Prince Harry - something bugging me...

[StinkingCold]

Sorry, another Harry thread

Anyway, couple of things have been really bugging me recently...

1. He is getting paid 6 figures to be some advisor of a mental health charity

1. He has had 4 years therapy and is encouraging everyone else to get help like him

Now...here's my gripes!!...

1. What qualifications does he have to earn this salary as a mental health advisor?????? I've worked in mental health over 20 years, have an undergrad, MSc and Doctorate in a mh field, and have lectured on aspects of MH in my field. Despite my qualifications and experience, I would not consider myself qualified for a 6-figure salaried advisory post on mental health. So with zero qualifications or experience, how the hec does Harry think he is qualified to earn a six figure salary advising on the topic????? It just feels so naive and arrogant.

1. Good for you Harry, having 4 years therapy. Now in the real world, there is not 1 single NHS trust in the entire country likely to offer 4 years of therapy, or even 2, or even 1. Very difficult to even access 6 months or 3 months. Even for people who really really need it. I'm talking high risk, or whose functioning is severely impacted by their mental.health. The reality when you "seek help" for you mental health is a massive wait list followed by 6 sessions of guided self help over the phone. If you are really 'lucky' you might also be allowed to attend a short group programme of 6 sessions, maybe 12, probably on zoom. If you miss a couple.of appointments because you didn't get the letter, or phone was broken, or you were simply too unwell to get to your appointments, you'll probably lose the offer of the group or guided self help. If you have endured long and complex, multiple trauma, are self harming frequently, and drinking alot and overdosing - you might get offered 12 or 24 sessions of (probably group, maybe online only) DBT - but only if you really beg and show you are very very keen and won't miss any sessions. For most people, there is simply nothing. Maybe a referral to a charity for 4 sessions of counselling.

What planet are you on Harry. I wish wish wish you would realise how privileged you are to indulge yourself in 4 years of therapy, and that you could recognise your privilege. Wouldn't it be great if you could use you power and privilege to actually change the mental health system (in the UK) and advocate for more availability of therapeutic services, and maybe even donate large sums of cash to making therapy more available and accessible to the masses. I don't want to hear anymore about how therapy changed you, opened your eyes etc... Most of us simply.cant afford to go private, and the NHS is at breaking point and can't offer what is needed

[JudgeJ]

@Snog

Nice that Americans have embraced H&M as their very own Royal Family.

H&M have conquered America as HRH E2 could never do.

Hats off to Meghan and her Prince, they have certainly landed on their feet and I hope America enjoys them and enjoys bankrolling them too.

PLease assure mean that you're tongue is firnly in your cheek!

[Gilmorehill]

@Roussette

Yep. And nasty Meghan stole our prince, how dare she

She’s welcome to him.

[Roussette]

Because derxa they live a mixed race woman who has achieved a lot marrying Harry and making their own way when it didn't work for them.
And highlighting many issues and bringing a bit of British over to the US

[Cameleongirl]

@Roussette

My american friends are soooo into them

Admittedly, I only have half a dozen but they love them. And feel that our loss is their gain.

@Roussette. Perhaps they’re bored WFH?!🤣

I expect there are some Americans who are interested in H & M, we all have diverse interests and it’s a huge country. I just don’t personally know any ( or they’ve never mentioned it).

[Roussette]

How sad and mean you say that @Gilmorehill

[M4J4]

@Roussette

How sad and mean you say that *@Gilmorehill*

They’re just bitter 😂

[StoneofDestiny]

Wow to be honest I'd say his therapy has worked and he's been able to stand up too and break away from arguably the most rotten fucked up slimy family in the world that happens to be the most powerful!!

I agree.

That said, let's just get shot of the whole royal nonsense. We are funding millionaire lifestyles for those that already have millions in the bank. We are deluded fools if we think the royals give a stuff about any of us - yet we are supposed to give a stuff about them.

[UndertheCedartree]

@StinkingCold - I'm not sure exactly how things have changed due to Covid but I have had 10 sessions of IAPT on 2 separate occasions and also a year of DBT plus 6 months of CBT. One round of DBT is 6 months anyway so not sure why anyone would get 12 weeks?

[Roussette]

@Cameleongirl

Strange comment.

No. Not working from home has made it so, a diverse bunch they are, from different states

[StormzyinaTCup]

@Roussette

My american friends are soooo into them

Admittedly, I only have half a dozen but they love them. And feel that our loss is their gain.

I must say I do find that a bit odd, I can't say, as a grown up, that I'm soooo into anyone.
I would expect that if you are under 16 and its your current boyfriend/girlfriend/pop group/crush etc but not as a fully grown adult.

Is it an American thing?

[TILFA]

@Clutterbugsmum

I don't understand why people can not understand that Prince Harry need some therapy.

From the age he could understand he has had to put up with rumours that he's not Prince Charles son, then his parents giving 'tell all interviews' about their lives.

And then his mother dying and people in this country and the world being too selfish to allow a 12 year old to grieve in private and had to be on show for the world. Not to mention what he saw in the army.

And even now it doesn't matter what he does people only want to spin it that he doing something selfish.

I do understand why Harry needed counselling and probably still does need counselling. But, what gets to me him is saying "go and talk to someone", (meaning someone professional) when here in the UK, how the hell do you access that support? Unless you've got money you will have a very very long wait, even after a serious suicide attempt.

[AutumnInBustletown]

Yabu to suggest that private therapy is only for the rich.

I've had 4 years of therapy and my income is average. I see it as prioritising my mental health, in the same way that people who prioritise their physical health might pay for gym classes and a personal trainer (neither of which I could afford due to paying for therapy).

Yanbu to suggest that NHS mental health provision is woeful. But I also think there is some kind of link between the stigma of prioritising your mental health and private therapy in UK - why is it seen as such a self indulgent thing to do? I know lots of people who pay more than my monthly therapy cost on nails and botox each month and I can't get my head around that but I don't make the assumption that they are massively privileged or wealthy.

[Cameleongirl]

[quote Roussette]@Cameleongirl

Strange comment.

No. Not working from home has made it so, a diverse bunch they are, from different states[/quote]
@Roussette

It was a weak joke! Many people are still WFH here so we have far more time to follow the news online due to lack of commutes, etc.

H & M aren’t headline news here now, so people would need to make an effort to follow their doings, IYSWIM.

[Roussette]

@StormzyinaTCup

OK... that was just a turn of phrase from me. A joke, if you like.
Let me rephrase it for you.
They like them as a couple

@Cameleongirl
I understand, I'm full of weak jokes, me!

I imagine the friends I know in the States perhaps seek out news on them, i don't know.

[Washeduponthebeach]

@AutumnInBustletown

Yabu to suggest that private therapy is only for the rich.

I've had 4 years of therapy and my income is average. I see it as prioritising my mental health, in the same way that people who prioritise their physical health might pay for gym classes and a personal trainer (neither of which I could afford due to paying for therapy).

Yanbu to suggest that NHS mental health provision is woeful. But I also think there is some kind of link between the stigma of prioritising your mental health and private therapy in UK - why is it seen as such a self indulgent thing to do? I know lots of people who pay more than my monthly therapy cost on nails and botox each month and I can't get my head around that but I don't make the assumption that they are massively privileged or wealthy.

An extra £200 a month to see someone weekly at the entry level price which is usually about £50 a session, is something many people can’t afford, however much they prioritise their mental health. Especially for people on benefits.

[AutumnInBustletown]

I agree that weekly therapy would be very expensive for most people. I have only ever gone weekly when I have had a mental health crisis (and yes I know the NHS should have covered that but they didn't, so I really do understand how little help is available).

I think £50 a month for therapy is affordable for a significant proportion of people. Understandably not people on benefits (I've been on benefits, it was shit) but then they also can't afford a gym, a personal trainer, or even to eat healthily in many cases and nobody suggests that paying £50 a month for a gym is massively privileged do they?

[Washeduponthebeach]

£50 a week!

[Maireas]

Paying for a gym is a privilege. As is having your nails done and Botox.
People in need of support and counselling should not have to shell out like it's bonus time in a merchant bank.

[Plumtree391]

I agree, Maireas.

There are plenty of counselling places that do not charge the earth, the ethos being that all should receive it if they need it. The people who can afford, and are happy, to pay full whack subsidise those who cannot. The Westminster Pastoral Foundation is one (they are excellent), and there are many others.

[Washeduponthebeach]

@Plumtree391

I agree, Maireas.

There are plenty of counselling places that do not charge the earth, the ethos being that all should receive it if they need it. The people who can afford, and are happy, to pay full whack subsidise those who cannot. The Westminster Pastoral Foundation is one (they are excellent), and there are many others.

They tend to have a very limited number of places and charities offer six sessions usually. The low cost spaces that counsellors have are usually filled and even at £35 it’s a stretch for many people.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

Very often the places offering cheap or free counselling use students on placement, because qualified counsellors need to be paid for their work by someone and agencies don’t have funds unless clients pay.

The funding that is available tends to get directed at “well-being practitioners” or putting people through short courses as CBT practitioners which have their place, but aren’t qualified counsellors/therapists and won’t be able to deal with some of the significant issues which impact people’s daily lives.

Student counsellors are great for some things but more complex or embedded issues need someone with good experience, and that costs. Mental health provision is awful in this country and should be available to those that need it - I just don’t know how that happens without decent government funding aimed at offering longer term therapy with qualified, experienced therapists.

[Aorh]

I sit in a big internal fence in this one. I think it’s fantastic that someone high profile, who has always been encouraged to display some image of a perfect existence has spoken out about mental health issues, their own vulnerabilities and trying to make it ok to talk about things which have been historically swept under the carpet. But he clearly has no idea how privileged he is to have had the access to mental health support that he has (and in fairness, it would be impossible to be him and truly understand that) I can 100% see why he’s needed mental health support, but so do many others for whom it is very hard to come by.

So I think I settle on “he is doing some good by talking about all of this publicly” and try not to worry about the rest.

[Maireas]

@Plumtree391

I agree, Maireas.

There are plenty of counselling places that do not charge the earth, the ethos being that all should receive it if they need it. The people who can afford, and are happy, to pay full whack subsidise those who cannot. The Westminster Pastoral Foundation is one (they are excellent), and there are many others.

Thanks, Plumtree that's good to know

[IntermittentParps]

@ReadingTeaLeaves

His experience isn't why he's being paid. It's for access to his network, and for the profile he brings - both of which may (/will) bring in other high profile donors. It might sound unfair but it's not comparable to other 'professional' rather than celeb roles. Also worth considering that he understands that his care has been far far different from the average, that he is in a position of extreme privilege and that he's trying to get things changed so more people have better care.

I agree with this.
Whatever you think of him, his name/profile will benefit the charity and hopefully raise both money and awareness.

[Washeduponthebeach]

@Jellycatspyjamas

Very often the places offering cheap or free counselling use students on placement, because qualified counsellors need to be paid for their work by someone and agencies don’t have funds unless clients pay.

The funding that is available tends to get directed at “well-being practitioners” or putting people through short courses as CBT practitioners which have their place, but aren’t qualified counsellors/therapists and won’t be able to deal with some of the significant issues which impact people’s daily lives.

Student counsellors are great for some things but more complex or embedded issues need someone with good experience, and that costs. Mental health provision is awful in this country and should be available to those that need it - I just don’t know how that happens without decent government funding aimed at offering longer term therapy with qualified, experienced therapists.

Completely agree.