Sussexes to be Honored in New York for Mental Health Advocacy
NEW YORK, NY — Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, are set to be honored in New York City for their unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy, particularly their impactful work in fostering a safer online environment for young people and families. The royal couple will accept Project Healthy Minds’ prestigious Humanitarians of the Year Award at the non-profit’s World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday, October 9.
The Duke, 40, and Duchess, 44, are being recognized for their extensive efforts to advance global mental wellbeing and their pioneering initiatives aimed at mitigating the pervasive harms of the digital world. Their dedication stems from a deeply personal place, as parents to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. “Working with families and young people to prioritize safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives,” the couple stated. “As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honored to support them. We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Central to their advocacy is The Archewell Foundation, established by the Sussexes in 2020 with a mission to “show up, do good.” Through Archewell, they launched “The Parent’s Network,” a vital initiative designed to support families profoundly affected by the adverse effects of online harm. This program debuted at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival in 2023, demonstrating their ongoing partnership and shared vision.
Their two-day engagement in New York will extend beyond the gala. On Friday, October 10, the couple will actively participate in Project Healthy Minds’ fourth annual World Mental Health Day Festival. The Archewell Foundation will co-produce a series of insightful conversations, bringing together a diverse array of change-makers dedicated to driving progress in the mental health sector.
A poignant highlight of the festival will be the display of “The Lost Screen Memorial.” This somber and powerful tribute, originally unveiled by The Archewell Foundation in New York in April, serves as a stark reminder of the profound cost of unregulated digital spaces. It honors the children who have tragically lost their lives due to the severe harms of social media, an issue the Duke and Duchess have personally addressed, including attending a private vigil at the memorial site earlier this spring.
The festival promises to be a convergence of prominent voices in the mental health and wellness sphere, with attendees including spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, veteran journalist Katie Couric, Boardroom co-founder Rich Kleiman, acclaimed author Jonathan Haidt, and renowned parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy, alongside numerous parent activists whose personal stories underscore the urgency of the cause. The couple’s sustained efforts, both through their foundation and their public platforms, continue to shine a critical light on the complex challenges of mental wellness in the digital age.
