Like many people around the world, I watched the Oprah interview Sunday night with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (is that right? Is he still a Prince? I’ll call him Prince Harry because I legitimately do not know his last name. Does he have a last name? What do his credit cards say? Sorry, I’ll stop).
**You can watch the interview on CBS or read a recap HERE.
Here is what stuck with me and what has been eating at me since it aired. Meghan spoke at length about how the bullying and hostile environment she was dealing with while pregnant and after the birth of her son caused her to have suicidal ideations and she truly believed she might harm herself. She was brave enough to speak out to her husband and to ask those around her for help.
Since the show aired I have seen the media and even more so, people on social media attacking her. Accusing her of making this up for attention or for sympathy. And in my opinion, this is exactly what is wrong today with the discussion of mental health. This is dangerous and will undoubtedly cost lives. As the mother of a suicide attempt survivor, I take this VERY personally.
And Instagram. Very good question. Doria works in mental health and did not support her daughter?🤔 pic.twitter.com/UwitzeBLsa
— Sabirah Lohn #Team Queen (@SabirahLohn) March 8, 2021
All relatively great questions. They are constantly playing victim and never take any responsibilities. I’m not buying anything she says.
— Sabirah Lohn #Team Queen (@SabirahLohn) March 8, 2021
People who are having suicidal thoughts may be the last people you expect. They may smile and laugh and be highly functioning. They might be your spouse, coworker, best friend or even your child. There is a great stigma and sense of shame in seeking help for mental illness or suicidal thoughts and it is an incredibly, phenomenally brave thing to say out loud that you need help.
“I share this because there’s so many people who are afraid to voice that they need help and I know personally how hard it is to not just voice it, but when you voice it, to be told no.” -Meghan Markle
I cannot stress to everyone who is reading this strongly enough — if someone tells you that they have thoughts about harming themselves — believe them. This is life or death.
According to the CDC, suicide rates have gone up 35% in the last twenty years and suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in America. That is unacceptable. For the almost 50,000 Americans who die each year by suicide, millions more contemplate it or attempt it. The ONLY thing that will change these statistics is to openly talk about it, remove the stigma and shame, and make it easier for people to get help.
“In 2017, 10.6 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted it.”(CDC)
If you are one of the many, many people who wrote on social media or spoke about how Meghan Markle, in your opinion, was “faking it” or “lying” for attention or sympathy — shame on you.
Charlie Kirk said Meghan Markle is “making it up like Jussie Smollett” and Prince Harry is a “metrosexual beta male”
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) March 8, 2021
She will most likely never read your comments or hear what you say about her, but rest assured that based solely on statistics, someone in your life close to you has likely had the same suicidal thoughts. And hearing you shame and vilify someone who was brave enough to speak publicly about their struggle will certainly not allow them to open up to you. Imagine if that is your child who is feeling that way and you may have just closed the door on that important conversation.
“That’s so important for people to remember is that you have no idea what’s going on for someone behind closed doors. You have no idea. Even the people that smile the biggest smiles and shine the brightest lights, it seems… To have compassion for what’s actually potentially going on.” -Meghan Markle
If you or a loved one is having suicidal ideations and need help, I encourage you to call the US National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK or text the 24/7 crisis intervention line by texting 741741.
Have You Been Struggling With Your Mental Health? Read These:
Anxiety And Depression Peak During The Holidays. Here’s How To Cope
These Therapy Quotes Are The First Step To Living A Better Life
