Last October 2019, Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran have teamed up in a video to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day — with a light-hearted jibe at their own plight as Britain’s most famous redheads.
In the video, shared on the official Sussex Royal Instagram account, the famous duo discuss the issue of mental health, and urge everyone to “look out for anybody that might be suffering in silence”.
Yet despite the serious message, the video starts on a humorous note. When the pair sit down to discuss their collaboration, Prince Harry explains that Sheeran has the right “skillset” to create a song to help fight the problem.
“This for me is a subject and conversation which is just not talked about enough, I think people all over the world are really suffering,” says Prince Harry. “Guys this World Mental Health Day, reach out, make sure your friends, strangers look out for anyone who might be suffering in silence; we’re all in this together,” added Prince Harry.
A message released with the video added: “Both Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran want to ensure that not just today, but every day, you look after yourself, your friends and those around you.
“There’s no need to suffer in silence — share how you’re feeling, ask how someone is doing and listen for the answer. Be willing to ask for help when you need it and know that we are all in this together.”
Mental health has become a cornerstone of Prince Harry’s philanthropic work and he spearheaded the Heads Together campaign alongside Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge in 2017.
The risks apply to the Philippines as well. Experts shared that mental illnesses and suicide cases among the youth have increased in the last few years.
In 2004, over 4.5 million cases of depression were reported in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Suicide cases in the Philippines recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012 also reported over 2,000 cases from 2000 to 2012. The Majority of those who died by suicide were between 15 to 29 years old.
World Mental Health Day is marked annually on October 10, and the World Federation for Mental Health chose suicide prevention as the main focus of this year’s event.
Every year, close to 800,000 people die from suicide around the world, according to the WHO. In the UK alone there were 6,507 deaths from suicide as reported last 2018.
With additional reports: CNN Matthew Robinson, Rappler, Sofia Tomacruz
Photo and Video Sources: etonline.com, The Royal Family Channel YT Channel, eonline.com
