Prince Harry Applauded New Mental Health Training in the British Military

Prince Harry praised a new mental health initiative in the British military, which will see all military personnel receive mandatory "mental fitness" training.

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  • Prince Harry praised a new mental health initiative in the British military, which will see all military personnel receive mandatory "mental fitness" training.
  • Harry called the move "an amazing step forward for the British military."
  • The Duke of Sussex spent 10 years in the British Army.

Prince Harry has applauded a new mental health initiative in the British military, calling the introduction of compulsory "mental fitness" training for all personnel an "amazing step forward." British minister for defence people and veterans Johnny Mercer announced earlier this week that mandatory training would begin on April 1, 2021, as the Evening Standard reports. 

this picture taken on december 12, 2012 shows britains prince harry r makes his early morning pre flight checks at the british controlled flight line at camp bastion in afghanistans helmand province, where he was serving as an apache helicopter pilotgunner with 662 sqd army air corps britains prince harry confirmed he killed taliban fighters during his stint as a helicopter gunner in afghanistan, it can be reported after he completed his tour of duty on january 21, 2013 afp photo pool john stillwell photo credit should read john stillwellafp via getty images

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The Duke of Sussex, a 10-year veteran of the British Army, said in a statement, "There should be no difference between how we view our physical fitness and mental fitness and training both will help our service men and women excel, as well as being best prepared for what they may face, in any situation."

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Harry previously spearheaded military mental health initiative HeadFIT, launched in April this year, which provides online self-help tools for members of the armed forces. Speaking about the military's new mandatory training, he said, "Over the years it has been an honour to work alongside the service chiefs and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on projects such as HeadFIT, and I am delighted to see such a significant step to protect and strengthen the potential and resilience of our military."

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"Thanks especially to Johnny Mercer and to the teams of people who work tirelessly to protect and support our troops and their families' health and wellbeing," Harry continued. "Mental fitness will become a daily practice adopted by all of us as a means to unlock potential in every aspect of our lives."

Mercer said in a statement, "While some personnel already have a good experience, because they have good leaders who take this area seriously, for me the important thing is to equalise the experience for all."

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Emily Dixon
Emily Dixon
Morning Editor

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.