Prince Harry: Invictus athletes are models of mental health

Prince Harry praised his competitors at the Invictus Games for turning the mental health problem "from a sad story into an inspiring story".

He was speaking in Sydney at the closing ceremony of the Games, created to celebrate the athletic achievements of wounded military personnel.

"The secret of the success of these Games has been to recognize that mental health is the real key to recovery."

Everyone could be inspired by the "Invictus example," said the Duke.

About 500 competitors from 18 nations took part in the games, which involve 11 adapted sports.

The Duke of Susbad said athletes participating in the race had resisted "some of the darkest experiences known to all".

"By simply being here and defending yourself, you have become role models for anyone in their home or gallery who may be dealing with a mental illness."

"More importantly, you are showing everyone that it is ok to ask for help."

Prince Harry spoke of his own difficulties following the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

"I went there, you went there, and now we have to reach out to those who can not even imagine that place."

The Duke and Duchess of Susbad attended the ceremony as part of their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

This is one year after the couple's first public appearance at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017.

The royal couple applauded the athletes as they entered the stadium of Sydney Olympic Park to mark the end of the eight days of the event.

While praising the courage, determination and "comradeship" of the competitors, the duke said that the success of the games ultimately depended on "ordinary people doing extraordinary things".

"You do not have to be a veteran who has withstood an injury to inspire the example of Invictus," he said.

He added that mental well-being is more important than physical fitness because "otherwise, we can not survive, let alone prosper".

"When you accept a challenge, it's real, you can have hope.When you understand your vulnerability, you can become strong.When you're brave enough to ask for help, you can be high, you can start living, doing, feeling – not just surviving.

"And when you share your story, you can change the world.

"I can not think of a better way to continue serving your country," he said.

In a previous speech, the Duchess paid tribute to the "spirit force" of the athletes she had met at the Games, such as Ryan Novak, a US military paralyzed from the waist up and who had announced that He would never walk again.

With the "unwavering support" of his mother, Mr. Novak has recovered sufficiently to participate in sailing, swimming and athletics competitions at the Sydney Games.

"When Harry and I saw him at the finish line of sailing, he literally jumped into our boat – with dexterity and ease, by the way – to give us a hug to both of us" , she said.

Meghan called the games – founded by Prince Harry in 2014 – "an international platform of some of the best sports and athletics you can ever see, coupled with a fellowship and a unified sense of community that can not be defined only like the spirit Invictus ".

Multimedia playback is not supported on your device

• In pictures: the first tour of Harry and Meghan
• "I'm just living" – The Inspiring Journey of Mark Ormrod, Triple Amputee

The Duke, who served in the army for 10 years, started the games in London four years ago with the goal of helping injured military personnel and veterans to physically and psychologically readjust themselves.

He concluded his speech in Sydney Saturday thanking everyone involved in creating the 2018 event.

"I am so proud to call you my friends and my family Invictus, you are the generation Invictus and you show us that anything is possible.

"Thank you all for the great Sydney Games, we'll see you in the Netherlands in 2020."