April is Mental Health Awareness Month, and with it, a welcome announcement: Oprah is teaming up with the Duke of Sussex (also known as Prince Harry) for a new documentary series focused on mental health, due to launch on Apple TV in 2020.
The announcement, made on the Sussex Royal Instagram on Wednesday, comes just a few weeks after the announcement of Oprah’s new partnership with the platform—and, of course, just a few weeks before the arrival of the duke and Meghan Markle’s first child. However, despite multiple busy schedules, Prince Harry—and, by some reports, Meghan—has found time to create, executive produce and contribute to a very worthwhile mission. As posted on the royals’ Instagram:
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.
His Royal Highness, who is already an advocate of UK-based mental health organization Heads Together, contributed the following personal statement:
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.
The show is, as of yet, untitled. While still in pre-production, royal correspondent Omid Scobie tweeted that the show will focus on “mental health, trauma, anxiety depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss,” issues personal to both Oprah and Prince Harry.