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Meghan Markle revealed she spoke out about her suicidal thoughts because “I don’t want anyone to feel alone” — adding that when you are that low it can be hard “you don’t see a way out.”
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, was asked about her decision to detail the moment she considered ending her life while living inside palace walls and admitted that “it wasn’t an easy decision to make, as you can imagine.”
Asked why she chose to reveal this during her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Markle told a crowd at the Ripple of Hope Awards Tuesday night: “I don’t want anyone to feel alone.
“And when you’ve been through anything that’s challenging, and everyone, especially in the past few years with lockdown and COVID, that spike in numbers of people having an experience they might not be voicing.
“We all need to, when we can, if we feel brave enough, to just speak honestly about your own experience,” she said: “It gives other people space and the courage to do the same, but more than that to really feel like you’re not alone, because I think that is often what can be the largest hindrance when you feel that way, you don’t see a way out.”
During the Winfrey interview, Markle stunned viewers when she said she had been the victim of “character assassination” and that the pressure drove her to the point of self-harm.
“Look, 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 has suffered, but I knew that if I didn’t say it, then I would do it,” the former actress admitted: “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.”
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The Sussexes spoke to the crowd after picking up their own honor and Markle said: “But ultimately, if you feel like there’s someone else that has a lived experience. they’ve gotten to the other side, and gave example of resilience, an example of ‘there is a happy ending’, I think that’s what most people are probably seeking out in those moments.
“And that’s why I made the decision to just say ‘if my experience can help someone else not feel the same way or to know that there’s hope then it’s worth every second of whatever comes with it.”
In a lighter moment, Markle said the couple was on a “very special date night”, as a smitten Harry added they wanted to be “advocates of healing” as he told the guests: “My wife inspires me every single day.”
Harry insisted that the world has to share their stories, saying, “Ultimately we live in this world now where sharing experiences and sharing stories has an enormous impact,’ adding it was important to undertake ‘if you are in a position of influence, leadership, or otherwise.”
He added, “99 percent of people on planet earth are dealing with some form of trauma, loss or pain even more so since 2020.”
“But you’ve got to lead from the front – society as we know is not made up to encourage vulnerability. We collectively can heal together if we share our stories.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 998 or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
