Meghan Markle Decided to Be "Open" About Her Mental Health to "Save" Others

"I would never want someone else to feel that way."

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks at 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival on March 08, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
(Image credit: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave a rare joint interview to CBS Sunday Morning's Jane Pauley, which aired on August 4.

During the discussion, the Sussexes launched The Parents' Network, a program designed to support the parents of children who have been traumatized by social media and the internet, including those who have taken their own lives. Pauley asked the Duchess of Sussex about the experience that "connects you to these families," via CNN. Although she appeared to be surprised by the question, Meghan was candid about the mental health difficulties she has discussed in the past.

"When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it," the duchess explained. "And you know, I haven’t really scraped the surface on my experience."

Harry and Meghan on the dangers of online harm - YouTube Harry and Meghan on the dangers of online harm - YouTube
Watch On

She continued, "But I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way. And I would never want someone else to be making those sort of plans. And I would never want someone else to not be believed." As a result, the former Suits star felt it was important to discuss her own difficulties, especially if it meant other people would find help quicker than she did.

"So, if me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really genuinely check in on them and not assume that the appearance is good, so everything’s okay, then that’s worth it," Meghan told Pauley. "I’ll take a hit for that."

Back in 2021, Meghan and Harry sat down with Oprah Winfrey for an eye-opening interview about their time as senior royals. During the discussion, Meghan revealed she'd experienced suicidal thoughts and ideation as a result of the racist harassment she faced from the British press, along with a lack of support from the royal family.

"I was ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss he's suffered," Meghan told Winfrey. "But I knew if I didn't say it, I'd do it. And I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought."

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

Amy Mackelden
Weekend Editor

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

Read more
Meghan Markle smiling and wearing a black winter hat and white puffer coat
Meghan Markle Opens Up About Her "Normal" Mom Friends in Montecito
Kate Middleton wears a teal dress and has long brunette hair and bangs, Prince William wears a tuxedo
Kate Middleton and Prince William "Worried" About Raising Kids in the Royal Family, Says Former Aide
Prince William visits mental health charity
Prince William Discusses "Terrifying" Volunteering Experience at a Mental Health Helpline
Kate Middleton has long brown hair and is wearing a pink dress
Kate Middleton Says the "World Is Filled With Mistrust and Misunderstanding" in Emotional New Statement
Meghan Markle wearing a black sweater and folding her arms looking down
How Meghan Markle Got Billie Eilish to Make One L.A. Fire Victim's Dream Come True
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wear black as they view tributes at Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth, who died on September 8, 2022
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Issue Statement on California's Devastating Wildfires
Latest in Royals
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Meghan Markle wears a white shirt and blue jeans while she carries daughter Princess Lilibet and hugs son Prince Archie
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
Latest in News
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
Bella Hadid walks into a studio wearing an oversize leather jacket with a pair of capri leggings and ballet sneakers
The Ballet Sneaker Trend Is Bella Hadid's Undisputed It-Shoe of 2025
Keke Palmer in a brown cutout dress and long copper hair
Keke Palmer Returns to the Dark Side With Deep Espresso Hair
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Jennifer Lawrence
The Jennifer Lawrence-Approved Adidas Sneakers Everyone's Talking About Are Secretly On Sale at Nordstrom