The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, shares an emotional essay talking on her recent miscarriage. She talks the “almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few.”
In an extremely candid op-ed for the New York Times, Meghan reveals how she and husband suffered unbearable grief following a miscarriage in July.
Meghan talks about how the year has brought many of us to our breaking points, with people around the world losing loved ones every day. What she asks us is that we come together at this time of year and ask a simple question. Are you okay?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLuLLAYyZtc&w=709&h=399]
Meghan has been subject to much media hatred in the past, and no matter how emotionally honest her essay was, she was still met with divided media response.
On the one hand, people are praising the Duchess for finding the strength to open up about this difficult experience.
We are all human. Shame on those who made those days for her & Harry unbearable with their racially fuelled gossip, hate & unkind words. It costs nothing to be kind and mind your own business. They can’t even share this. I am so sorry for their loss and all who know this pain. 🙏🏻
— Maythewaybewithyou (@Maythewaybewit1) November 25, 2020
you know for a fact that if Kate Middleton announced she had a miscarriage she would be flooded with love. Somehow Meghan Markle is still receiving hate… for having a miscarriage… wtf is wrong with some people https://t.co/txXLNDx6RY
— Lewis 🍿🎄 (@lewisjwr) November 25, 2020
Meghan sharing this deeply personal story is one that resonates with so many women. There’s a particular pain in losing a pregnancy while caring for other children. Reading this is cathartic.
— THEE Qondi 💛 🐝 🇺🇸🇿🇦🇿🇼 (@QondiNtini) November 25, 2020
However, the other side of the media has managed the make it’s way through all of the positive comments, questioning why the Duchess chose to share her news in such a public way.
https://twitter.com/84jom/status/1331524921730732032
I don’t understand…. someone who is so determined to have privacy writes an article like this. Whilst it’s good to highlight the loss of miscarriage (been there myself) you can’t have it both ways. Surely she must realise the scrutiny this will bring
— Gem (@GemmaCarter23) November 25, 2020
Regardless of the media reaction, Meghan has shared her story in the hopes that it will resonate with people in some way.
“We are adjusting to a new normal where faces are concealed by masks, but it’s forcing us to look into one another’s eyes — sometimes filled with warmth, other times with tears. For the first time, in a long time, as human beings, we are really seeing one another.
Are we OK?
We will be.”
In terms of Coronavirus, Black Lives Matter, and any of the tragedies we have experienced this year – it is important to ask the people around you if they are okay. Because sometimes, even if what they show on the outside tells us they’re okay, they may not be.
More on Mental Health:
- Disabled young people facing higher levels of anxiety amid the Covid-19 pandemic
- Beating winter blues – the effects of SAD on mental health
- Nature vs Lockdown blues
For information on how to protect your mental health, visit the NHS web page to access the range of mental health charities and organisations.
Words: Arwa Nadeem | Subbing: Bethan Adams