Meghan Bares Her Vulnerability As She Opens Up About Her Mental Health & Heartbreaking Thoughts

Aug 06, 2024

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide that may be troubling for some readers.

Meghan is undoubtedly one of the world's most famous people after she married Prince Harry in 2018. Since the former actress became romantically involved with the prince and ended up marrying into the royal family, naturally, she had to get along with its members.

As news of their engagement was revealed, it became apparent that the royal family had embraced Meghan as their new family member. However, things went awry during the days leading up to their actual wedding when Meghan’s father decided to coordinate with the British tabloids to wreak havoc on the wedding and fuel more controversy surrounding it.

In the years that have gone by, Meghan’s strained image among the British public and the royal family seemed beyond repair. Together, Meghan and Hary stepped down as senior working royals and decided to leave the United Kingdom for a quieter life in the United States with their family. 

Meghan and Harry’s life became even more complicated after their controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in 2021. The former actress opened up about how her mental health deteriorated during the time she was in London, as she faced intensified scrutiny. Since then, she has become a constant subject of backlash from various British tabloids and monarchy loyalists. 

On August 4, 2024, Meghan and Harry appeared on "CBS Mornings" to discuss their new venture for the Archewell Foundation, The Parents Network, where they offer support to parents of children affected by online bullying. During the interview, Meghan also opened up about her suicidal thoughts in the past that had come to light during her previous conversation with Winfrey. 

In March 2021, more than a year after Meghan and Harry settled into their life in California after leaving the United Kingdom, they sat down with Winfrey to talk at length about their departure as working royals of the British royal family. 

Among the revelations was that someone from the royal family voiced their concerns over Archie’s skin color, given that Meghan is part Black.  

"In those months when I was pregnant, all around the same time, so we have in tandem the conversation of, he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," Meghan revealed.

She also noted that as a working royal, Meghan felt constant criticism, sexism, and racism from the British tabloids – which led to her mental health being compromised. In the most extreme times, she even felt suicidal. 

“I just didn’t see a solution. I would sit up at night, and I was just, like, I don’t understand how all of this is being churned out. And, again, I wasn’t seeing it, but it’s almost worse when you feel it through the expression of my mom or my friends, or them calling me crying, just, like, ‘Meg, they’re not protecting you’. And I realized that it was all happening just because I was breathing,” she explained.

Meghan tried seeking help and asked the institution, but she was reportedly turned down because her appearance of seeking help would tarnish the family's image. At this point, she felt that she wasn't good for the institution, hence the exit. 

In the August 2024 interview, CBS journalist Jane Pauley asked Meghan about her experiences of suicidal thoughts in connection to their newly launched initiative. Meghan was surprised that Pauley would bring up such a topic, but she "understood" the need to talk about it, especially because she aims to make the concept of mental health less of a taboo for many. 

"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. 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," Meghan shared. 

According to the embattled Duchess of Sussex, she would "never want" someone else having suicidal thoughts or plans, and she would "never want" someone else "not to be believed." 

"If me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really, genuinely check in on them, and not assume that the appearance is good so everything's okay, then that's worth it. I'll take a hit for that," Meghan went on to say. 

Meghan, who spoke more about their new initiative, The Parents Network, spoke dearly about their children and how their initiative would help parents like them. 

"Our kids are young, they're 3 and 5," Meghan gushed. "They're amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. As we can see what is happening in the online space, we know that there's a lot of work there and we're just happy to be part of a change for good."

Harry also noted that today "every parent needs to be a first responder," and added that even the best first responders in the world would struggle to determine the signs of possible suicide, making their mission against bullying all the more important.

What do you think of Meghan and Harry’s new initiative? Do you agree with their statements and their mission? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other royal family fans!

If you or anybody you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please call Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit Befrienders Worldwide - Global Suicide Prevention to find your local suicide prevention hotline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals.