Prince William has appeared in a brand new video to mark World Mental Health Day where he talks about the devastating impact of suicide as his Royal Foundation launches its Suicide Prevention Network
Prince William is almost brought to tears in an emotional chat about the devastating impact of suicide. In a new video released to mark World Mental Health Day today, the Prince of Wales talks to Rhian Mannings about the importance of support being available for those at risk of suicide or affected by it.
Rhian from Cardiff tragically lost her one-year-old son George in 2012 following a hidden illness and just five days later, her husband Paul took his own life. Since then, the Mirror Pride of Britain winner has founded the bereavement charity 2wish, to support those affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young adult under the age of 25.
In the incredibly emotional chat, William visits Rhian’s home, where over tea and Welsh cakes, they discuss the urgent need for better support for those bereaved and affected by suicide.
The prince starts off by asking how she has brought up her older children, Holly and Isaac, with Rhian admitting she didn’t know how they had survived it.
He also brings up how there is unfortunately a lot of stigma attached to suicide, with former PE teacher Rhian saying: “I was quite surprised by it, I had never been touched by suicide. It was something that happened in the news. Nobody would talk about it or say what happened, and I found that really confusing at the time.”
William then talks about the unanswered questions that often surround suicide as Rhian says she will “forever go over those last few days with him wondering what I missed”. She explains: “Before we lost George, we were just so happy. And I think this just shows, this can happen to anyone.”
William then asks Rhian if she wanted to say something to her late husband Paul, what would it be. Poignantly, she tells him: “There’s only one thing I would have ever said to him if I had time with him and that would be why didn’t you speak to me? I think I ask myself that every single day.
“He was absolutely devastated, he did keep blaming himself that weekend [after George’s death], but I would just like to sit him down like this and just say why didn’t you come to me. Because he has missed out on just so much joy, and we would have been OK – and I think that’s what the hardest thing is, we would have been OK.”
And William becomes overcome with emotion and takes a moment to compose himself, as Rhian asks him: “You OK?” William tells her: “Sorry, it’s hard to ask you these questions,” before Rhian tells him: “I know, it’s hard, you’ve experienced loss yourself.” She adds: “Life can throw you these awful curve balls, but by talking about it, by having hope, you can continue.”
And William says: “The best way to prevent suicide is to talk about it. Talk about it early, talk about it with your loved ones, with those you trust. So thank you for talking about it.”
The candid chat comes as William and Kate’s Royal Foundation launches its Suicide Prevention Network today. It is being backed by 20 organisations, including Rhian’s charity 2Wish with over £1million of funding from the Foundation to transform suicide prevention across the UK.
The network will focus on tackling the root causes of suicide and ensuring support is available for those who need it. Organisations across all four home nations are included in the new network including local charities offering crisis support as well as those offering prevention and postvention services.
In it’s first three years, the Royal Foundation says the network aims to deliver lasting change in how suicide is understood and prevented.
William said: “The incredible partners who form this network reach those at risk of, or affected by, suicide with their inspirational work. I have had the privilege of meeting all of the founding partners to see firsthand their powerful community-based efforts to offer hope and support to those who need it most.
“Their efforts reaffirm the urgent mission of the National Suicide Prevention Network: to build a bold, unified national response to the heartbreaking—and preventable—tragedy of suicide.”
- For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website. You can also access support at the Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest mental health support directory.