Prince Harry gave a moving speech on mental health during his speech to honour Veterans Day. The Duke of Sussex attended the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum's Salute to Freedom Gala in New York City with wife, Meghan Markle. On hand to present the 2021 Intrepid Valour Awards, Harry gave a rousing speech on the importance of importance of service members paying attention to the type pain that isn't necessarily physical.
“I'd also like to speak briefly about something else that, until recently, has existed in the darkness: the invisible wounds that we are all susceptible to. The scars on the inside that no one sees. For too long, invisible injuries were treated as just that—invisible—and were destined to be swept under the rug at the risk of shame, guilt or just a lack of understanding.
“Yet we now know that the mind is just like a muscle. It experiences trauma and pain, whether in conflict or at home, whether in uniform or not. It needs training…as well as recovery and care, no matter who you are and no matter what you do. Our physical health and mental health are one and the same, and just as much as we aspire to be physically fit, so too we need to be mentally fit.”
Harry concluded by explaining this is the reason why he launched HeadFIT, a program centring on the mental well-being of military members. The 37-year-old has had his own experience in the forces while he rose to the rank of Captain within the British Army.
When speaking to the crowd, Harry said he understands why “service members often feel isolated” after he, himself quit the forces. He feels years of a mission-driven lifestyle can take its toll on a person and leave some people longing for “self-purpose, focus, service to others and being part of a team” upon their return home.
“My experience in the military made me who I am today, and I will always be grateful for the people I got to serve with—wherever in the world we were,” Harry added.
