Speaking before the opening of the Invictus Games for wounded veterans, he called for ‘a better way’ to tackle mental health
Prince Harry last night attacked Britain’s pill-popping culture which he said dominates doctors’ approach to depression.
Speaking before the opening of the Invictus Games for wounded veterans, he called for ‘a better way’ to tackle mental health.
He told doctors at a pioneering mental health clinic: ‘It seems we suffer from a culture where a pill will fix everything. There has to be a better way than just giving out anti-depressants.’
His comments come only two days after Prince William was criticised for controversially discussing the legalisation of drugs with former addicts.
Today, The Mail on Sunday also reveals how the Princes’ mother was ‘dosed with anti-depressants’ because physicians thought she was suffering from an obscure mental condition.
Harry said: ‘There were 65 million [anti-depressants] given out in one year in the UK alone. That’s why I look to you guys in this room. Everyone is uniquely wired is what I keep saying. There is no one silver bullet, no one cure for everyone.’
Harry, 33, also listened keenly as he was told about the ground-breaking research carried out at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto – including a potential chemical ‘antidote’ to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Prince Harry, who met Melania Trump today, told doctors at a pioneering mental health clinic: ‘It seems we suffer from a culture where a pill will fix everything
The centre is a world leader in treating psychological conditions and the Prince hopes to take lessons from there back to the UK.
Harry has been praised for his work in raising the issue of mental health alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as candidly admitting his own problems in the past.
He told the group: ‘Everyone is doing their bit just trying to normalise it so people can seek help without judgment.’
Gloria Chaim, of the child, youth and family programme at CAMH, said meeting Harry reminded her of a visit by his mother 26 years ago. ‘It was really inspiring when I met Princess Diana in 1991 – especially when mental health was this taboo subject.
Today, The Mail on Sunday also reveals how the Princes’ mother was ‘dosed with anti-depressants’ because physicians thought she was suffering from an obscure mental condition
‘With Harry there today, it felt like he was carrying on her legacy and continuing a conversation she started many years ago.’
The visit came just hours before the Prince opened the third Invictus contest which has brought wounded athletes from 17 nations to Canada in an eight-day event.
Crowds of well-wishers are hoping Harry will choose the occasion to officially ‘introduce’ his girlfriend Meghan Markle, as rumours of a possible engagement between him and the TV actress abound.
But yesterday at least, the glamour was provided by US First Lady Melania Trump – who beat her husband Donald to meeting a British Royal after his plan for a state visit to the UK was put on ice.
Wearing a black and white dog tooth Dior suit, the former model sat alongside Harry for the two-hour opening ceremony at the 20,000-seater Air Canada Centre. Earlier, Harry showed his lighter side and played Prince Charming to wake up burly Australian athlete Kris Lane at the poolside.
Astonished Lane, 23, from Brisbane, decided to take a quick nap on a back row of the spectator stand, but the Prince spotted him as he was being shown around.
‘I put my water bottle behind my head and just passed out for a sleep,’ said the former soldier.
‘The next thing I knew, Harry was shaking my chest and saying, “Hey, Kris.” I was actually in shock – it was strange.’