Piers Morgan Condemned By Mental Health Charity Over Meghan Markle Comments

The leading mental health charity Mind has said it is in the middle of talks with ITV, following comments from Piers Morgan about Meghan Markle during Monday’s edition of Good Morning Britain.

Following the Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Piers shared his thoughts on Monday’s GMB, which included casting doubt on her claims that she experienced suicidal thoughts after joining the Royal Family.

After saying there was a time she “didn’t want to be alive anymore”, Meghan also told Oprah: “I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. And I said that I’d never felt this way before. I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, because it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”

The following morning, Piers said: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says.”

While Susanna Reid shared her shock at Piers’ lack of sympathy, he continued: “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report, and the fact that she’s fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible.”

Mind has now issued a statement condemning Piers’ behaviour, and revealing that they’ve been in contact with ITV about the matter.

They said: “We were disappointed and concerned to see Piers Morgan’s comments on not believing Meghan’s experiences about suicidal thoughts today.

“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. We are in conversations with ITV about this at the moment.”

The charity also shared links anyone experiencing mental health struggles can use for help.

Since 2019, ITV has had an ongoing mental health campaign in collaboration with Mind called Britain Get Talking, aiming to destigmatise mental health issues.

An ITV rep told HuffPost UK regarding Mind’s statement: ”ITV is committed to mental health and wellbeing and working with our charity partners on Britain Get Talking, which is about encouraging people to talk about their mental health.

“It is very important that if anyone has suicidal thoughts that they should always speak out and be listened to.”

During Tuesday’s show, Piers said: “On mental illness and suicide these are clearly extremely serious things and should be taken extremely seriously and if someone is feeling that way they should get the treatment and the help they need every time. Every time. And if they belong to an institution like the Royal Family and they go and seek that help they should absolutely be given it.

“It’s not for me to question if she felt suicidal, I am not in her mind and that is for her to say. My real concern was a disbelief frankly and I’m prepared to be proven wrong on this and if I’m wrong it is a scandal, that she went to a senior member of the Royal household and told them she was suicidal and was told she could not have any help because it would be a bad look for the family.

“If that is true, that person should be fired and the Royal Family have serious questions that need to be answered.”

Tuesday’s GMB saw Piers storming off the show after being called out by fellow presenter Alex Beresford about his on-screen treatment of Meghan.

Alex said: “I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle. You’ve made it so clear, a number of times on this programme. A number of times.

“And I understand that you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle and she cut you off, she’s entitled to cut you off, if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has. But yet you continue to trash her.”

At that moment, Piers told the presenter and weather forecaster he was “done with this”, and walked off the set of the ITV show.

Criticising Piers’ “diabolical behaviour”, Alex continued: “I’m sorry but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit there and listen. Six-thirty to seven o’clock yesterday was incredibly hard to watch. Incredibly hard to watch.

“This… he has the ability to come in here and talk from a position where he doesn’t fully understand.”

Piers eventually returned to the panel after an ad break.

Good Morning Britain airs every weekday from 6am on ITV.

Useful websites and helplines

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.

Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).

CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.

The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.