Prince Harry, Oprah team up for mental health docu-series

Prince Harry, Oprah team up for mental health docu-series

Britain's Prince Harry has announced he is collaborating with US celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey on a documentary series for Apple about mental health.

Prince Harry
CHRISTOPHER FURLONG / POOL / AFP

The Duke of Sussex, who is set to become a father this month, will jointly create and executive produce the upcoming mental health-themed show with Winfrey, according to Kensington Palace, his official residence.

"I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series which we have been developing together for several months," the prince said in a statement.

"Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive -- sharing... the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better."

Tech titan Apple, which will air the multi-part documentary, recently launched into the television streaming market to take on Netflix and Amazon.

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We are excited to announce that The Duke of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey are partners, co-creators and executive producers on their forthcoming mental health series launching on Apple in 2020. The pair have been developing the series for several months and are looking forward to sharing such an important project on this global platform. The dynamic multi-part documentary series will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive. This commitment builds on The Duke of Sussex’s long-standing work on issues and initiatives regarding mental health, where he has candidly shared personal experience and advocated for those who silently suffer, empowering them to get the help and support they deserve. His Royal Highness has spent many years working with communities throughout the UK and young people across the Commonwealth to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and broaden the conversation of mental wellness to accelerate change for a more compassionate, connected and positive society. Quote from HRH: “I truly believe that good mental health - mental fitness - is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self. It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive - sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better. I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series.”

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The partnership with Winfrey, who has decades of experience as one of America's foremost talk show hosts, will focus on both "mental illness and mental wellness", Kensington Palace said.

Its creators hope to inspire viewers "to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to thrive," it added. 

No details were released on a timeframe for the new documentary series.

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Harry - whose American wife Meghan is weeks away from giving birth to the couple's first child -- has advocated on mental health issues alongside his other charity work in recent years.

He has previously revealed that for a long time he struggled to cope with the death of his mother Diana in a Paris car crash in 1997, and sought professional help a few years ago.

After a decade in the British army - serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan - the duke launched in 2017 the "Heads Together" mental health initiative with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate.

It was spearheaded by their philanthropic and charitable arm The Royal Foundation.

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