The Archbishop of Canterbury has written an opinion piece in The Sunday Times to discuss how The Duke of Cambridge has helped and encouraged him to seek support for his depression.
“I am deeply grateful to His Royal Highness for speaking publicly about mental health and hope it might encourage others who are suffering alone to seek help and support,” said Archbishop Welby.
“It encouraged me to seek help when I was struggling, help that was effective.”
Archbishop Welby’s piece was featured in The Sunday Times as Mental Health Awareness Week came to an end and he wrote of his struggles with his own mental health. He also spoke of the way people are uniting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme was ‘kindness.’ This matters more than ever. We know the public acts that have been lauded and applauded. There are also the quieter gestures that go unnoticed but to a few people (and to God),” Archbishop Welby wrote.
“During the current darkness, I have seen so much light in the form of these simple, unexpected acts, people reaching beyond the bounds of self-isolation to touch the lives of others.”
Welby wrote about online church services — which William contributed to on Sunday — and other ways people are coming together despite the social distancing regulations currently in place but he noted that there are more consequences than purely physical contact.
“The consequences of the coronavirus have been far more than physical,” Archbishop Welby wrote. “Many are now struggling with limited finances, are concerned about job security, stressed by the pressures of juggling homeschooling and work or missing their schools and their friends.”
Talking about the struggles we all may be facing, Archbishop Welby said: “None of us is alone. If the struggle is too great, then ask for help. It could be from a doctor, a friend or a family member. Having mental health issues is as normal as any other issue. It is neither shameful nor the end of hope of an abundant life.”
In a separate piece for The Sunday Times, Roya Nikkhah reports that Archbishop Welby is close to both Princes William and Harry and has confided with them in the past about his mental health and William and Harry are thought to have confided in Welby about their own mental health, as well.
