Advertiser letters: Mental health taboo and run for charity
The Invictus Games in Toronto. Picture: PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Letters, contributions and comments sent in to the Advertiser this week.
Games tackle health taboo
Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, controller, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, writes:
Recently the country rallied behind the brave ex-service men and women as they battled for Gold at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
It has been great to see our veterans getting the attention they deserve and shining a light on some of the issues they have faced since leaving the military.
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If there is one issue that stood out to me at this year’s Games, it was mental health. I was so impressed by the number of athletes suffering from PTSD who stepped up and were willing to share their stories.
While Invictus has opened the door for many veterans with mental health issues, sadly there are still plenty suffering in silence.
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At the RAF Benevolent Fund, we have been helping the RAF Family and also worked with Combat Stress, the veterans’ mental health charity, and Anxiety UK, providing a helpline, therapy sessions and self-help materials.
While there is still a stigma associated with mental health, the situation has improved drastically from my days in the RAF. With campaigns like World Mental Health Day and the Invictus Games, we will reach a point where people will no longer have to suffer in silence.
Run for charity
Matthew Reed, chief executive, The Children’s Society, writes:
This month many people will find out if they have secureda place in the London Marathon 2018.
But what if you have a place yet feel like you’d benefit from some support, advice and encouragement with your training?
You can join The Children’s Society’s team and at the same time help transform young people’s lives!
We help children and young people dealing with hardship, abuse and neglect and every penny raised by our runners will go towards transforming the lives of the UKs most vulnerable children.
It’s easy to register to be part of team and we provide lots of support every step of the way including bespoke training advice and guides from our fitness experts, a team training day, easy fundraising ideas, cheering you along on the day and a sports massage and celebration afterwards. For more information visit childrenssociety.org.uk/londonmarathon
