Harry: Troops’ mental state as vital as fitness

PRINCE Harry will join forces with the Defence Secretary today to tell soldiers about the importance of dealing with mental health problems.

The ex-Army captain and Sir Michael Fallon will say that mental fitness is just as important as physical condition when it comes to fighting wars.

The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will bid to improve education about mental health in the UK’s forces.

Sir Michael said: ‘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 about our combat skills and cutting-edge technology.

‘This is an important part of our strategy to improve the wellbeing of our serving armed forces and veterans.’

The scheme comes after Harry gave an extraordinarily frank interview earlier this year about coping with his mother Princess Diana’s death.

He said he hoped to ‘smash the stigma’ and kick-start a national conversation about mental health.