Bushey man renews challenges to tackle post-traumatic stress disorder

A businessman from Bushey is set to launch another year of physical challenges to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after completing his first year working with gyms.

David Baum, who needed counselling after suffering bullying at school, said he set up the 365 Challenge after realising that his mental health had suffered, with the illnesses of his wife and children compounding the problem.

“I suffered flashbacks, typically if I saw one of the bullies in the street, or at a disco, or even in my nightmares, where I would wake up soaked in perspiration,” he said. “Often if I saw an article about bullying, or even if it was part of a story line in a film or television programme it would trigger memories.”

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Baum said he was inspired to do something after seeing an initiative in the United States, which challenged people to do 22 push-ups every day for 22 days in honour of the 22 American veterans who take their own lives daily.

He said he brought the idea to the UK, encouraging participants do increasing numbers of reps (repetitions) of exercises, uploading the results. He now plans to launch the 365 Challenge – The Next Generation, in which the reps will be timed.