Harry and Winfrey talk about their histories of trauma and anxiety
May 21, 2021, 11:20 am

Harry

Jill Serjeant

Britain's Prince Harry launches his new career as a Hollywood producer on Friday with the broadcast of a documentary series with Oprah Winfrey that aims to take away the stigma around mental health. Winfrey

Harry and Winfrey speak in detail about their own histories of trauma and anxiety in "The Me You Can't See," arriving on Apple TV+ (AAPL.O) on Friday.

Others taking part include actress Glenn Close, Lady Gaga, who recalls being raped during her early years in the music industry, as well as boxer Virginia Fuchs, Syrian refugee kids and people with issues ranging from schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to depression and addiction.

"It wouldn't have been fair of us to ask people to put themselves out there, to be vulnerable, to share their story, if we weren't willing to do the same," Harry said in an interview with Reuters ahead of the series launch.

The five-part documentary marks Harry's first outing as a producer since he and his wife Meghan quit their duties as members of the British royal family and moved to California last year. They have since signed production deals with Netflix (NFLX.O) and Spotify. (SPOT.N)

Harry said that telling his own story "was a very easy decision because I do this to serve other people and to be able to share that story, knowing the positive impact that it will have. Even if it's just for one person, it's worth it."

Harry, formally known as the Duke of Sussex, is seen in the series undergoing a form of therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to treat unresolved anxiety stemming from his anger at the media and the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12.

He opens up in detail about how Diana's death in 1997 influenced his decision to quit the glare of life in the royal family.

Harry said he was told by his father, heir to the throne Prince Charles, that media attention and being part of the institution was something he had to get used to. Winfrey

"That doesn't make sense. Just because you suffered, it doesn't mean that your kids have to suffer. In fact, quite the opposite. If you suffered, do everything you can to make sure that any negative experiences you had, you can make it right for your kids," he says in the documentary.

"Isn't this all about breaking the cycle?," he says.

Winfrey, now one of the most influential Black women in the United States, spoke of a childhood that saw her whipped by her grandmother, made to sleep on an outdoor porch by her mother and raped by a cousin at age 9.

Telling her story was crucial to her ability to process it, she said. Winfrey

Winfrey said the documentary, which includes contributions from 14 health experts, was intended to be global in its reach.

"Whether you see yourself through these stories, or better understand a family member or a friend, or whatever your experience is... it will help you understand a variety of disorders and have more empathy and understanding," she told Reuters. Winfrey

Reuters, May 21, 2021,4:25 AM levant

Bad media practices still widespread, Prince Harry warns Think-tank said Britain should 'go into battle' London

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”