In a deeply personal and powerful interview with CBS Sunday Morning’s Jane Pauley, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spoke candidly about mental health, parenthood, and their renewed efforts to protect children and teens from the growing dangers of online harm. It marked their first joint televised interview since 2021, and the conversation shone a spotlight on the emotional challenges the couple has faced — as well as the advocacy work they continue to pursue through the Archewell Foundation.
Meghan opened up about her past experiences with mental health, including a period during which she struggled with suicidal thoughts. While these experiences were painful, she explained that they have become a driving force in her ongoing commitment to destigmatizing mental health and promoting emotional well-being.
“If sharing what I’ve been through can help someone or inspire them to check in on others more often — to not assume everything is fine just because someone looks okay — then it’s worth it,” Meghan said during the interview. “I’ll take the hit for that.”
A Renewed Focus on Mental Health and Digital Safety
The interview coincided with the public launch of The Parents’ Network, a new initiative by the Archewell Foundation aimed at equipping families with the tools and knowledge to safeguard their children in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.ⁱ
The initiative focuses on three core pillars:
- Mental health awareness
- Online safety
- Support for families facing digital harm
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, there is growing evidence that excessive or unsafe use of digital platforms can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem among children and adolescents.² Meghan and Harry emphasized that their advocacy is rooted not only in their public work but in their personal experiences as parents.
“Our Children Are Our Compass”
During the CBS interview, Meghan spoke warmly about their two children, Prince Archie (5) and Princess Lilibet (3), noting that they are the inspiration behind much of the couple’s work.
“They’re truly incredible. But as parents, our main instinct is to protect them. With everything that’s unfolding in the online world, it’s clear there’s so much work to be done. We’re just grateful to play a part in helping create a safer digital environment,” Meghan shared.
Prince Harry echoed the sentiment, speaking to the overwhelming responsibilities modern parents face when trying to shield their children from harmful online content.
“We’ve reached a stage where nearly every parent must become an emergency responder,” he explained. “Even the most trained professionals in the world struggle to keep up with the pace of change in the online environment. We need better safeguards, more support, and honest conversations.”
The Rise of Digital Harm Among Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that suicide is now the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10–24 in the United States.³ Many experts cite social media — particularly cyberbullying, body shaming, and online harassment — as contributing factors to rising rates of youth depression and anxiety.
Organizations like Common Sense Media and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have long advocated for better digital education and stronger online protections for children.⁴ Harry and Meghan’s work through Archewell aligns with these efforts and has received praise from mental health professionals and educators alike.
The Parents’ Network: Building Community and Providing Resources
The Parents’ Network is not just a digital awareness campaign — it’s a community-building initiative that brings together families, educators, technology experts, and mental health advocates to support one another and share tools for safer online engagement.
The platform offers:
- Curated educational resources for parents and guardians
- Stories from families affected by digital harm
- Tools for advocating policy change
- Webinars with experts in child psychology and digital safety
Harry and Meghan are using their platform to highlight the voices of families who have experienced the worst outcomes of online harm. “These aren’t just statistics,” Meghan noted. “These are real parents and children whose lives were changed forever. Their stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”
Speaking Up to Break the Silence
This isn’t the first time Meghan has spoken out about mental health. In her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she revealed the emotional toll that royal life and relentless media scrutiny had taken on her. That conversation sparked global discussions about mental health stigma, particularly among public figures.
What makes the CBS interview stand out is its proactive tone. Instead of focusing solely on past pain, the couple emphasized how those experiences have motivated them to lead change. Meghan’s courage in speaking about her struggles — and Harry’s support — serve as a reminder that vulnerability is not weakness but strength.
Expert Reactions: Advocacy That Inspires Action
Mental health experts have responded positively to the couple’s interview and their continued advocacy. Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, praised their efforts in a recent post:
“Meghan and Harry are using their visibility to highlight real issues. Their voices matter, and their willingness to speak openly helps normalize seeking support and talking about difficult emotions.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also consistently highlighted the importance of early mental health intervention, especially among youth. According to the WHO, over 50% of mental health conditions begin before the age of 14.⁵ Initiatives like The Parents’ Network aim to intervene early — not only by offering education but by creating safe spaces for dialogue.
Setting an Example for Digital Responsibility
The Archewell Foundation’s work comes at a time when tech regulation and digital child safety are global priorities. The UK’s Online Safety Act and proposed legislation in the U.S., such as the Kids Online Safety Act, seek to hold social media platforms accountable for the content available to young users.⁶
While Meghan and Harry are not policymakers, their public influence has helped raise awareness about the urgent need for industry accountability, parental support, and youth-centered safety measures. They often collaborate with nonprofits and think tanks to amplify expert-driven solutions and provide grants to organizations working on the front lines of digital safety.
Final Thoughts: From Vulnerability to Empowerment
What resonates most from the CBS interview is not just Meghan and Harry’s vulnerability, but their transformation of personal experience into public service. Their message is clear: mental health matters, family safety is non-negotiable, and no one should navigate the challenges of parenting in the digital age alone.
Their latest initiative, The Parents’ Network, is an invitation for families to connect, learn, and advocate for safer spaces — both online and offline. And by opening up about their struggles, Meghan and Harry continue to destigmatize mental health and model compassionate leadership.
As the conversation around mental health and digital safety continues, it’s evident that the couple’s work is making an impact — not just in policy or programming, but in the lives of real families looking for hope, guidance, and support in a rapidly changing world.
Sources:
- Archewell Foundation – www.archewell.com
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health – www.hhs.gov
- CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey – www.cdc.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics – Media and Mental Health Guidelines
- World Health Organization – Adolescent Mental Health Factsheet
- UK Online Safety Act & U.S. Kids Online Safety Act – Official Government Publications
