In New Zealand, Veterans Affairs helps former service people who qualify for mental health support, and the Defence Force has a 24-hour helpline. Walker though, was used to keeping his own counsel. After leaving the Defence Force, he suffered post-traumatic stress after years of running on adrenaline, and anxiety. He says some anxiety was a good thing. It drives you to not let the team down. It drives you to move forward, and in the Defence Force, those are awesome things to have. But that driving was me running away from trauma.
In 2015, depressed and feeling worthless, Walker tried to end his life. While he was recovering he made himself a promise.