Prince William Highlights Male Suicide Crisis in UK
Prince William has described the high rate of male suicide in the UK as a “national catastrophe” during a radio appearance where he discussed his personal methods for managing difficult emotions.
Speaking on a special episode of Radio 1’s Life Hacks, William emphasized the need for more male role models to openly discuss their mental health. He stated that such openness would encourage other men to do the same and help make conversations about emotions and mental health “second nature to us all.”
Personal Reflections on Mental Health
During the panel discussion on male suicide with host Greg James, which aired at 8pm on Wednesday, William shared insights into his own emotional process. He said:
“I take a long time trying to understand my emotions and why I feel like I do, and I feel like that’s a really important process to do every now and again, to check in with yourself and work out why you’re feeling like you do.
Sometimes there’s an obvious explanation, sometimes there isn’t. I think that idea that mental health crisis is temporary [is important] – you can have a strong mental health crisis moment but it will pass.”
Statistics reveal that suicide was the leading cause of death among young people aged 20 to 34 in England and Wales in 2024.
Royal Foundation’s Commitment and Encouragement
Mental health and suicide prevention have been recurring topics for William, whose Royal Foundation is contributing £1 million to establish a National Suicide Prevention Network.
He encouraged listeners to:
“learn to love yourself and understand yourself”
and commended mental health charities for providing “that little stepping stone” that helps individuals navigate difficult periods.
He further added:
“And if we talk about that more, and educate people more, then hopefully the idea of suicide keeps being pushed further and further away. Because you know that tomorrow, you might wake up and you might feel very different.”
When asked about his children’s openness regarding their feelings, William responded with humor:
“Sometimes too much. I get all the details, which I love, it’s amazing.”
Panel Discussion with Rapper Professor Green
The panel also included rapper Professor Green, whose real name is Stephen Manderson. He has been an advocate for mental health awareness for several years and previously created the documentary Suicide and Me, which explored the impact of losing his father to suicide.
Professor Green emphasized the importance of these conversations, stating:
“I’ve got a little boy and I hate to think of him growing up in a world where he doesn’t have a circle of friends that he knows he can go to, or services that he knows he can access if in a time of need, at a time when he perhaps doesn’t have me.”
As a supporter of the suicide prevention charity Calm, Professor Green highlighted the significance of Prince William’s involvement, saying:
“It’s incredibly important to have the support of Prince William, not least of all because of the openness that he shows up with, which I don’t think people would necessarily expect.”
He added:
“But he’s obviously gone through his own life of suffering and experience and things he’s seen first-hand. And I just think it enables us to shine such a light on something that people will otherwise just avoid.”
