Harry urges war veterans to heal mental wounds
NINE months after hinting that he still suffers disturbing flashbacks from his time in Afghanistan, Prince Harry has urged military veterans to focus on their mental recovery.
The fifth in line to the throne was speaking during a visit to the Help For Heroes’ recovery centre at Tedworth House, Wiltshire.
Harry, 32, said: “Getting back your mental as well as your physical fitness is a really important thing. One of the biggest struggles is accepting that there is a problem in the first place.”
In April last year he spoke about things he had seen in Afghanistan.
He said: “It’s always in there and if you have dark moments in your life those slides will pop up.”
Tedworth’s Hidden Wounds psychological and wellbeing service has just treated its 1,000th user.
It helps those suffering from depression, stress, anger, anxiety and alcohol issues often connected with leaving military service.
During weekly sessions, veterans and their families are helped to understand their emotions and overcome their demons. Harry, who said he missed the black humour and camaraderie of Army life, seemed in his element as he chatted to some of those who have received help at Tedworth House.
Among them were Mike “Doris” Day, 34, whose back was broken by a grenade in Afghanistan in 2009, and Eddie Beddoes, 42, who was injured in Bosnia in 1995.
Both have been helping to build an Iron Age Roundhouse in the gardens of Tedworth House.
Mike said: “This is why this place helps – just getting out, getting my head clear.”
Harry also met John Geden, who learned beekeeping at Tedworth House and went on to set up his own honey business.
He gave the Prince a jar and told him he could raffle it if he wanted.
“Raffle it? I’ll be putting that on my toast in the morning!” Harry said, laughing.