*In a heartfelt interview, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, revealed that she has only “scraped the surface” of her experiences with bullying. While describing her past suicidal thoughts, she connected these personal struggles to a broader mission.
On Sunday, Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, launched The Parents’ Network. The initiative aims to offer crucial support to parents who have lost children or whose children have suffered directly or indirectly due to social media’s harmful impacts.
Markle discussed her ordeal on “CBS Sunday Morning,” sharing that part of her healing journey is being open about her experiences.
“I haven’t really scraped the surface of my experience. But I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way,” Markle told Jane Pauley. She expressed that her openness might encourage someone to check in on others genuinely, beyond appearances.
In a notable 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Markle, 43, revealed she had suicidal ideations while pregnant with her son Archie. The pressures of royal life and relentless negative media coverage contributed significantly to her distress. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Markle confessed during the interview, adding that the negative reports seemed incessant and overwhelming.
Despite her attempts to seek help, including reaching out to a senior Palace member, Markle faced rejection. The pain became so overwhelming that she was initially scared to confide in Prince Harry. When she eventually did, his support was immediate and emotional — he cradled her, providing the comfort she desperately needed.
Now, with two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Markle and Harry are dedicated to ensuring other families do not endure the same pain. Through The Parents’ Network, they hope to address the destructive consequences of social media. The initiative, under the umbrella of the Archewell Foundation, will provide indispensable support to parents whose children have faced near-fatal harm, ongoing mental health struggles, or the tragic loss of a child due to the toxic environment online.
“Our kids are young; they’re 3 and 5. They’re amazing,” Markle expressed to Pauley. “But all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”
In a world increasingly dominated by digital interaction and social media, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are striving to create a safer, more supportive environment for families and children. Their advocacy and initiatives like The Parents’ Network are steps toward building that better future. Through their efforts, they hope to mitigate the harmful impacts of social media and provide much-needed support to those who have suffered its severe consequences.
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