Dean Yates, a former foreign correspondent for Reuters, was once renowned for his resilience and courage.
He successfully covered monumental incidents like the Bali bombings, the Aceh tsunami, and Israel’s conflict with Lebanon.
Dean admitted, “I just thought I could handle everything. When you’re able to perform at a high level under extreme pressure for a long period of time, there’s the evidence, right? I am unbreakable.“
However, his steadfast demeanor masked a growing inner turmoil. It became evident when two of his local staff in Baghdad were tragically killed by U.S. forces in 2007. Dean found himself wrestling with guilt and accountability.
“I felt responsible for their safety, and I failed to protect them,” states Dean.
His emotional struggle intensified after the Wikileaks ‘Collateral Murder’ video surfaced, revealing the harsh reality behind the deaths of his colleagues, Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh.
During this period, Dean’s deteriorating mental state took a toll on his home life. His wife, Mary Binks, recalls, “He lost his temper over small things like a door banging or a dog barking. And he’d go to bed for days on end.“
After hitting rock bottom, Dean sought professional help. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and “moral injury,” a term used to describe psychological harm incurred from moral dilemmas related to traumatic experiences.
“It was at that moment that I could just feel this weight starting to lift,” says Dean, realizing the extent of his lack of control over the tragic events that befell his colleagues.
Their son, Patrick, feels the home atmosphere has improved: “For now, the house is at peace. There’s been a ceasefire.“
Today, Dean is committed to speaking openly about workplace PTSD. He hopes that his experience can help change societal attitudes and assist others grappling with similar issues.
