Transcript of Sir Michael Fallon's speech at the launch of
a partnership between the MOD and the Royal Foundation on mental
health.
I’m delighted to be here. Warfare’s often seen in terms of
battles of the body.
Today we recognise it’s also about battles of the mind. For those
suffering from mental illness the damage trauma inflicts is no
less real for being invisible, while the need to address mental,
as well as physical shocks, is no less pressing.
It’s not simply that the operational effectiveness of our forces
depends on them being healthy, outside and in.
We have a duty of care to all who lay their lives on the line and
a moral obligation to all who support them.
Now I think it’s true to say that whether families or civilian
staff, we’re better at treating mental trauma than we used to be.
A century ago, in the First World War, an anonymous medical
superintendent at one military hospital in York advised a shell
shocked patient “to face his illness in a manly way”.
Today after 21st century conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq where
a lack of safe zones was compounded by the constant threat of
roadside IEDs, we no longer expect people to simply “man up”,
instead we offer expert help through Defence Medical Services for
current personnel and through the NHS for veterans, families and
civilians. But with some 2.6 million veterans in the UK many at
increased risk of developing mental illness, complacency is not
an option.
Nor can our sole focus be on the frontline
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
So part of the reason we’re here today is to promote mental
health awareness.
No current or ex-member of our Armed Forces family should have to
keep quiet about their illness for fear of being thought a
failure.
And here I’d like to pay particular tribute to the work of HRH
Prince Harry.
As a former serviceman, few understand these matters better.
He has set an inspirational example in speaking about the
challenges he has faced.
And having used the Invictus Games to draw attention to the
physical effects of war he’s now tackling the taboo of mental
illness head on.
And we look forward to hearing from him in a moment.
Our strategy to address mental health issues, is about more than
just raising awareness, important though that is.
PREVENTION
It’s also about prevention.
Mental health conditions are treatable but we have to be better
at spotting the signs
Better directing people to the right treatment and doing more to
help those suffering from everyday stresses and strains to deal
with the challenges they face.
DETECTION
Second our plans are about better detection.
And today’s Royal Foundation Partnership will give individuals
the means to identify what’s wrong earlier on and our leaders the
practical tools they need to support their colleagues.
TREATMENT
Finally, it’s about better treatment. We’re focused on putting
proper treatment in place.
Earlier this year the Prime Minister introduced a package of
reforms to improve mental health support throughout a person’s
life.
Our Defence People Mental Health and Well-being Strategy builds
on those plans for our Whole Force utilising the best evidence
based practice and joining the dots between the National Health
Service, devolved administrations, key service charities, our own
Defence Medical Services and academia to provide a more seamless
service.
Our new Veterans board announced last week will now co-ordinate
all veterans-related work right across government and give this
work today much needed focus.
CONCLUSION
So let me conclude, before welcoming His Royal Highness by saying
that in a 24-hour society, of constant communication,
intensifying threats and multiplying daily pressures it’s never
been more vital for members of the military to keep mind, body
and soul together.
But by joining forces with them, we can shine the spotlight on
these hidden scars of mental illness.
We can help change the environment long-term.
We can help combat outdated attitudes and create a culture of
well-being, so no member of our Armed Forces Family ever has to
suffer in silence again.
