In their first joint interview since 2021, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sat down with CBS Sunday Morning’s Jane Pauley to shed light on their latest project — one that’s close to both their hearts.
Meghan spoke candidly about her past struggles with suicidal thoughts, sharing how that painful chapter in her life continues to fuel her passion for mental health work.
The couple used the opportunity to highlight the serious risks that social media poses for kids today. They’ve been working closely with families who have experienced unimaginable loss, as their children became victims of online bullying. As they explained, their mission is to create a safer, more compassionate digital space for the next generation.
Reflecting on her 2021 Oprah interview, Meghan emphasized the value of speaking openly about mental health. She said that sharing her pain is part of healing and hopes others never feel the same loneliness or struggle.
During her Oprah interview, a pregnant Meghan Markle revealed she was denied mental health support by the institution. She said, “I told them I needed help… that I’d never felt this way before,” but was told seeking help “wouldn’t be good for the institution.”
During the CBS interview, Meghan emphasized why it was so important for her to speak out, even if it meant revisiting painful memories. “So, if me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really just annually check in on them, and not assume that the appearance is good, so everything’s OK, then that’s worth it,” she said. “I’ll take a hit for that.”
Their latest project, The Parents’ Network, falls under the umbrella of the Archewell Foundation. It’s designed to spotlight the dangers that social media can pose to kids and teenagers. For Harry and Meghan…
“I think change has to start somewhere,” Meghan said. “The simplest thing anyone can do is ask: What if it were my child? My son or daughter — full of joy, safe at home — and then everything changes because of something beyond our control. When you see it as a parent, you can’t help but want to find a solution.”
“Our kids are young, they’re 3 and 5,” Meghan shared. “They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. As we can see what is happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work there and we’re just happy to be part of a change for good.”
Harry built on Meghan’s thoughts, reflecting on the challenges of raising children in today’s digital world. He explained that the situation has reached a point where nearly every parent has to act like a first responder. “At this point we’ve gotten to a place where almost every parent needs to be a first responder, and even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to…”