Putting Our Heads Together
Campaign shines spotlight on Mental Health
Prince Harry recently attended a Veterans’ Mental Health Conference at King’s College in London. There, he moderated a panel discussion with three veterans on the power of conversations and getting the right mental health support.
Prince Harry’s appearance helped promote Heads Together, a campaign to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health. The public awareness effort is being led by His Royal Highness alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince Harry, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, emphasized that while the public may be most aware of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many veterans with mental health challenges do not have PTSD. They may struggle with depression or anxiety that is complicated or even directly related to their physical injuries and difficulty coping with a new normal.
Throughout the day, prominent international experts shared findings and challenges in providing care. While government health care systems differ among allied countries, care providers are all seeking to improve evidence-based mental health care, and to complement medical mental health care with peer-support programs, respite or retreat programs for families, and other creative efforts to support this population as they heal and thrive.
At the event, organized by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research with Forces in Mind Trust, Prince Harry emphasized his support for an inspirational pair of injured American and British veterans who are running this year’s Boston and London Marathons—six days apart—to raise awareness and funding for programs combating military mental health issues.
Retired U.S. Army Maj. Ivan Castro sustained life-threatening injuries and was blinded in both eyes during combat in Iraq, in 2006. British Private Karl Hinett suffered burns to his hands, legs, arms, and face when his tank was attacked in Iraq, in 2005. Between them both, Castro and Hinett have spent over 100 hours on the operating table, more than 12 months confined to a hospital bed and endured over 100 surgeries.
The Heads Together campaign builds upon the special relationship between the United Kingdom and United States. Our countries served together—and Ivan and Carl are running together—to ensure that our veterans heal and recover together.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is proud to partner with the Royal Foundation, and the American Friends of the Royal Foundation to enable this amazing campaign.
We are especially excited that Home Base, a partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, is the beneficiary of Heads Together funds raised in the United States. Home Base provides world-class mental health care, research and education to thousands of veterans and their families.
With the Boston marathon quickly approaching, April 17, the Bob Woodruff Foundation is thrilled to get our #HeadsTogether. You too can support these efforts by making a contribution to Ivan and Karl’s fundraising page here.
