Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have described being "shocked to their core" by accounts from armed forces veterans battling mental health issues. The prince made the remarks during a keynote speech at a veterans' mental health conference at King's College London.
Speaking alongside his fiancee's recent charity visits, Prince Harry said many former service personnel "continue to suffer in silence", with their families also affected. However, he emphasised that he remained "continually inspired by amazingly positive outcomes" in the field.
The prince, who served as an army officer for ten years and was deployed to Afghanistan, drew on a private visit the couple made to Colchester Garrison. There they learned about the North Essex Veterans Mental Health Network, a partnership involving the NHS, charities, and the Ministry of Defence.
Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games for disabled veterans, stressed the need for medical professionals and charities to share best practice and resources. He said he had been "privileged to witness the journey that many men and women have taken from desperation and isolation to amazing achievements, regaining self worth".
He also sought to challenge the assumption that mental health is the principal issue confronting veterans, citing a recent King's study showing that the rate of post-traumatic stress among veterans is close to that of the general population, with just 1.6 percentage points separating them. He told delegates that "employers value veterans" and that they should be seen as "incredible assets to any business".
