James Middleton praises Catherine and William for their compassion and
mental health advocacy
James Middleton has revealed the depth of his sister Catherine’s support
during one of the most difficult periods of his life, sharing that the
Princess of Wales even joined him in therapy sessions as he battled clinical
depression.
In a candid interview with The Times, James recalled his mental health crisis
in 2017, when he was diagnosed with depression, ADHD, and experienced suicidal
thoughts. Both Catherine and their sister Pippa Middleton accompanied him to
therapy, helping him feel less alone as he navigated his darkest moments.
“Having them there meant that I knew I was surrounded by people that truly
understood what I was going through,” James said.
His treatment included cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants, as
well as medication to stabilise his heart rhythm and improve sleep. Initially
resistant to seeking help due to the stigma around mental illness, James said
his family’s involvement changed his outlook entirely.
Now off medication, James credits his recovery in part to Catherine and Prince
William’s Heads Together initiative, which they launched alongside Prince
Harry in 2016 to encourage open conversations around mental health.
His heartfelt revelation comes as Catherine introduces her new Mother Nature
project for Mental Health Awareness Week. In the series, the Princess
highlights the connection between nature and healing, stating, “It is a
tribute to the lessons we can learn from nature, helping us to foster our own
growth, strengthen our bonds with the world around us and each other.”
James also briefly spoke about Catherine’s ongoing cancer journey, describing
it as “a challenging time” that the family is facing together. “As a family,
you learn to see and process and understand things,” he said, underscoring
their united front through adversity.
