The Duke of Sussex has again confided in The Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon about plans for a television series focusing on mental health issues. Prince Harry, along with Oprah Winfrey, will be co-creator and co-executive producer and feature collaborations with American filmmaker Dawn Porter, and Asif Kapadia, documentarian and four-time BAFTA winner for films such as 2015’s Amy and 2010’s Senna.
In today’s @Telegraph, the Duke of Sussex has filled me in on the new mental health docu-series he is working on with @Oprah and @asifkapadia, director of Senna and Amy. https://t.co/gzCIeEsW8e
— Bryony Gordon (@bryony_gordon) September 18, 2019
The series will debut on the AppleTV+ streaming service next year.
Prince Harry, speaking to Ms. Gordon, said the television series “will focus on breaking down the stigma and shame surrounding mental illness – showing examples of the ‘human spirit fighting back from the darkest places’ as the Duke puts it”.
In a lengthy column posted to the Daily Telegraph’s website, Ms. Gordon revisits the first time she and the Duke spoke about mental health. In April 2017, she interviewed the Prince and recalled what an important moment it was, not only for the Royal Family – the first time one of its members had publicly spoken about a mental health issue – but for the male gender as well. She credits Harry for his openness and for paving the way for men, particularly young men, to seek out help.
Prince Harry speaks to Bryony Gordon about mental health again. Pictured at Borough Market in 2017. Picture by i-Images / Pool
Remind yourself of the moment here.
It was a turning point for the Duke as well. “When I did your podcast two years ago, the response made me realise what an impact sharing my story could have, and what an impact other stories can have for so many who are suffering silently. If the viewers can relate to the pain and perhaps the experience, then it could save lives, as we will focus on prevention and positive outcomes”, he tells Gordon.
In the two years since the podcast, Prince Harry has championed mental health issues. He has collaborated closely with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Heads Together campaign, and back in May launched a new initiative called Shout, a service offered in tandem with emergency services for clients in crisis.
There are a thousand ways to start a conversation about your crisis. We are here for all of them. Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 support. Save and retweet this #WorldSuicidePreventionDay to ensure no-one goes through a crisis alone. #WSPD pic.twitter.com/I5Ssbzz4rF
— Shout UK (@GiveUsAShout) September 10, 2019
The Duke of Sussex has made no secret of his struggles; in fact, he seems more inclined than ever to embrace them and acknowledge the benefits of weathering many a personal storm.
“What I have learned and I continue to learn in the space of mental health, mental illness and self-awareness is that all roads lead back to our mental well-being, how we look after ourselves and each other,” he tells Gordon.
