Prince Harry who served for a decade in the British Armed Forces, and even flew combat missions in Afghanistan has launched a partnership with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense that will offer mental health support for military personnel.

Speaking at the initiative’s launch at the Ministry of Defense in London on October 9, the royal said, “The military has faced the challenge of dealing with things like post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.” He then added, “But, like many of you in this room, I have come to realize that we can all do more to promote the positive management of our mental health.”

Prince Harry aims to bring mental health into military training

“This is what the partnership between the MoD and the Royal Foundation is all about – placing mental fitness and mental health at the heart of the training and support provided to the entire defense community.”

 

“I am delighted that we are now going to make the most of what we have learned, and working with the MOD, fundamentally change the conversation around mental health inside the military.” – Prince Harry Today Prince Harry and the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon launched a new partnership to improve the mental health of all Armed Forces personnel. The joint initiative between the MOD and The Royal Foundation will see the Royal Foundation provide resources to the MOD to improve training and education around mental health. The training will emphasise the idea that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness when working as part of the Defence community.

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Resources and advice will be provided by the Royal Foundation to the Armed Forces to improve training and education in order to improve the mental fitness of armed forces personnel.  

Prince Harry continues to be a mental health advocate

This partnership is in line with the Prince’s efforts to improve the conditions of military personnel as well as tackling mental health issues in the general public. The partnership with the Ministry of Defense comes days after the Royal Foundation launched a £2 million investment in a company that will provide online mental health support for young people.

Sir Michael Fallon, the UK Secretary of State for Defense said during the launch of the partnership that, “Warfare’s often seen in terms of battles of the body. Today we recognise it’s also about battles of the mind…For those suffering from mental illness, the damage trauma inflicts is no less real for being invisible while the need to address mental, as well as physical shocks, is no less pressing.”

He then continued, “It’s not simply that the operational effectiveness of our forces depends on them being healthy outside and in. We have a duty of care to all who lay their lives on the line and a moral obligation to all who support them.”

Hopefully this effort would set an example for other armed forces in the world. Providing mental health support for veterans will not only help them become better people when they re-enter into society , it will also be a big boon for their families.

We need more public figures like Prince Harry.