London — The Prince of Wales has spoken openly about taking time to “understand my emotions” during a special episode of BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks, calling for more male role models to talk publicly about their mental health.
Prince William joined host Greg James and a panel discussing male suicide, where he stressed that normalising open emotional conversations is essential to helping men seek support.
The prince, long known for his advocacy in mental health, has also committed £1 million through The Royal Foundation to help develop a new National Suicide Prevention Network.
“I take a long time trying to understand my emotions”
During the discussion, the Prince reflected on how he processes feelings:
“I take a long time trying to understand my emotions and why I feel like I do… sometimes there’s an obvious explanation, sometimes there isn’t.”
He added that recognising a mental-health crisis as temporary is vital:
“You can have a strong mental-health crisis moment, but it will pass.”
William encouraged people to “learn to love yourself and understand yourself,” saying that emotional awareness and knowledge are key to feeling confident when discussing mental health.
“We need more male role models”
Prince William said that for change to happen:
“We need more male role models out there, talking about it and normalising it.”
He said that charities and support organisations can be “that little stepping stone” for someone struggling, helping to push thoughts of suicide “further and further away.”
Professor Green: “It’s okay to have these conversations”
The panel also included:
- Professor Green (Stephen Manderson) – rapper and long-time mental-health advocate
- Allan Brownrigg – Director of Clinical Services at James’ Place charity
- Guvna B – musician and mental-health campaigner
- Nathan – a young man who shared his personal story
Professor Green, who lost his father to suicide and has spoken widely about men’s mental health, said he “jumped at the chance” to take part:
“These conversations are important to have, and it’s okay to have them.”
He added that Prince William’s openness was “incredibly important,” helping shine a light on issues men often avoid.
A cause deeply personal to the Prince
Prince William has spoken publicly about male suicide for years.
Last year, he became visibly emotional after hearing from Rhian Mannings, whose husband died by suicide shortly after the death of their young son.
The prince has repeatedly emphasised the human impact behind the statistics and the need to support families affected by such tragedies.
A new National Suicide Prevention Network
The Royal Foundation’s new initiative will bring together 20 organisations across the UK, chaired by Professor Ann John, an expert in suicide prevention and public health.
The network aims to:
- Understand root causes of suicide
- Improve support systems
- Reduce stigma
- Coordinate resources nationwide
The Foundation acknowledged that suicide prevention is a “complex challenge” with no single model that fits everyone.