Prince Harry reveals mental health battle

Prince Harry has revealed he has been “very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions” while dealing with his mother Diana’s death.

The royal was just 12-years-old when his mum was killed in an horrific car crash, and in a candid new interview, he says that it was only after his brother William encouraged him to seek counselling that he started to heal.

“I can safely say that losing my mum, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well,” Harry tells the UK Telegraph.

“I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and sort of lies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle.”

The royal, now 32, explains how he spent decades “sticking his head in the sand” and refusing to think about his mum.

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Spending time on a military deployment in Afghanistan and taking on other people’s grief and hardship, only compounded his own issues, and Harry says he later became increasingly anxious about attending royal engagements.

After going through two years of what he describes as "total chaos" in his twenties, the prince came to the point about three years ago where he felt "on the verge of punching someone", and it was only then that he sought professional help through counselling.

Taking up boxing has also helped relieve some of his aggression, and Harry stresses that William has always been a huge support.

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Now in “a good place”, the royal feels it is important to share his own battle with mental health issues to try and break down stigma.

He’s found that after opening up to his mates, they later came back to him to talk through their own problems because they knew he would be able to relate.

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

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