Kate Middleton and Prince William Meet With Suicide-Attempt Survivor to Raise Awareness for Mental Health

Royals are on a campaign to shine a light on treatment

By Francesca Bacardi Mar 10, 2016 3:56 PMTags
Kate Middleton, Prince WilliamToby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The royals are on a mission to raise awareness of mental health care.

Kate Middleton and Prince William met with Jonny Benjamin, a man who almost attempted suicide in 2004 before being stopped by a Good Samaritan, in 2008. Benjamin was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder when he was 20 years old and felt his life had hit "rock bottom." He was planning to jump off the Waterloo Bridge before Neil Laybourn stopped him.

Benjamin launched the now-famous #FindMike campaign in 2014 to find the man who ultimately saved his life. The search went viral and ended with a meet-and-greet between Benjamin and Laybourn. Then mere acquaintances, the two have become good friends. As part of the royals' plan to shine a light on mental health care, Prince William and his wife met both men today and heard their story.

Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

"It was a real snap decision, all the time I was walking up to Jonny I was thinking, 'Why was he there, should I talk to him or not?'" he told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

He also explained how he came to find himself on the bridge that day. He was a personal trainer walking to work when he stumbled upon a man only wearing a T-shirt and pants on a freezing winter day.

"I just felt he needed help," Laybourn added.

Kate, who stunned in an emerald green over coat, and Will, looking dapper in khakis, jacket and tie, also screened the documentary based on Benjamin's #FindMike search for 20 young people. Benjamin and Laybourn led the discussion. Following the film, the Duke and Duchess met with a group of people affected by suicide to discuss their experiences and the support they have received.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.