The Royal Family's most powerful and inspiring quotes on mental health

January 28, 2021

It's Bell Let's Talk Day! Every year, the national campaign encourages Canadians to help raise money for mental health initiatives by contributing 5 cents "for every applicable text, call, tweet and retweet, social media view" and by using a special Facebook photo frame and Snapchat filter. Every time a Canadian watches the Bell Let's Talk Day video, the company donates 5 cents to mental health causes in this country. The program is incredibly popular on social media, too, where Bell donates 5 cents for every tweet or retweet using the #BellLetsTalk hashtag.

Mental health, after all, is as important as physical health... and the two are connected! That's taken on even more resonance during the coronavirus pandemic as people navigate isolation while in lockdown.

The Royal Family knows this very well, and many of its members have been involved in mental wellness initiatives for years – and they've ramped up that work with the advent of COVID-19.

Duchess Kate, Prince William and Prince Harry started their Heads Together initiative to bust through mental health stigma and encourage people to speak out about things they were experiencing and get help. They've been involved in many other important mental health campaigns since, as has Duchess Meghan.

They've all spoken out about the importance of self-care, mental health supports and programs, as have adjacent royal family members such as James Middleton.

In the spirit of breaking stigma, scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see some of the best, most important and most moving things the royals have said about mental health in recent years!

Photos: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In April 2020, William and Kate helped launch the Every Mind Matters initiative, which provides support resources for those struggling with their mental health. It couldn't have come at a better time, as the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the need for people to access help at an unprecedented, difficult time in history.

"Staying connected, staying positive and being able to talk to friends and family is so crucial, and having just some tips and ideas as to how to tackle some of those strange feelings and difficult circumstances we're finding ourselves in is really important, just to nudge us through these next few weeks," William said in an interview with BBC Breakfast.

"We mustn't forget out mental well-being as well, and making sure you're reaching out to those people around you that you have access to. Even if it's over the phone or online, to really make sure you those conversations."

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

In 2017, <strong><a href=/tags/0/prince-harry>Prince Harry</a></strong> gave a powerful interview about mental health in which he opened up about how <strong><a href=/tags/0/princess-diana>Princess Diana</a></strong>'s death has affected him.
<p>"I can safely say that losing my mom at the age of 12 and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years has had quite a serious effect on not only my personal life, but also my work as well. I know there's huge merit in talking about your issues," he told <Strong>Bryony Gordon</strong> for her podcast.
<p>"Keeping it quiet will only ever make it worse, not just for you, but everyone else around you because you become a problem."
<p>Photo: © John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In 2016, <strong><A href=/tags/0/kate-middleton>Duchess Kate</a></strong> wrote a touching editorial for <a href=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/her-royal-highness-the-duchess-of-cambridge/lets-make-a-real-difference-for-young-children_b_9246336.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaHVmZnBvc3QuY29tL2VudHJ5L3dpbGwtYW5kLWthdGUtcGFyZW50aW5nLXF1b3Rlc19uXzVhZGUxMTk1ZTRiMGIyZTgxMTMyMjMxZQ&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMxAQFLhaS092rAbA8fplJhgNJABAm2cuGoxF2h1y9zIAlAubufxLuabvOTDgFojpl166uXG7H1A0fZrjWLrZ1NoWmujj1N7YNvvDG5-evCyuDQP3tI-TINScsb8RFfw7l9BvWEE8pjb4idNwXrVG-9eGK3KnbCOnFkQLJYgUsDm&guccounter=2>Huffpost</a> in which she discussed children's mental health.
<p>"Like most parents today, William and I would not hesitate to seek help for our children if they needed it," the mom of three said. "We hope to encourage George and Charlotte* to speak about their feelings, and to give them the tools and sensitivity to be supportive peers to their friends as they get older. We know there is no shame in a young child struggling with their emotions or suffering from a mental illness. Of course, for some parents and carers, seeking help is not easy. When families are short of time or money, it is not always easy to know where to look for help or advice. That is why we need schools and communities to play their full role to help children who are struggling in ways that are not always easy to see."
<p>* While Kate's piece was written a year before <Strong><A href=/tags/0/prince-louis>Prince Louis</a></strong>'s birth, we know she includes her youngest child in these thoughts, too!
<p>Photo: © Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In 2016, Duchess Kate wrote a touching editorial for Huffpost in which she discussed children's mental health.

"Like most parents today, William and I would not hesitate to seek help for our children if they needed it," the mom of three said. "We hope to encourage George and Charlotte* to speak about their feelings, and to give them the tools and sensitivity to be supportive peers to their friends as they get older. We know there is no shame in a young child struggling with their emotions or suffering from a mental illness. Of course, for some parents and carers, seeking help is not easy. When families are short of time or money, it is not always easy to know where to look for help or advice. That is why we need schools and communities to play their full role to help children who are struggling in ways that are not always easy to see."

* While Kate's piece was written a year before Prince Louis's birth, we know she includes her youngest child in these thoughts, too!

Photo: © Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images

While visiting Cape Town-based Waves for Change on their <strong><a href=/tags/0/2019-african-royal-tour>royal tour of southern Africa</a></strong> in 2019, Harry and <Strong><a href=/tags/0/meghan-markle>Duchess Meghan</a></strong> spoke with staff and those who use the facilities about mental health.
<p>"I think most of the stigma is around mental illness, [and] we need to separate the two... mental health, which is every single one of us, and mental illness, which could be every single one of us," <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02019092453077/prince-harry-meghan-markle-speak-mental-health-cape-town/"><strong>the Duke of Sussex said</a></strong>.
<p>"But I think they need to be separated. The mental health element touches on so much of what we're exposed to - these experiences that these kids and every single one of us have been through."
<p>He went on to emphasize that at any point in our lives, anyone can be affected by mental illness.
<p>"Everyone has experienced trauma or is likely to experience trauma at some point during their lives. We need to try, not to eradicate it, but to learn from previous generations so there's not a perpetual cycle," he said.
<p>Photo: © Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

While visiting Cape Town-based Waves for Change on their royal tour of southern Africa in 2019, Harry and Duchess Meghan spoke with staff and those who use the facilities about mental health.

"I think most of the stigma is around mental illness, [and] we need to separate the two... mental health, which is every single one of us, and mental illness, which could be every single one of us," the Duke of Sussex said.

"But I think they need to be separated. The mental health element touches on so much of what we're exposed to - these experiences that these kids and every single one of us have been through."

He went on to emphasize that at any point in our lives, anyone can be affected by mental illness.

"Everyone has experienced trauma or is likely to experience trauma at some point during their lives. We need to try, not to eradicate it, but to learn from previous generations so there's not a perpetual cycle," he said.

The Duchess of Sussex completely agreed with him.
<p>"You see that no matter where you are in the world, if you're in a small community or a township, if you're in a big city - it's that everyone is dealing with a different version of the same thing," she said.
<p>"Globally, I think there's a bit of a consciousness crisis, and so the fact that we're able to be here together to see on the ground so much good work that's being done, just because people are willing to talk to each other about it and someone's willing to listen, is huge."
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In September 2019, <strong><a href=/tags/0/prince-william>Prince William</a></strong> stepped out to <a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02019090952869/prince-william-wants-to-train-as-volunteer-crisis-counsellor/><strong>Harcombe House in Devon</a></strong>, one of three residential centres run by The Fire Fighters' Charity in the UK. While there, he met with first responders and their families about how mental health issues have affected their lives.
<p>"What I always find with the blue light community is that you put the hat and the uniform on day in and day out and you see whole families being torn apart," the Duke of Cambridge, who worked as an air ambulance pilot for several years, said. "If the blue light community can be more open about the things that bother them, then others can as well. We are not robots and, if you are in the emergency services for long enough, you see really distressing things. All that weighs upon you, and if you have something going on at home - family, illness - it all gets on top of you, too many things to keep a lid on."
<p>William also said he would like to train as a crisis line operator, which is amazing!
<p>Photo: © Ben Birchall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In September 2019, Prince William stepped out to Harcombe House in Devon, one of three residential centres run by The Fire Fighters' Charity in the UK. While there, he met with first responders and their families about how mental health issues have affected their lives.

"What I always find with the blue light community is that you put the hat and the uniform on day in and day out and you see whole families being torn apart," the Duke of Cambridge, who worked as an air ambulance pilot for several years, said. "If the blue light community can be more open about the things that bother them, then others can as well. We are not robots and, if you are in the emergency services for long enough, you see really distressing things. All that weighs upon you, and if you have something going on at home - family, illness - it all gets on top of you, too many things to keep a lid on."

William also said he would like to train as a crisis line operator, which is amazing!

Harry and <strong><a href=/tags/0/oprah-winfrey>Oprah Winfrey</a></strong> are currently working on an Apple TV+ series on mental health. <a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02019091852965/prince-harry-oprah-winfrey-mental-health-series-apple/><strong>Speaking to Bryony Gordon in 2019</a></strong>, the Duke of Sussex opened up about his huge goals for the series, which we now know will also involve <strong><a href=/tags/0/lady-gaga>Lady Gaga</a></strong> in some way.
<p>"When I did your podcast two years ago, the response made me realize what an impact sharing my story could have, and what an impact other stories can have for so many who are suffering silently," Harry said, according to <I>The Daily Telegraph</i>. "If the viewers can relate to the pain and perhaps the experience, then it could save lives, as we will focus on prevention and positive outcomes."
<p>Photos: © Getty Images

Kate's brother <strong><a href=/tags/0james-middleton>James Middleton</a></strong> has also been outspoken about his own mental health.
<p>In January 2019, he opened up in the <i>Daily Mail</i> about his struggles in a powerful piece about battling depression.
<p>"I feel - although I'd never say I am cured of it - that I now understand it and, with professional help, have worked out strategies for coping," he said. "Today, I feel a new sense of purpose and zest for life... I feel compelled to talk about it openly because this is precisely what my brother-in-law Prince William, my sister Catherine and Prince Harry are advocating through their mental health charity Heads Together."
<p>Photo: © Jeff Spicer/FilmMagic

James also <a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/02019082652663/james-middleton-opens-up-about-his-passion-for-beekeeping/><strong>opened up about how beekeeping has helped him</a></strong> with his mental health.
<p>""Bee keeping to me is a meditation," he wrote on Instagram last summer. "It's a chance to escape my mind and be so consumed by something that hours can pass by without knowing it. Meditation is a wonderful tool to help with stress, anxiety, depression and doesn't just need to be practiced sitting down!"
<p>Photo: © Isa Foltin/Getty Images for GQ Germany

In May 2019, William launched <strong><a href=/tags/0/heads-up>Heads Up</a></strong>, a new initiative that is intended to use soccer to prompt a UK-wide conversation about mental health.
<p><a href=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02020010354293/prince-william-voices-soccer-themed-ad-heads-up-mental-health-campaign/><strong>While meeting with soccer players</a></strong>, the Duke of Cambridge said the whole "stiff upper lip" mentality is an impediment to getting treatment and perpetuates mental health stigma.
<p>"I think emotions, feelings, are kind of like a bit alien over here - we don't really want to touch them too much because we're worried about how we're going to react or how people think about us," he said, encouraging players and fans to open up.
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/AFP via Getty Images