Prince William Marks the End of Pride Month by Discussing Mental Health with Young People

The Prince of Wales spoke to young volunteers at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London about mental health in the LGBTQ+ community

Prince William is shining a light on mental health issues in the LGBTQ+ community.

To close out Pride Month, a new video was shared on Friday of the Prince of Wales visiting the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in South London — one of the oldest LGBTQ+ spaces in the U.K. and rumoured to have been visited by Princess Diana with Freddie Mercury — to speak about improving mental health within the LGBTQ+ community.

"I thought it was quite useful to bring you guys together for Pride," William, 41, said to young volunteers Alexis, Michael and Sharvari from charities The Mix and Shout before asking, "How important is a place and space like this for your community to be able to come to and be able to talk and meet and feel alive?"

"We are losing physical spaces like the wonderful one we're standing in," Alexis said, adding that the community is having to “fight to protect” spaces like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which are being “lost all over the country. There is nothing like actually coming together in person."

"I feel very underdressed today in the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. I should have come in some sequins or some glitter," the prince said with a laugh, before Alexis joked he should return on a Friday night.

Despite the friendly atmosphere, the royal was keen to discover how the group had benefited from volunteering with The Mix and Shout, two charities that provide support for those struggling with their mental health. "It sort of brought a sense of joy back into my life where I felt like, at least if I've done nothing else today like, at least I've done something for somebody else," Shavari told the royal. "I am worthwhile, I am worthy, I am worth like, taking up space," she added.

Prince William then talked to the group about how they go about sharing who they are with friends and family. "We all have felt that same feeling that we're like different," Shavari explained.

She and the royal then discussed when she had first recognized her mental health was important, her journey of starting therapy and that people can feel they need to reach "crisis point" before seeking help. "Some might say mental fitness is really important," the prince said.

William shared that he had read research from Stonewall — which carries out studies on the LGBTQ+ community — that said: “1 in 8 young men kill themselves in the community."

"That’s an unbelievable, terrifying stat,” he added.

“We categorically know it is not sexuality or gender identity which causes mental ill health, it is actually the experience from the wide world," Alexis explained. “Experiencing homophobia, discrimination, negative discourse on social media, bullying, lack of protections, fear of how you’re going to be rejected by family — all of those things add to the mental load.”

Related: Prince William and Prince Harry Unite for Award in Name of Late Mother Princess Diana

The prince also asked for "tips and tricks for keeping your mental fitness going," and questioned the group on "when people need the support, what do you advise is the best thing to do?" Michael explained to William that reaching out to charities and organizations had helped him, while Alexis suggested to "ask twice" if someone seems like they may need help.

After Michael mentioned that it can be difficult for young men to talk about their mental health, the Prince shared his own insights.

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“Guys particularly find emotions quite difficult. Don’t quite know how to deal with them. Strong emotions, no emotions, whatever it might be — we find it quite hard.” William continued, “I think that’s where we’ve got to get better at an open conversation about these things.”

After the group shared their excitement about Pride celebrations, William thanked them and added, “I think it will mean an awful lot to everyone to talk about it and hear it from people who have lived it.

The new video was shared the same day William and his brother Prince Harry came together in the name of their late mother Princess Diana.

Related: Kate Middleton Has the Best Reaction When Kids Ask Her Age: ‘Don’t Tell Anyone!’

On Friday, the princes appeared in two separate videos for the annual Diana Award honoring young changemakers around the world. William helped open the annual ceremony while Harry introduced a group of winners, as the awards championed 189 young people from 31 countries.

Prince William spoke at the start and was introduced by former Diana Award Legacy Award winner Hannah Hodgson, who met the prince two years ago. The Prince of Wales praised her and the other young people for the "challenges they have overcome" to reach this point. "Today, we recognize the power of all young people — the power to challenge the status quo, to confront injustice, and to inspire meaningful change,” he said.

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