Meghan talks about her mental health issues.
In a new TV interview, Meghan and Harry discuss their initiative against online hate. Once again, the Duchess of Sussex shares her mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts. The internet subsequently erupts with criticism.
Last Sunday, Duchess Meghan celebrated her 43rd birthday in a small, private gathering. However, she still manages to make headlines. A new joint TV interview with her husband, Prince Harry, aired on "CBS Sunday Morning." In it, the couple promotes a new initiative against online hate and Meghan openly discusses her mental health struggles.
Creating a better, healthier online world is one of the goals of their Archewell Foundation, which Harry and Meghan launched in 2020 after stepping back as senior royals in the UK. In the CBS interview, they discuss the launch of "The Parents Network," which supports parents who have lost children to suicide, often due to social media use and cyberbullying.
At the official launch of the initiative on August 4, the Sussexes spoke with host Jane Pauley about the impacts of and fight against online hate. "One of the most frightening things we've learned over the last 16, 17 years since social media has been around is that it can happen to anyone," Harry says, addressing parents who have lost children to cyberbullying. "We used to think that when kids were under our roof, we knew what they were doing." But that's a misconception, he says. Now, kids can be sitting in the next room on a tablet or phone, lost in social media, with potentially devastating consequences.
"We've reached a point where almost all parents need to be first responders," the 39-year-old says. And even the best first responders often can't recognize potential signs. "That's the scary part."
"Our children are young, they're three and five," Meghan says of Lilibet and Archie. "They're wonderful. All you want as a parent is to protect them. And seeing what needs to be done in the online space, we're just happy to be part of the change for the better."
Meghan's own experiences, which connect her to these families and which she shared in 2021 with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, were also discussed again. She revealed that during her time in London, she struggled with mental health and had suicidal thoughts. A clip from that interview was shown, in which Meghan says, "I was really ashamed to say it, especially to Harry, because I know how much he's suffered. But I knew that if I didn't say it, I would have done it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore."
Viewers reacted angrily.
The 43-year-old stated in the current interview: "If one has experienced pain or trauma, it's a part of our healing process, at least for me, to be able to speak openly about it. And you know, I haven't even scratched the surface of my experiences." She doesn't want others to feel the way she did. "And I would never want anyone else to have such plans (suicide plans, note of the editor). And I would never want someone not to be believed." If she can share what she has overcome and thus save lives or encourage people to look out for each other and not assume everything is okay, she would "gladly be the target."
The internet reaction to the interview with Meghan and Harry is divided - also because their public image has suffered since their public accusations against the royal family. Under the CBS YouTube video, attacks against the couple are piling up. "She bullied her father, her sister-in-law, her in-laws, her British team and preaches about bullying! What a hypocrite", "It made me sad that Meghan, in front of parents who have lost a child, says she was suicidal. She's so arrogant. All for the public, disgusting" or "These two have become unbearable. (...) All this alleged concern for families and children, although both have disrespected their own families and cut off any contact with them. The irony of it all!" are just a few of the thousands of comments.
For RTL royal expert Michael Begasse, Meghan and Harry are "absolutely credible when it comes to drawing attention to the dangers children face when they are trolled and insulted online. We as parents are just as powerless as millions of other moms and dads when children's souls suffer." Regarding the accusations that the couple is just seeking attention, he says: "This is not a show, this is love. This is not vain self-promotion, but the processing of events that have left deep scars on the 43-year-old. And no, it is definitely not a new attack on Harry's family of origin in England, the strict king, the wicked stepmother, or the heartless brother. It is not a self-pitying tantrum, but the most honest interview Meghan and Harry have given in years."
In response to the backlash, Meghan emphasizes the importance of speaking openly about mental health struggles and suicide, hoping to prevent others from feeling the same pain she did. Sadly, the criticism shifted towards bullying accusations, with many viewers labeling Meghan as a hypocrite due to her past experiences.
Despite the divisive reactions, their initiative against online bullying and support for parents dealing with suicide caused by cyberbullying continues to gain traction.
