Prince Harry Knows Speaking Out About Mental Health Can Benefit Charities
Prince Harry is preparing to step down from his role as a senior member of the royal family. In the next few months, the public will likely see him start to take on a variety of different projects. While he has remained tight-lipped about the projects he will focus on, it is likely some of them will be related to mental health. Over the years, Prince Harry has been an outspoken advocate for mental wellness and has been remarkably open about his own inner struggles.
Prince Harry’s battle with mental health
Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, tragically passed away in a car accident when he was only twelve years old. While the trauma of losing a parent might affect anyone deeply, being in the spotlight added to the trauma considerably. Recently, Prince Harry opened up that after losing his mother, he spent three years in therapy trying to cope with her loss.
He has also stated that his life felt like “total chaos” after losing his mother in such a public way. He’s also said that on “numerous occasions” he has come very close to having a complete nervous breakdown. The royal has talked about how beneficial mental health professionals have been and how much progress he made after talking to a counselor. Prince Harry’s openness about mental health is certainly unusual within the royal family. His vulnerability has definitely endeared him to many people all over the world.
How did Prince Harry help mental health charities?
After Prince Harry’s initial 2017 admission regarding his mental health struggles, there was a near-immediate ripple effect. According to a news report, several mental health charities reported an increase in people reaching out to use their services following Prince Harry’s interview. One charity known as The Mix, reported an incredible forty-three percent increase in people contacting them for mental health support.
A source for the story stated that there is real evidence to support the increase and that “ordinary people” are more likely to seek help if they see or hear about famous people experiencing the same problems. The source called Prince Harry’s admissions “inspiring” and called for even more celebrities or people in the spotlight to speak out in the same manner.
What mental health projects will Prince Harry work on?
While most of Prince Harry’s plans for the year remain under wraps, there is one major project that he is actively working on: an Apple TV+ series that he is making in conjunction with Oprah Winfrey. Recently, it was reported that the series would feature a number of visits to different mental health institutions around the United Kingdom. The series will feature facilities designed specifically for combat veterans who are struggling with depression and anxiety.
In his statement announcing the series, Prince Harry stated that “I truly believe that good mental health — mental fitness — is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities, and a purpose-driven self. It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times.” There’s no doubt that by partnering with a media giant like Oprah, Prince Harry’s mission to increase awareness of mental health will reach a whole new audience.
