CANBERRA – Australians were encouraged on Friday to do more for returning soldiers with mental illness, during Canberra’s annual Armistice Day ceremony to honour its war dead.

Soldiers often bring home the scars of war and more can be done for them, Jeff Kennett, the chairman of mental health charity Beyond Blue told the hundreds attending the function, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull among them.

“They carry with them the excess baggage of fear, stress, anger and nightmares, which, if not addressed, can lead to anxiety, depression and, sadly, even suicide,” Kennett said in his commemorative address.

A minute’s silence was observed at the ceremony to mark 98 years since the signing of the armistice at the end of World War One and 75 years since the opening of the Australian War Memorial.

At the event, Turnbull and other dignitaries placed wreaths, while Australia‘s Federation Guard held a parade.

Later on Friday, the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated with red poppies.

– Reuters