Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the public eye in New York City to mark World Mental Health Day, where the Duke of Sussex gave a moving speech reflecting on the challenges of recent years.
On October 10, Prince Harry and Meghan attended Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival.
Their Archewell Foundation sponsored three panels at the festival. Discussions focused on the global mental health crisis, digital safety, and community healing.
Prince Harry gives speech at World Mental Health Day Festival in New York
During the opening session, titled “Thriving or Surviving: How Are Young People Doing in the Digital Age?”, Prince Harry, 41, took the stage while Meghan, 44, watched from the front row.
“Today is more than just about conversation. It’s about community,” Harry told the crowd, as reported by PEOPLE.
“The past five years have taught us painfully that crises rarely arrive in isolation. The global pandemic stripped away the ordinary scaffolding of life and brought a measurable surge in anxiety, depression and loss of connection.”
He also warned about the digital world’s harmful effects on young people.
The past five years have taught us painfully that crises rarely arrive in isolation.
Harry said: “Young people are exposed to relentless comparison, harassment, misinformation, and an attention economy designed to keep us scrolling at the expense of sleep and real human contact.”
Harry also emphasised that mental health is a shared responsibility.
He said: “Maintaining good mental health isn’t just an individual challenge. It is a community responsibility. Approach this way, everybody wins.”
Later in the day, Meghan introduced a second panel, “How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an International Mental Health Crisis, And How We Can Reverse It”. It was moderated by journalist Katie Couric.
The duchess spoke about Archewell Foundation’s The Parents Network. The Network supports families impacted by online harm.
“Three years ago we had met with families whose worlds had been absolutely shattered,” Meghan shared. “Parents who had lost children to social media driven suicide.
“What we learned in these moments is that these parents, they didn’t just need therapy, they need the other parents who understood their very specific grief. And when they came together, they weren’t just sharing stories, they’re creating a movement.”
Harry and Meghan receive Humanitarian Award
The couple’s New York visit began the night before, on October 9, at the Project Healthy Minds Gala. The duke and duchess were awarded Humanitarians of the Year for their global mental health work and digital advocacy.
After walking the red carpet hand-in-hand, Harry and Meghan delivered an emotional speech about the importance of building safer digital environments for young people and breaking mental health stigmas.
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While in New York, the couple also took time for a quiet lunch with long-time friend Serena Williams. PEOPLE confirmed that the three dined at Soho House New York on October 10. The duchess and the tennis icon have been close since connecting in 2014.
Through Archewell, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to focus on mental health, particularly how technology impacts youth and how communities can come together to heal and support one another.
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