Derbyshire campaigners urge people to talk about mental health after Piers Morgan's Meghan comments
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On ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain on Monday, the controversial broadcaster said he ‘didn’t believe a word’ Meghan Markle had told interviewer Oprah Winfrey about life in the Royal Family.
She spoke about having suicidal thoughts and said she got no support.
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Tricia Black’s father Terence Neal, 77, sadly took his own life at Dronfield railway station on in 2018.
Tricia, of Dronfield, has since campaigned to raise awareness about mental health.
Following Mr Morgan’s comments, she said: “We’re all being told how important it is to talk about our own mental health.
“Talking about mental health can break down stereotypes, aid recovery and take the stigma out of something that affects us all.
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Hide Ad“Expressing our feelings is not self indulgent – it’s an important part of our keeping us all healthy.”
Jason Cotton, a founder of Men-Talk – a Chesterfield-based group which aims to get males talking and remove the stigma associated with mental health – added: “Be kind, be mighty, be you.”
He said he chooses ‘not to follow the narrative of mainstream TV’ to aid his own well-being.
“Detach yourself from all things negative – it's amazing to see what happens,” Jason added.
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Hide AdA spokesperson for mental health charity Mind said: “We were disappointed and concerned to see Mr Morgan’s comments on not believing Meghan’s experiences about suicidal thoughts.
“It’s vital that when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health that they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.”
More than 41,000 people have complained to Ofcom about Mr Morgan, who left Good Morning Britain on Tuesday
Meghan herself has complained to the UK broadcast regulator, a spokesperson confirmed.
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Hide AdMr Morgan has stood by his comments, saying: “Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on.”
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