Celebrity News
No matter your background or walk of life you come from, you never know what others are going through behind closed doors. And such is true for the Dutchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
In a recent segment of CBS Sunday Morning, Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, discussed their latest initiative, The Parents’ Network, a support group for parents and caregivers whose children have been severely affected by social media, specifically self-harm.
Markle took time to open up about the pain and trauma she’s experienced from public bullying and expressed a desire to prevent others from feeling the same way.
“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,” she told host, Jane Pauley.
“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, and I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans, and I would never want someone else to not be believed."
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
For Markle, one of the steps to prevention is sharing one’s personal struggles to encourage others to look beyond appearances and check in on those around them.
“So 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 [their] appearance is good, so everything's okay? Then that's worth it, I'll take a hit for that,” she noted.
During a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Markle broke her silence and revealed the mental effect of bullying she’s faced while being in the public eye.
“I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he suffered,” the Duchess of Sussex shared in conversation with Oprah. “But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it, and I just didn't want to be alive anymore.”
The Parents' Network, born out of the Archwell Foundation, addresses the dangers posed by online platforms, which often expose children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and abuse.
The network advocates for safer online spaces where young people can connect, learn, and thrive while sharing stories and resources, and taking collective action to protect children.
Although self-harm and suicidal thoughts are difficult topics, they are a reality that many people experience daily. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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Feature image by Diego Cuevas/Getty Images
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