Kate Middleton's Brother Reveals Intimate Details of a Family Therapy Session With His Sisters
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James Middleton is getting candid about his mental health battle and the comforting role his older sister, Kate Middleton, played in helping him through hard times.
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James opens up about a battle with depression and suicidal ideation in his new memoir which celebrates the life of his spaniel, Ella, who died in 2023 after helping him through the most challenging times in his life. However, in Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life (which releases on September 24) it is clear that Ella isn’t the only being James leaned on during his mental health battle.
In one chapter, which was partially excerpted by Newsweek, James opened up about the first time he revealed his mental health struggle to older sisters Kate and Pippa.
James revealed that he invited Kate and Pippa to a January 2018 therapy session after spending much of 2017 planning to end his own life.
“Catherine and Pippa come on board, and they understand. This is the first time they have become aware of the extent of my struggles and the fact that they are here with me, wanting so much to help me, makes me cry,” James wrote.
“I did not tell even Dr Pereira how closely my thoughts had wandered towards suicide. It is he who, with my -consent, now talks to my sisters, simply because I find it so hard to articulate what has been going on in my mind,” he said.
“They listen and learn,” he wrote of his sisters. “Catherine has already done a lot of work through her mental health -initiative Heads Together, and she asks Dr Pereira some pertinent questions. She understands so much. I’m overwhelmed.”
In an interview with People ahead of the book’s release, James, who has been diagnosed with clinical depression, ADD and dyslexia, says his battle has been transformative for his family’s perspective on mental health.
“We speak more openly now about our own mental health as a family. That is a great thing,” he said.
“The embrace of a hug from a family member means more than words. We’re a close family, but it’s brought us together. I know they’re proud of me for telling my story.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “988” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
Before you go, click here to see our favorite Kate Middleton mommy moments!
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