The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked World Mental Health Day with events in New York City today.
The day began with a visit to The Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn which offers an alternative to the traditional college route.
Students are offered a rigorous tuition-free, one-year programme. Teachers Maya Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio and Reuben Ogbanna founded the school in 2019 to support young black and brown students in achieving their potential in the tech sector. On the school's inception, Maya told CNBC: "The story that’s not often told is what happens when a young person gets to college, and what we learned was that college wasn’t serving our students", Reuben added: "High-quality instruction and emphasis on community identity development and leadership development is what makes Marcy special."
Students are supported each and every step of the way. Through mentorship, coaching and peer support, it's a year which offers the opportunity to realise potential. The school promises students: "You’ll graduate with not only the skills to write beautiful, scalable code, but the ability to contribute to and lead teams. You’ll know how to remain confident and composed under stress, and—most of all—you’ll bring your whole self to work, knowing that your background and identity add value to every room you enter."
People magazine covered the story and did a wonderful job speaking to students and teachers. It was confirmed today Harry and Meghan have invested in supporting the school:
'Bhattacharjee-Marcantonio told PEOPLE of the couple's visit: "Reuben and I just feel so touched and so grateful. The Marcy Lab has been a dream of ours and it's something we work so hard for every day and to have their support — not just financially — and the investment that they made in Marcy, but for them also to take the time to come to the campus, is such a generous act of just belief in us, belief in our students and the work that we do."
Below, Harry and Meghan participating in a roundtable discussion with alumni.
More from People's story:
'Speaking to a small group of students, Harry talked about the importance of relying on one another.
“Everyone’s got their own story, a reason for being here, your life is still going to be filled with complications and challenges. And if one of you starts to go quiet, doesn’t show up, you need to find out why," he said. “And remember to have fun! It has to be fun."
"What excites you the most and scares you the most about the online world?” Harry then asked the students as both he and Meghan listened.
Meghan then said: “I think my husband was asking about online spaces because it’s a place where so much community can be built, but there’s also so much vulnerability. There's a lot of saturation, and as parents, we can be hopeful knowing that your bright minds [are at work], knowing that they will be seen, valued and growing in the right direction. And that’s why it’s so important what you’re doing at The Marcy Lab.”'
During the conversation, Meghan asked about the friendships created at Marcy: "All of you become the best advocates of Marcy,” she said. “Your stories and experiences give people an appetite to be here." People noted Meghan told one teacher, "It takes a village and you’re raising an incredible village here."
A current student of the programme, Ashley Tucker, said, "I asked Meghan why she decided to invest in us and she was saying she really believed in our mission and the environment that we created. Both Harry and Meghan came into our classroom and were really engaging with us and interested in what we had to say about the program. I hope people take away that our stories are important and valuable. I want people to get that."
Meanwhile, school co-founder, Reuben, told People Harry and Meghan "were so cool and down to earth". "I just hope they know how much the visit meant to us."
Did you recognise Meghan's Varsity jacket? You might recall it was a gift from students at Robert Clack school in Dagenham. The visit was one of Meghan's last official engagements in the United Kingdom and was planned to mark International Women's Day. It struck a chord with Meghan who penned a letter to students the following year, thanking them for "fond memories". She also said she "thinks of you all frequently". I imagine the students will be delighted to see their school jacket made its way with Meghan to the US and was worn proudly today.
Meghan also wore her black skinny Frame jeans from the Invictus Games and her Jennifer Chamandi Lorenzo 105 pumps which she's had since 2020.
A piece of fashion trivia: Meghan wore the same Lorenzo pumps in two tone for her 2020 visit to Robert Clack school in Dagenham.
From there, it was time for Archewell's first in-person event: the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age.
The forum, hosted by Carson Daly, is part of a series of events throughout the day in partnership with Project Healthy Minds.
A glimpse behind-the-scenes from Carly Ledbetter.
Meanwhile, 👋🏼 from the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit, which is part of @ProjHealthyMind’s World Mental Health Day Festival.
— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) October 10, 2023
In just a bit, Prince Harry & Duchess Meghan are set to speak on a panel with the U.S. @Surgeon_General, moderated by Carson Daly. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/RKB3zTy9ok
The Archewell discussion was planned to give voice to families who are committed to building a safer online space for their children. People revealed: "The families have been engaged with The Archewell Foundation for the past year, bolstering community and driving towards solutions. Together, they are united in their mission to share personal experiences, data, and research to ensure the same does not happen to other families."
More from Carly Ledbetter, reporting live from the event: "Tony and Brandy Roberts and Dave and Jennie DeSerio spoke at the summit about losing their children to suicide in connection with social media. They described the apps their children used, how algorithms led their kids to dark corners of the internet, and how the tech companies and their products were smarter even than internet-savvy parents".
The Duchess said she "found it impossible not to be in tears" listening to the "devastating" stories from families.
Meghan said: "They say being a parent, the days are long but the years are short, so it worries me, but I'm also given a lot of hope and energy by the progress we've made in the past year being able to have these incredible parents, these survivors of these experiences, share their stories and the more information gathering we're able to do, the more we can move the needle a little bit".
Harry began by taking the opportunity to thank parents who shared deeply personal and painful stories, I can’t start without thanking all the parents, the mothers and fathers for being with us physically today, but also being on this journey with us for the last year, creating this community of shared experience. We know it’s not easy for you guys to be here so thank you very much.
Prince Harry takes the stage and thanks the parents present for sharing their stories, and talks about those who have suffered the “greatest loss” pic.twitter.com/EAozEHRKr5
— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) October 10, 2023
Meghan spoke about the burden not being placed solely on parents' shoulders: "Many of the platforms that we've had conversations quietly behind the scenes with these tech executives and they do feel that they have created and they have, many of them, created parental controls and certain guardrails, much of which many parents, if you aren't tech savvy, you can't navigate that comfortably, it feels pretty overwhelming."
❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/smvRy1xbZp
— best of harry and meg (@bestofharryandm) October 10, 2023
The Duchess told guests: "Being a mom is the most important thing in my life…outside of being a wife to this one."
The Duchess of Sussex talks about speaking with some of the parents, who Archewell began meeting with a year ago, and the experience of hearing their stories. pic.twitter.com/0HleJO2o5T
— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) October 10, 2023
Carson Daly offered a light-hearted moment when he called Meghan a "kick-ass woman".
A moment of levity towards the end of the panel, when Daly calls Meghan a “kick ass woman.”
— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) October 10, 2023
He quickly followed up with an “Excuse my French!” as the duchess laughed. pic.twitter.com/hanF2SPFgQ
They were joined by Dr Vivek Murthy, the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.
More on Murthy's prestigious career:
'As the Nation's Doctor, the Surgeon General's mission is to help lay the foundation for a healthier country, relying on the best scientific information available to provide clear, consistent, and equitable guidance and resources for the public. And as the Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy commands a uniformed service of over 6,000 dedicated public health officers, serving the most underserved and vulnerable populations domestically and abroad.
While serving as 21st Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy is focused on drawing attention to and working across government to address a number of critical public health issues, including the growing proliferation of health misinformation, the ongoing youth mental health crisis, well-being and burnout in the health worker community, and social isolation and loneliness. Additionally, he serves as a key advisor to President Biden's COVID-19 pandemic response operation.
During his previous tenure as 19th Surgeon General, under President Obama, Dr. Murthy created initiatives to tackle our country's most pressing public health challenges. The first Surgeon General of Indian descent and the youngest active duty flag officer in federal uniformed service, he helped lead the national response to a range of health challenges, including the Ebola and Zika viruses, the opioid crisis, and the growing threat of stress and loneliness to Americans' physical and mental wellbeing. Dr. Murthy also continued the office's legacy on preventing tobacco-related disease, releasing a historic Surgeon General's report on e-cigarettes and youth. And in 2016, he issued the first Surgeons General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, in which he challenged the nation to expand access to prevention and treatment, and to recognize addiction as a chronic illness, not a character flaw.'
"What we're going to need is to work together and partner with other parents," Murthy said of keeping kids off social media at a young age. "Because it's a lot easier to do if you are a part of a group of parents who say we're going to do this for our kids. Whenever one of our kids say, 'I'm the only one not on it,' we can say, No, Harry and Meghan's kids aren't on it either!'"
Meghan and Harry received a standing ovation when their panel came to a close. They shared hugs with Carson Daly and the Surgeon General before quietly exiting the stage'.
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, 'Mental health is a universal human right', aims to improve knowledge, create conversations and drive actions to "protect everyone's mental health as a universal right".
Harry & Meghan at the event 🤍#WorldMentalHealthDay2023 🖤 pic.twitter.com/JNOPbsiQe8
— Maria Grant (The Blue Print) (@mariagrant68) October 10, 2023
Click here to watch the full conversation.
Meghan was effortlessly chic in a white ensemble by Altuzarra (with thanks to Pearl).
The Duchess wore the brand's Wilding Off-the-Shoulder Wool Blazer. The sold-out piece was described as "featuring layered design, off-shoulder, front button fastening and two side flap pockets".
Meghan teamed the look with her Aquzzura Purist pumps in nude.
Meghan wore her bespoke Sarah Hendler 'Spear' earrings. The custom made pair were created several years ago to include Harry and Archie's birthstones.
Meghan wore the striking Logan Hollowell Queen Emerald Cut Cuban Choker.
A very moving event and a fitting choice for World Mental Health Day.
Initial thoughts: she looks so adorable in the school jacket. I did not know about such a school, and it's fascinating. It seems Archewell has been a financial supporter, which is great. And then her later outfit -- she does like that style of off the shoulder. To see her sitting wrapped in the suit in a like-colored chair with just her dark eyes and hair showing is artistic. She's excellent at making an impression, as she should be.
ReplyDeleteI just love this all and will wait to read the whole blog and savor it
What an amazing progress to see their foundation come so far to host an in person event. They've obviously put lot of behind the scenes effort and whilst being parents to their young children. Humaira.
ReplyDeleteI love these events and the fact that they continue to work to support mental health, which is so important to both of them. They are doing good and important work. Fashionwise, I loved the jeans and varsity jacket look. I do not love the cream off the shoulder suit. It seems a little casual for the event--an event where people are discussing indescribable losses. I would have liked to have seen a more traditional suit that recognized the need to make the focus the speakers.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Meghan's outfits. Loved the jeans and jacket. My thought was that the white suit was too formal - or rather cocktail outfit, but same difference! She looked fabulous, but not quite appropriate for the event IMHO.
DeleteI thought the same when I saw Meghan's white outfit. She seems to be confused about 'dressing for the occasion' and often dresses too formally. A well tailored business type suit would have been more appropriate for the meeting with parents.
DeleteIt looks like the outfit was altered a bit to make the shoulder "panel" a little shorter, which was wise. The view on the model looks like it was made to be longer, and I really don't like the binding effect. I LOVE the earrings and necklace. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Harry can continue speaking out for mental health, and addressing social media is vital. I can't imagine how awful my teen years would have been with social media.
Thank you for the update.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte for a great post. Starting off in Brooklyn Meghan looks adorable in that baseball jacket. Also that post secondary school and the Marcy Lab is amazing to have a tuition free university education. It is great Prince Harry and Meghan supplied a donation and such support for such a worthy endeavour! Also at the event with Carsen Daly Meghan looks absolutely exquisite and yes heartbreaking moments with those parents but so glad they are bringing such awareness on world mental health day
ReplyDeleteHope this topic develop into a more larger discussion across various internationally communities...... The negative effect of social media is of major concern.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. -op
DeleteI heard of a story about a boy that committed suicide..... All in the name of blackmail from some miserable souls ,whom the boy had send his nude pictures to for one reason or the other. These blackmailers capitalise on the boy fear of posting those pictures by demanding for cash ,which the boy send initially and the whole thing turn into Oliver twist ( always wanting for more). The dark side of social media is turning once good part of our society into tragedy. Hopefully one or two lessons will be gain from this archwell mental health session.
ReplyDeleteI think it is high time school, parents, guardian, government agencies and all others renew efforts in bring more awareness about the dangers attach to social media when not put into proper use.
ReplyDeleteAnother means of cutting off the negative effect of social media is to be mindful of our social media presence and interaction. The same way we are mindful of the type of food we eat (healthy diet)
ReplyDeleteOne thing I admire about Meghan and Harry is their ability to tackle one problem at a time , which brings about measurable results.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned, social media and much else about the Internet have had extremely deleterious effects on global culture, so anything that can be done to rein them in is a positive in my book. You risk looking like an advocate of censorship when you express opinions like that, and I'm all for freedom of expression, but young people don't know when enough is enough, unlike those of us who grew up without social media and the Internet and who find it easier to limit our consumption. The online life is real life for them, and they are not old enough to recognize the harm it does, to their mental health and much else.
ReplyDeleteThat said, this is a very striking white pantsuit, and the Duchess looks great in it, but I am not convinced that it was quite the thing to wear to an event of this kind, on this subject. I think I would have preferred to see her in something a bit more sober and not off-the-shoulder. I feel that a trouser suit like this should be worn to, say, a daytime awards event or something similar. I also dislike off-shoulder necklines of that particular type, since they tend to ride up each time you raise your arms. They can be a little uncomfortable.
On the other hand, I love Altuzarra. I watched an Altuzarra dress for months, hoping it would go down in price. When it didn't, I just said, "To hell with it," and bought it at full price. Since I almost never do that, people can guess just how much I admire the label.
Those earrings are to die for. And I am also an admirer of Jennifer Chamandi shoes. I own that two-tone pair.
I love this combination of style and substantive initiatives that's the hallmark of the Sussexes work. I always learn something new about an organization or about good work that's being done in the world.
ReplyDeleteExcellent event and excellent topics. It's really great to see Harry and Meghan shining a light on these pressing issues, and I'm very glad to see their support of the veteran community in the previous post as well.
ReplyDeleteOn the clothes: The Letterman jacket is a wonderfully sweet touch, and she looked great. I really like the off the shoulder blazer, but it looked kind of strange when she was standing up. Very fashion forward and very classy. Also love the repeat of the Ralph Lauren striped shirt. So glad to see these two out and about and doing great things! -op
I really like this image: all these beautiful people, including the Sussex, are a Village of Invictus. Strength and courage to all.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of off-the shoulder styles. But I agree that it might not have been the right setting for it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems I am the only one that dislikes the earrings. I find them too small and the swapped colours aren’t my thing. I would also strongly disagree that just slapping „birthstones“ on something make it thoughtful and special. If the pieces aren’t designed well no „special“ stones will change that. And birthstones have become such a hot topic- depending on where you live, what faith you have, or just what website you look at, you get very different birthstones (or non at all). It goes as far as you can basically use any stone, somewhere it will be referenced as the right birthstone. Incredible thoughtful is not exactly the attribute I would use. More like superficially thoughtful. Anyhow, if M loved those earrings that’s great. But they are still too small. Same for the necklace. It doesn’t go well with this neckline at all. I don’t get the pairing of a chocker style necklace and off-the shoulder.
C.
Harry and Meghan achieved so much in a small amount of time while starting a family and dealing privately and publicly with a lot of trauma.
ReplyDeleteWhen they lean in for mental health it is so much more convincing than people just lending their face or role to it.
It is palpable how important it is for them and how much of their everyday life is dedicated to it.
Meghan just wows in this Ensemble.
And why not dare a little bit for the good cause? There are enough people hiding in uniforms. Meghan loves this neckline and wears it well here.
They connect so easily with students and experts and make significant differences to the lives of people. Engaging in this discussion about kids and social media is not easy for people who depend on social media and positiv PR. The Sussexes do well to do it - they are scapegoated and illportrayed anyway. So they can take risks and adress this wholeheartedly. I wish them and their foundation the energy and the support to do this succesfully in the comming years.
Kristina
It’s fascinating that these two managed to cover so much in small and big ways. They donate funds, goods, and services to various programs and non profits. They are able to sustain topics such as media awareness/abuse and digital privacy protection in the forefront and connect globally with many groups doing similar work. What they do makes sense and doesn’t feel all over the place. I think one of the bonuses living outside the BRF is being able to pick key areas to work in and staying in that lane. There’s more deeper dive and thus bigger impact.
ReplyDelete—enjoying larch madness in the PNW
I saw a photo of Harry and Meghan meeting our "Second Gentleman" and love it. It was a great view of Meghan in her outfit, too.
ReplyDelete