While speaking to four young people about World Mental Health Day, Princess of Wales said there was no one right way or wrong to seek mental help.
For World Mental Health Day, the Prince and Princess recorded an exclusive programme on Radio 1 Newsbeat in which they heard four stories from young people who have struggled with their mental health for a long time and are now receiving the help they require.
Kate, mother-of-3, talked with her young children about their experiences and how help was available.
In the interview William mentioned his loss of mother, Princess Diana.
According to The Prince (40), ‘Big families and strong support networks are essential. However, many people do not realize the importance of these networks until they get it.
“You could be leading a simple life, and then something drastic happens and you realize you don’t have the right tools or knowledge to solve it.”
William seemed to be referring to his mother’s 1997 death and his recent relationship problems with Prince Harry.
The show aired at 12.45pm on Radio 1Xtra, Asian Network and Radio 1Xtra. It was argued that mental health had been “pushed way down” and suggested we as society must “find a balance” to preserve mental well-being in order for society to address other problems.
According to the Princess of Wales (40), people now recognize that they have mental problems, and are better equipped to handle them. However, they face challenges in knowing what to do.
The Newsbeat Special featured a conversation between the Prince and Princess with Antonio Ferreira. Ferreira is a Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience student and also an activist for mental health. Antonio, a teenage boy with schizophrenia and an emotionally unstable personality disorder was first diagnosed.
His condition had led him into a deep depression. He decided to end his life.
He said, “Coming from Africa, mental health has never been a subject of conversation.” “I didn’t know or have any idea about it, so I did not accept the diagnosis.
Photograph of the Prince and Princess Of Wales, Emma Hardwell and Ben Cowley with Antonio Ferreria and Dr Abigail Miranda.
Kate was dressed in a £49.99 recycled Zara blazer and a glitzy gold chain, thought to be the £234 Luisa Necklace from Laura Lombardi, for the discussion on BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat which is being broadcast this afternoon
After being examined by my GP, I was referred for a child/adolescent psychiatrist. He was soon unable to walk and found that he had no hope.
Antonio said that it was then that he took his own life. Antonio ended up being admitted to the unit and was amazed at the help he received.
“They said to me, “We can see that you have a lightbulb in you.” “It’s not like the light bulb is off, but that someone turned it off. You just need somebody to bring it back on.”
He said, “I emerged from there a changed man”, which motivated him to seek out ways to assist others who were in the same position.
In a clip released ahead of the broadcast – which will be repeated on Radio 1 and 1Xtra at 5.45pm – the royal couple spoke about young people’s mental health with Newsbeat presenter Pria Rai and a host of advocates and experts.
The Prince of Wales said: ‘A lot of the work we’ve done on mental health and listening to lots of people talk about it, is everyone likes a toolbox – particularly for men. It is a good analogy for the kind of use.
Dr Abigail Miranda is an early-years child and educational psychologist. She replied, “To have, I suppose,” communication would be the key. I also think that some myth-busting around attachment and communication would be helpful.
‘We know now through studies that actually any parent who spends a significant amount of time – or any caregiver – with the child will also form similar attachments and have those similar patterns as well.’
Kate – dressed in a £49.99 recycled Zara blazer and a glitzy gold chain, thought to be the £234 Luisa Necklace from Laura Lombardi – then said she would ‘love to know’ how the contributors look after their own mental health.
Antonio said, “That’s an important question.”
“I don’t know if every day will be sunny and roses. I also know I have days when I have to fight against the clouds in order to find that sun again. And, of course, I understand that just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a bad week.
William and Kate recorded an exclusive programme on BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat for World Mental Health Day
“So this is the awareness that I am referring to, you know, accepting these things. Accepting these things is a good thing. But you must also remember to be humble and to keep your eyes open for the best.
‘Because after bad the good follows, and you know, after good bad follows, after night comes day, after day comes night. So, you know, you want to keep pushing, you want to, you know, however much that hope is, you want to hold onto that hope.
‘You know, you can’t always run away from the issue, sometimes you have to really face them and conquer them and so, you know, with practice there’s progress, and that’s, I guess, in a nutshell how… it was a big question!’
Kate replied: ‘There’s no right or wrong, that’s the thing as well. Different things will work for different people and it’s just sometimes trying isn’t it, as well.’
Mr Ferreira said: ‘That’s it, yeah,’ and Kate added: ‘Different methods, different opportunities that arise as well to help best support you.’ Mr Ferreira responded: ‘Exactly.’
William then said: ‘I’m conscious we might run out of time and Pria [Rai] might say this is the worst Newsbeat production by two interviewers she’s ever seen’.
But Miss Rai replied: ‘Do you know what, you can come back, this seat, I’ve kept it warm, I think you’ve done a very good job, you can come back, carry on.’
William continued: ‘Well as we’ve said at the start of this special Newsbeat, this is all about having a meaningful conversation on mental health but it shouldn’t stop here.’
And Kate added:You answered, “Yes, absolutely. Talking about mental health and the importance of it is vitally important. The first step is to continue talking, have conversations, and reach out for support.
The conversation was moderated by Emma Hardwell and Ben Cowley (music therapist and assistant to mental health advisor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama)
Kate also spoke out in chat. She said that the last time she was here, it was to launch Heads Together. This campaign was designed to encourage people to talk about their mental health. We’ve seen the epidemic and all that has followed. Is there a change in the way people talk about mental health?
Miss Hardwell said: ‘Yeah. I think particularly we’re witnessing this at a younger age, my generation coming up, definitely less afraid to talk about mental illness and it’s getting more accepted. It was not uncommon to feel lonely during the Pandemic.
“You know what? A lot of us lived in isolation, living alone in our homes. A lot of those students lived in very small apartments at universities.
“When you talk about being lonely, and the possible consequences that this can lead to, it is because loneliness has become a common feeling that many people have joined together.
‘We all feel lonely right now, especially during that time, or we’re all lacking the connections that maybe we need. And so I think when we’re all feeling the same thing and we start to admit that, it makes it easier then for more people to say: “Oh yeah, me too.”’
Kate continued: ‘That’s one of the messages we are trying to encourage is the fact that everyone has mental health, and in the same way as their physical health we have to look after, in the same way we go to the gym, we need to look after and nurture our minds as well.
‘You were saying it’s really important to reach out and connect with people. Some people actually, expression through music or through art or through other forms of expression, it’s a really great way isn’t it of experiencing mental health.’
Cowley added: “Absolutely self-care refers to being unapologetic with what you need. This could mean all the fun stuff like going to the cinema or gaming an hour, but also giving yourself permission for you to tell someone that you aren’t coping.
Ferreira spoke on BBC Breakfast today, saying he hopes the program inspires others.
Mr Ferreira said: ‘[Taking part in the radio show]It was surreal. However, it is a sign of my journey to get to where I am today.
“I had no idea that I’d be in the room talking to Prince Charles and Princess Diana about my mental illness journey.
“I believe the key thing to success is challenging yourself, pushing your limits, and getting outside of your normal comfort zone. It’s how we learn. Pushing our boundaries.
“My goal is raise awareness about mental health in particular under-represented groups. I hope that something like this would help to shed light on the subject and inspire others.
Aled Haydn Jones is Radio 1’s Head of Communications. He said, “It was fantastic to welcome Prince Charles and Princess Diana back into our studios for discussion about something that is so near to both our hearts and theirs.”
“What was shared today will resonate so strongly with our listeners that it means so much that we can all collaborate to tackle stigma surrounding the issue.”
Danielle Dwyer is the editor for Radio 1’s Newsbeat. She said that mental health was important to listeners. They also knew that people often seek out their friends in times of distress.
Newsbeat doesn’t only deliver the news, it’s about being a friend and providing advice and support to listeners when they are in need.
“Talking about mental wellness without judgment or stigma is key. It’s brilliant to have the Prince and Princess Of Wales join our reporting team today, to share in this vital conversation.
Miss Rai commented, “Let’s be real. The news can be heavy. Sometimes it feels like there is one more “unprecedented thing” after the other. Your mental health can suffer from stress caused by Covid, exam stress, or other factors like the cost-of-living crisis.
‘Newsbeat always wants to just let our listeners know, it’s okay – you’re not the only one feeling like that. We are not just switched on by people to hear the latest news. People also want to openly share how they feel.
“It’s very humble to have become a part of so many people’s daily lives that they are able to text us about their feelings or loss. Radio is a place where strangers can talk to one another and soon become friends. That’s an important part of our work.
The Prince and Princess of Wales walking around Carrickfergus on their last trip to Northern Ireland.
Radio 1’s William and Kate previously appeared together. Pictured: In 2017, the couple appeared on Scott Mills’ show.
William with Harry, his mother Diana, Charles and his house master Dr Andrew Gailey on his first day at Eton in 1995
William was accompanied by Prince Harry, his younger brother, at last month’s Queen’s funeral procession. They have had a difficult relationship.
On BBC Breakfast, Miss Rai said that Royal couple were very “candid” and “caring” throughout their interview.
BBC Breakfast she told her: “Imagine the machine making one of these things possible. This is an incredible opportunity, we thought.
“Radio is the type of place [where]These conversations are possible, and we said yes when they asked.
“We changed the Radio 1 Live Lounge. This is a place that used to be the background for pop stars A-list, but now it’s a stage for something entirely different.
“It was honest conversation. They didn’t follow their scripts. They thought about and cared about the questions.
This programme will broadcast today at 12.45pm via BBC Radio 1Xtra or the Asian Network. The program will air again at Radio 1Xtra and Radio 1Xtra, 5.45pm. It will also be broadcast on BBC Sounds starting at 2pm.