Prince Harry launches mental health tool overseas

Prince Harry helps to launch new online mental health service for first responders in Australia set up by Invictus Games co-founder – and says he knows how ‘critical it is to train your mind as a muscle’

  • Prince Harry, 36, assisted in launching mental health tool, Peak Fortem
  • It is online resource for first responders to help work through stress and trauma
  • Joined Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and issued statement in support
  • Royal said in military he saw how ‘critical it is to ‘train your mind as a muscle’  

Prince Harry has helped to launch a ‘critical’ new mental health tool in Australia for frontline workers.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, joined Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to assist in launching the Peak Fortem, which is based on a successful UK model, and is an online resource for first responders and their families to help work through stress and trauma.   

In a statement released to support to tool, which was set up by Invictus Games co-founder David Wiseman, Prince Harry referenced his experience in the military, and said: ‘Our mental fitness is one and the same as our physical fitness. 

‘Serving in the military, I saw first hand how critical it is to train your mind as a muscle – not only to endure challenges and stresses but to excel, grow and build resilience in all aspects of life.

Prince Harry has helped to launch a ‘critical’ new mental health programme in Australia for frontline workers. Pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hosting a special Time100 talk on Tuesday October

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, 22 January 2021 (pictured)

‘Peak Fortem is the product of teamwork, dedication and a commitment to supporting and strengthening communities of all kinds – values upheld by Australia’s first responders.’

It comes after the royal worked alongside the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence and  spearheaded a mental fitness tool aimed at helping the military with their well-being in April last year. 

The former soldier previously appeared in a video on HeadFIT.org, which was designed to offer round-the-clock access to self-help tools to enhance mood, drive and confidence. 

Taking the concept from this programme, Peak State, the royal then partnered with Fortem Australia to help launch new tool, Peak Fortem. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Captain General Royal Marines visits 42 Commando Royal Marines at their base in Bickleigh to carry out a Green Beret presentation at Dartmoor National Park on February 20, 2019 in Plymouth

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has released a statement, encouraging people to utilise the free service available in Australia.

‘I want all our first responders to understand that each of you matter,’ he said. ‘Your health matters. Your wellbeing matters. Your work to our community is vital, but you are more important than your work.’

Graham Ashton, former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, added: ‘It’ll make the lives of first responders that much better… but also increase the amount of conversations about mental health and mental fitness.

The Duke of Sussex, who is currently living in his $14 million mansion in California, has been a strong advocate for mental health over the years. 

Prince Harry announced he had been working on a mental health documentary for Apple TV for ‘several months’ with Oprah Winfrey, 66, in April 2019.

However, the series with the media mogul has ‘stalled’ after facing several delays, according to insiders. 

According to The Sun, the documentary was due to be released last autumn, but sources have since said Covid-19 restrictions, Harry’s exit from the Royal Family and move to the US with Meghan Markle, 39, have slowed down production. 

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