Mental Health

Invictus Games 2016: Prince Harry, Michelle Obama Focus On Mental Health

By Megha Kedia | Update Date: May 10, 2016 06:36 AM EDT

Prince Harry along with America's First Lady Michelle Obama opened the Invictus Games in Florida on Sunday night. He declared the Invictus Games a showcase of the "very best of the human spirit."

Prince Harry, who has been the driving force behind The Invictus Games, started it after being inspired to help wounded and sick military veterans and their families following his Afghanistan tours. The inaugural Invictus Games were held in 2014 in London, according to BBC.

The ceremonial start of the games, which was held at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Champion Stadium, was attended by Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman and former US President George W Bush. There were also performances by British singer James Blunt and the soprano Laura Wright.

During the event, around 500 athletes from 14 different countries will compete in 10 events including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, athletics, wheelchair basketball, rugby and tennis over four days.

Addressing the crowd, the Prince said, "I can't tell you how proud I am to have the second Invictus Games open in America."

"I am a long way from London tonight, but when I look out I see so many familiar faces, servicemen and women, their friends and their families, and all the people who got them here. I feel like I'm home." He added, "I saw the sacrifices you and your families made to serve your nations. I learned about the importance of team work and camaraderie in the way that only military service can teach you."

The Prince's speech also focused on the mental challenges faced by the athletes.

"It is not just physical injuries that our Invictus competitors have overcome," he said, according to The Telegraph. "Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges. "To those of you watching at home and who are suffering from mental illness in silence - whether a veteran or a civilian, a mum or a dad, a teenager or a grandparent - I hope you see the bravery of our Invictus champions who have confronted invisible injuries, and I hope you are inspired to ask for the help that you need."

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