Prince William Opens Up About His Mental Health Challenges
Prince William openly discussed his mental health challenges in a rare interview recently.
“I spend considerable time reflecting on my emotions and understanding why I feel this way, and I believe that’s a vital process to undertake occasionally, to check in with yourself and figure out your feelings,” William, 43, shared during his appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks on Wednesday, February 18.
William joined the radio program to highlight the mental health crisis affecting men in the U.K., deeming it a “real national catastrophe” that the alarming rates of male suicide are not being addressed more widely.
“We need more male role models speaking out about this and normalizing the conversation, so it becomes a natural part of our lives,” the Prince of Wales emphasized.
He urged listeners to “learn to love and understand yourself,” noting that this can be beneficial during a mental health crisis.
“Sometimes the reasons are clear, and sometimes they’re not,” William added. “There’s a perception that a mental health crisis is temporary—you can experience a significant mental health episode, but it will eventually subside.”
William’s Royal Foundation is pledging $1.3 million to create a National Suicide Prevention Network in the U.K., hoping this will serve as a “little stepping stone” for people navigating tough times.
“If we increase our discussions and educate people, we can push the idea of suicide further away from consideration,” he remarked. “Because you never know, tomorrow you might wake up feeling very differently.”
William mentioned that discussions about emotions take place regularly in his home with wife Princess Kate Middleton and their children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
“Sometimes they overshare,” William joked. “I get all the details, which I cherish; it’s wonderful.”
The royal family has historically adhered to the motto “never complain, never explain,” prioritizing duty over personal challenges. However, many family members, including William, are shifting their focus to promote mental health awareness.
In 2016, William and Kate, 44, launched the Heads Together campaign alongside Prince Harry. This mental health initiative, driven by The Royal Foundation, aims to “tackle stigma and shift the conversation around mental health, while fundraising for a range of innovative new mental health services,” as stated on its website.
Through Heads Together, the royal family introduced Shout, a free 24/7 text messaging service that provides assistance to anyone facing a mental health crisis.
“From our engagement with young people, emergency services, homeless charities, and veterans, we’ve repeatedly observed that unresolved mental health issues are central to many of our significant social challenges,” William noted during the launch of Heads Together. “The more we discuss mental health, the more normalized the topic becomes, enabling us to open up and seek help.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
