Prince William admits understanding his own emotions takes time as he urges men to speak up about mental health
Prince William has candidly opened up about his difficulty processing his emotions and what he and other men should do to look after their mental health.
Prince William has opened up about the personal work he does to understand his own emotions, saying he often needs time to process how he feels.
Speaking during a special Life Hacks discussion on BBC Radio 1, the Prince of Wales reflected on the importance of emotional self‑awareness while calling for more male role models to speak publicly about mental health.
He explained that regularly checking in with himself has become an essential part of maintaining his well-being.
The 43-year-old future king said: “I take a long time trying to understand my emotions and why I feel like I do.
“Sometimes there’s an obvious explanation, sometimes there isn’t. I think that idea that mental health crisis is temporary — you can have a strong mental health crisis moment but it will pass.”
William’s candid reflections set the tone for a wider conversation about male suicide, hosted by Radio 1 DJ Greg James, where the prince stressed that open dialogue can save lives.
He argued that men often struggle to express vulnerability, and that seeing other men speak honestly could help break down long‑standing stigma.
He said: “We need more male role models out there, talking about it and normalising it, so that it becomes second nature to all of us."
Mental health has long been a central focus of William’s charitable work, and his Royal Foundation is now contributing £1 million to help develop a National Suicide Prevention Network. The initiative aims to strengthen support systems across the UK and ensure people in crisis can access help more quickly.
During the panel, William - who has Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis with wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44 - encouraged listeners to “learn to love yourself and understand yourself,” adding that education and awareness can act as a protective barrier during difficult moments.
He also highlighted the crucial role of frontline organisations, describing them as a “stepping stone” for anyone struggling to cope.
Prince William added that with the right support and openness, "hopefully the idea of suicide keeps being pushed further and further away. Because you know that tomorrow, you might wake up and you might feel very different.”
