Meghan Markle Admits Battling Suicidal Thoughts 'While Living With The Royal Family'

(Trigger Warning: This story mentions mental health and suicide. If you feel suicidal or know someone in distress, please reach out to them with kindness or reach out to local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs)

Yesterday evening, during an appearance, Meghan revealed that she had struggled with suicidal thoughts when she was a member of the royal family.At the Ripple of Hope Gala in New York City, the Duchess of Sussex said that she "doesn't want anyone to feel alone" by publicly speaking about her battle with mental illness.

Meghan Markle revealed that there was a phase in her life when she was struggling with suicidal thoughts.

"I don't want anyone to feel alone," she said, adding that being that low can be difficult because "you don't see a way out."

While living behind royal walls, the 41-year-old Duchess of Sussex revealed she had seriously contemplated suicide "it wasn’t an easy decision to make, as you can imagine."

Markle was asked by an audience member at Tuesday night's Ripple of Hope Awards why she decided to announce this in her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

She said,?"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 voiced.?We all?need to, when we can, if we feel brave enough, speak honestly about your own experience. 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 her interview with Winfrey, Markle shocked everyone when she said that 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. I just didn’t want to be alive anymore."

After receiving the award, the Sussexes addressed the crowd, with Markle saying,?

"But ultimately, if you feel like someone else has a lived experience. they’ve gotten to the other side and given an 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 decided to 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."?

As he told the attendees, "My wife inspires me every single day," Harry said that the pair was on a "really special date night" and also that they wanted to be "advocates of healing."

Harry emphasized that the stories they have had to tell must be shared with the world, stating,

"Ultimately we live in this world now where sharing experiences and sharing stories has an enormous impact,’ adding it was essential to undertake ‘if you are in a position of influence, leadership, or otherwise."

He further stated,?"99 percent of people on planet earth are dealing with some form of trauma, loss or pain even more so since 2020."

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"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."

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