"I need a lot of time to understand them" - Prince William breaks silence on mental health struggles and suicide prevention push
Prince William has spoken openly about his own emotional struggles and the importance of discussing mental health. The 43-year-old royal shared his personal approach to managing feelings while encouraging others—especially men—to follow suit. His comments come as his charity, The Royal Foundation, pledges £1 million to support suicide prevention efforts across the UK.
The prince explained that he takes time to understand his emotions and why they arise. Rather than suppressing feelings, he believes in confronting them regularly. He also revealed that his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are growing up in an environment where emotions are discussed openly.
William stressed that adults should listen to children's feelings without immediately trying to 'fix' them. Acceptance, he said, is more important than offering quick solutions. He also called for more male role models to speak about mental health, hoping to normalise conversations that many still avoid.
Alongside his personal reflections, The Royal Foundation announced a £1 million investment to build a national suicide prevention network. The initiative aims to provide better support for those at risk, though specific impacts of the foundation's past mental health work remain unclear.
In Germany, similar support exists through the Telefonseelsorge hotline, which offers 24/7 assistance for depression, suicidal thoughts, and crisis intervention.
Prince William's message centres on self-awareness and open dialogue. By sharing his own experiences, he hopes to reduce stigma around mental health. The funding from The Royal Foundation will now focus on expanding suicide prevention resources, reinforcing his call for greater emotional honesty.
