MPs lead chorus of praise for ‘brave and important’ comments
PRINCE HARRY’S candid disclosures have opened the floodgates for others speaking frankly about their mental health, as MPs lead the way to describe their own grief and “madness”.
Politicians from the Conservative and Labour parties yesterday shared their own stories of bereavement, saying “all credit” was due to the Prince in helping others open up.
Campaigners said it would be a “true turning point” in wider society, as readers took to social media to explain how Prince Harry’s words had affected them.
John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, wrote on Twitter: “Prince Harry opening up about the way he processed his grief will help a lot of people. My chaos and madness after losing my sister kicked in straight away. Grateful people stuck with me. Well done Harry for talking about this.”
John Nicholson, from the SNP, said: “Good for Prince Harry. Having lost my dad as a young teenager I can relate to what he says about locking away grief.”
Ed Vaizey, the Conservative MP for Didcot and Wantage, said: “What a brave and important thing he’s done.”
Matt Warman, Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness, said: “My parents died when I was 28 – Prince Harry has done a huge service to all of us who struggled to deal with loss.” Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, wrote: “Big big respect to Prince Harry for opening up about his mental health and grief. Losing a parent so young is v.tough. I lost my Dad at 13 – doing so in the public eye would have been harder still.” David Lammy, his Labour colleague, added: “All credit to Prince Harry for opening up about how he processed his grief. Will help a lot of people. Big respect.”
Ben Gummer, minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Remarkable interview from Prince Harry on mental health: his bravery will make so much difference to millions.”
Thousands of members of the public also shared their thoughts, admitting that they could relate to Prince Harry’s words.
“Having lost my dad at the same age as Prince Harry lost his mother, I have the utmost respect for him speaking out on suppressed emotions,” said one.
Using the hashtag publicised by charity Heads Together, another said: “Prince Harry is an absolute inspiration. You are making it #oktosay and showing great guts by being so open and honest. Can I do the same?”
Another wrote: “The more young, advantaged men speak out about having therapy, the better chance we have of reducing male suicide rates.”
Daily Telegraph readers, too, commended Prince Harry for his honesty.
David Kidd said: “The younger members of the Royal family show a degree normality not previously apparent in the family, where protocol seemed to prevail. In doing so, they are doing a great deal to secure the future of our monarchy.”
Others raised concerns that the true problem for ordinary members of the public lay with the provision of mental health services by the NHS, warning more must be done to prevent cuts.