Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the Duke of Cambridge’s visit to the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre and mental health in the armed forces.
Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre
The Telegraph and Sun Online covered the gifting of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre from the Duke of Westminster to the Prime Minister. The ceremony was also attended by the Duke of Cambridge who is the patron of the funding appeal to establish the £300million rehabilitation facility. The Centre will provide world-class rehabilitation facilities for service personnel who have suffered major trauma or injury.
Mental Health
The Sun ran a story on armed forces mental health stats released yesterday. The short piece sets out how rates of mental health disorders in the military are lower than the general population. Yesterday Defence Minister also hosted the first European conference on veterans mental health, meeting with his European counterparts to share best practice. Read more here.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:
“Despite common misconceptions, rates of mental disorder, suicide and PTSD in the military are consistently lower than amongst the general population.
“We must not lose sight of how Britain benefits from those who serve; the incredible contribution they make whilst in uniform and to society once they depart.
“The absolute majority serve well, transition well and leave well. we must counter myths surrounding military mental health, but at the same time be committed to doing all we can to improve the mental fitness of our personnel and veterans and ensure no one is left behind."
