Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Friday attended an inaugural mental health summit at a school run by a local non-profit linked to their foundation in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, as they kicked off their first trip to Africa’s most populous nation. The couple were invited to Nigeria by the chief of defence staff. At Lightway Academy, run by a non-profit supported by their Archewell Foundation, Harry and Meghan were received with wild cheers and serenaded by dancers and singers. And it was time to talk about mental health, which carries deep-rooted stigma in conservative Nigeria. Read: Africa stares at severe child, adolescent mental health services gap “Too many people don’t want to talk about it ’cause it’s invisible. It’s something in our mind that we can’t see. It’s not like a broken leg, it’s not like a broken wrist,” said Harry. Related King Charles III King Charles diagnosed with cancer harry Prince Harry to testify against British tabloid publisher Advertisement “Every single person in this room, the youngest, the oldest, every single person has mental health. So therefore, you have to look after yourself to be able to look after other people,” Harry said, adding that “there is no shame” to acknowledge it. Meghan said they were honoured to make their first visit to Nigeria and urged the students not to suffer in silence. “Just make sure that you are taking care of yourselves and that begins with your mental health by really talking about whatever’s coming up for you,” she said. The couple also visited a kindergarten class, and when introduced to a five-year-old student, the oldest in the class, Meghan said: “Our son Archie’s five. He turned five last week.”

On Friday, Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, attended their first event in Nigeria during a visit to the country’s capital, Abuja. The couple participated in a mental health summit at Lightway Academy, a school operated by a local non-profit organization connected to their Archewell Foundation.

Mental Health Focus

The summit addressed mental health issues, a topic that often carries a significant stigma in Nigeria’s conservative society. Prince Harry spoke about the importance of mental health, emphasizing that although mental health issues are not visible, they are just as important as physical health problems like a broken leg or wrist.

“Too many people don’t want to talk about it because it’s invisible. But every person, young or old, has mental health, and it’s crucial to take care of yourself so you can help others,” said Prince Harry. He also stressed that there should be no shame in acknowledging mental health struggles.

Meghan’s Message

Meghan Markle encouraged the students not to suffer in silence and to prioritize their mental well-being by speaking openly about their challenges. She expressed how honored she and Harry felt to visit Nigeria for the first time, urging the students to talk about what is troubling them, adding, “Taking care of yourselves begins with your mental health.”

Warm Reception

The royal couple was warmly welcomed at the event, with enthusiastic cheers from students, along with performances by dancers and singers. During the visit, they also toured a kindergarten class, where Meghan made a personal connection with a five-year-old student, noting that her own son, Archie, had just turned five the previous week.

Significance of the Visit

This visit marks an important milestone for Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation, as it seeks to bring attention to mental health issues in Nigeria, a country where mental health services and conversations are still limited. Their presence and engagement aim to encourage more open discussions on mental well-being, especially among the youth.