Prince William recently broke the royal tradition of silence regarding personal matters to share his insights on mental health.
On Wednesday, February 18, he appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks during the “Mental Health Special” episode alongside Professor Green and Guvna B. His goal was to address the mental health crisis affecting men in the UK, as reported by US.
He stated, “I take a long time trying to understand my emotions and why I feel like I do, and I feel like that’s a really important process to do every now and again.” William then urged other men to “check in with yourself“ to explore the origins of their feelings.
The royal highlighted the alarming number of men who have committed suicide, labeling it a “real national catastrophe” that has not received adequate attention.
“We need more male role models out there, talking about it and normalizing it, so that it becomes second nature to all of us,” William remarked.
The Prince of Wales encouraged everyone listening to delve deeper into self-awareness and “learn to love yourself“.
Mental health crises can arise for obvious reasons or seemingly none at all, he explained. William also reminded listeners that a mental health crisis can be temporary — “You can have a strong mental health crisis moment, but it will pass.“
He revealed that William’s Royal Foundation will contribute $1.3 million to establish a National Suicide Prevention Network for the United Kingdom. The Prince wants this initiative to be seen as a “little stepping stone” for those facing mental health challenges.
He hopes that increased education and visibility will help push the notion of suicide “further and further away.” He continued, “Because you know that tomorrow, you might wake up, and you might feel very different.”
Prince William also acknowledged that mental health is frequently discussed with his wife, Princess of Wales Kate Middleton. They also engage their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, in these conversations.
When speaking with his children, he mentioned they sometimes share too much information: “I get all the details, which I love, it’s amazing.”
Until recently, the royal family had generally avoided personal topics deemed too sensitive for public discussion, but this has changed as they increasingly emphasize mental health awareness.
If you are in the US or Canada and require mental health support, call 988.
