Meghan, Duchess of Sussex says she has not yet “really scraped the surface” of sharing her mental health struggles publicly.
Sitting down for an interview with her husband, Prince Harry, the 43-year-old opened up about her struggles with suicidal thoughts while living in the UK as a member of the British royal family.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex opens up about suicidal thoughts.
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Meghan previously told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 she had “very clear” suicidal thoughts and felt “ashamed” to tell Harry of her mental state during that period.
She and Harry stepped back as senior working royals in 2020.
Asked four years on by journalist Jane Pauley about her mental health journey, Meghan rested her hand on her husband’s knee as she opened up the struggle.
“When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it,” she told CBS Mornings.
“And I haven’t really scraped the surface on my experience, but I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way, and I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans, and I would never want someone else to not be believed.
“If me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourages someone in their life to really genuinely check in on them and not assume that the appearance is good, so everything is OK, then that’s worth it.
“I’ll take a hit for that.”
Trying to combat online bullying and its effect on kids and young adults, Harry and Meghan have launched The Parents’ Network as part of their Archewell Foundation to support parents who have lost a child directly or indirectly because of abuse through social media.
Meghan said the cause was close to her heart because of the direct experience she has had with suicide and social media.
“There is a through-line,” she said of her experiences and those of grieving parents.
During Meghan and Harry’s 2021 Oprah interview, she recalled being pregnant with their oldest, Prince Archie, and having suicidal thoughts because of the pressure of being in the public eye and being a member of the royal family.
“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said at the time.
After telling Harry of her mental state, she says he just “cradled” her before they reached out to senior members of the royal family for assistance.
The couple claimed the request for help was rejected.
Harry and Meghan also reflected on their children Prince Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3.
“Our kids are young — they’re three and five. They’re amazing,” Meghan said with a smile.
“But all you want to do as parents is protect them.
“So as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”
Journalist Jane Pauley responded that as a parent: “You hope that when your children ask for help, someone, you know, is there to give it.”
Harry added: “If you know how to help.
“At this point, we’ve got to the stage where every parent needs to be a first responder,” he went on.
“Even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. That is the terrifying piece of this.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
