Prince Harry and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon have launched a new partnership to improve the mental health of current and former Armed Forces personnel.
The joint initiative between the MoD and the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry builds on the MoD’s recently launched mental health and wellbeing strategy, which outlines how the department will improve the mental health of its serving military and civilian personnel, their families, and veterans.
It will see the Royal Foundation provide advice and resources to the MOD to improve training, education and information sharing for the entire Armed Forces. The work will include annual briefings, websites and specialist support to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health.
Defence Personnel will be encouraged to use psychology and well-being in the same way as athletes do to maximise performance; emphasising the idea that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness when working as part of the Armed Forces.
The resources will be integrated into staff training courses and briefing processes across the Armed Forces from the middle of 2018, and will be widely available online, to strengthen the mental health support and services already available to Defence personnel.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “By looking after our mental health, we are building a more effective armed forces that helps keep this country safe. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen are the best in the world but we will only maintain that if we are as serious about improving mental health as we are our combat skills and cutting-edge technology. So, partnering with key groups like the Royal Foundation is an important part of our strategy to improve the wellbeing of our serving Armed Forces and veterans.”
image © Crown Copyright 2017
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