mental health issues.
“I still get messages today from people who were helped back then by just having someone to talk to and to give them support - many of them have been popping up with positive comments on my daily press-up posts, so the message is definitely getting out there.”
Capt Clark was eager to emphasise, however, that PTSD is not just a military problem. He said, “While my particular aim is to encourage servicemen and women to seek help with their PTSD, this is not just a military issue – people involved in any traumatic situation (including the NHS and key workers currently involved in the campaign against Covid-19) should recognise the importance of good mental health and feel confident about looking for help.”
He encouraged people seeking help to call charities (such as: The Samaritans 116 123, Mind 0300 123 3393 (Text: 86463) or Combat Stress
01372 841600), and asked those who could to make donations to these charities, in order to continue with their essential work.
8 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020