Prince Harry pays emotional tribute to servicemen suffering from mental health issues during visit to centre for injured veterans

PRINCE Harry spoke passionately about the need for injured servicemen and women to focus as much on their mental recovery as their physical today.

Speaking at the charity Help for Heroes recovery centre in Wiltshire, Tedworth House, the prince, who served in the military for ten years himself, 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.”

Harry, who has hinted at having faced his own psychological battles as a result of two tours in Afghanistan, was learning more about Tedworth’s ‘Hidden Wounds’ psychological and wellbeing service which has just marked its 1,000th user.

The service helps those suffering from issues such as PTSD but also depression, stress, anger, anxiety and early stage alcohol issues often in connection with leaving military service.

During weekly sessions which can take place either face to face or over the phone or via the internet, veterans and their families are helped to understand their emotions and given the tools to help them

get back to enjoying every day life.

Harry, who said he missed the “black humour” and camaraderie of army life, was in his element as he chatted to some of those benefitting from Tedworth House’s help.

Among them was Mike ‘Doris’ Day, 34, formerly a sniper section commander in the 4 Rifles whose back was broken when he was hit by a grenade in Afghanistan in 2009.

Alongside him was Eddie Beddoes, 42, an ex-infantry soldier who suffered terrible injuries after being hit in Bosnia in 1995.

Both have worked on a major project in the gardens of Tedworth House, building an Iron Age Roundhouse, since it started 18 months ago.

The project has not only taught them new skills such as carpentry and woodcraft but helped with the mental scars left by their respective ordeals.

“This is why this place helps, just getting out, getting my head clear” said Doris.

Harry chatted intently with them about what had happened to bring them to Tedworth House and their families and children.

“Let’s be honest, if it wasn’t for this? “Did you both turn to the bottle?” Harry asked the men.

“I did when I got out, for quite a few years” said Eddie candidly “but then you settle down and have a family. But then there are the ups and downs associated with that.”

“Was one of the biggest struggles accepting that there was a problem in the first place?”asked Harry.

“No only accepting but realising that there was something wrong in the first place.

“To be honest the most difficult thing was accepting that I would never get back the person I was before” said Doris.

” I was at the height of my career and knowing that I could never do that job again was a big shock, it still is.

“This place, just doing the woodwork and carving is so therapeutic. There is no one telling us what to do, it’s just as working as a team.

“I come up here once a month for four days and this place always brings out the best in me.”

Harry replied: “Getting back your mental health, mental wellbeing, your mental fitness is a really important thing. Rather than operating at fifty or sixty per cent you can operate at eighty or ninety percent and be a better person.

“Look at what you have achieved with this. It is remarkable. I thought I was good at carpentry, but clearly I’m not!”

Harry also chatted with Glyn Cassidy, 43, formerly of the Army Air Corps who suddenly underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in July 2015 and has been working on the project as a means to acquiring new skills and testing his limits.

He now has a chainsaw license and and qualifications in land management which he hopes to use when he leaves the military in May.

“This must give you enormous pride to say that I did this bit and this bit – even if it was on my third attempt! ” joked the prince.