Prince Harry: Social media impact on mental health needs to be discussed
2:48 pm on 29 October 2018
Prince Harry has told a group of mental health advocates in Wellington that the impact of social media on mental health is a real topic that needs to be discussed.
Prince Harry and Meghan talk to some schoolchildren outside Maranui Cafe. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time this morning at the famous Wellington cafe, Maranui, chatting with youth mental health advocates about the importance of mental health education over a cup of tea.
Prince Harry asked Voices of Hope advocates about the role of social media and whether it plays a part in the number of young people experiencing mental health symptoms.
He said it was a real topic that needed to be discussed.
"You're all doing really excellent work," Meghan told the guests before starting a round of applause.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Maranui Café to speak with young people in the Mental Health Sector. AFP
More fans outside Maranui Cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Fans of all ages were present. More than 100 fans turned out. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Even dogs awaited Harry and Meghan's arrival. RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell
These cute little fans were ready and waiting for the royal's arrival. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The royal pair arriving at Maranui Cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Meghan talks to schoolchildren outside the cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Prince Harry meeting some schoolchildren outside Maranui Cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Meghan comforts a young boy who was waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal pair outside Maranui Cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Most of the kids appeared delighted to meet the royal couple. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Children from Houghton Valley School got to enjoy cakes that were left over from the royal pair's visit at Maranui cafe. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the military terminal to board an Air Force NH90 helicopter that took them to Tasman. AFP
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, visit Totaranui Campground in the Abel Tasman National Park. Pool/Stuff
They arrived by military helicopters where they were greeted by Kaumātua, and had lunch. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex greeting people at Totaranui Campground. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, visit Totaranui Campground in the Abel Tasman National Park. Pool/Stuff
The Duke of Sussex talked to those gathered at Totaranui Campground. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked with a DOC ranger along the golden sand beach. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked with a DOC ranger along the golden sand beach. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talked to those gathered at Totaranui Campground. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talked to those gathered at Totaranui Campground. Pool/Stuff
The day's events where cut short due to bad weather. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take a walk through the campgrounds. Pool/Stuff
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, arrive at the Courtenay Creative - a new training facility for the screen and creative industries.
RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Among the crowd, Desire-Rain Heta, 6, from Hawke's Bay says she hopes she can ask Harry and Meghan if they live in a castle - because she's pretty sure they do.
RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Prince Harry waves to the crowd awaiting the royals' arrival at Courtenay Creative. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, laughs after an umbrella turns inside out during bad weather at Courtenay Creative. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at Courtenay Creative to attend an event celebrating the citys creative arts scene in Wellington. AFP
Prince Harry and Meghan say goodbye to a boy at Courtenay Creative after attending an event celebrating the city's creative arts scene in Wellington. AFP
The royals meet people with costumes and SFX make up inside Courtenay Creative. Pool/ Getty / Hagen Hopkins
The royals meet people with costumes and SFX make up inside Courtenay Creative. Pool/ Getty / Hagen Hopkins
The royals meet people with costumes and SFX make up inside Courtenay Creative. Pool/ Getty / Hagen Hopkins
The royals meet people with costumes and SFX make up inside Courtenay Creative. Pool/ Getty / Hagen Hopkins
The royals took a photo with those gathered inside Courtenay Creative for their last engagement of the second day of the tour of New Zealand. Pool/ Getty / Hagen Hopkins
Among the youth advocates was Ezekiel Raui from community peer support group Key to Life. It's his second royal engagement this year after visiting Buckingham Palace.
Among the young people The Duke and Duchess met was Ezekiel Raui, one of The #QueensYoungLeaders, who after experiencing several youth suicides at his high school founded Te Kotahi, a peer-support programme led by young people. #RoyalVisitNZpic.twitter.com/OjrRhLX2lD
Before meeting the royal pair at Maranui Cafe, he told Morning Report the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed amazing commitment to mental health well-being.
He had a private audience with Harry and Meghan in June, after winning one of the Queen's Young Leaders Awards last year.
Mr Raui said the Duke and Duchess were authentic people who cared.
"What the Duke and Duchess do really well - and what I hope reflects in some way or form on organisations throughout New Zealand - is this willingness to talk about your vulnerabilities and understand that that's a strength for New Zealand," he said.
The Duchess of Sussex speaking to young fans outside Maranui Cafe. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A crowd eagerly waited outside the cafe to catch a glimpse of the couple, with cute kids and cute dogs among the royal fans.
Fans young and old are gathering at Maranui, including dogs. Photo: Jonathan Mitchell
The royal couple have now journeyed across Cook Strait to the Abel Tasman National Park, where they will go on a bush walk and be treated to a barbecue.
They will also meet some of the park's youth ambassadors and local school children at a barbecue lunch for a tree planting.
Department of Conservation ranger Andrew Lamason will be showing Harry and Meghan around the park's bays and says he will talk to them about conservation efforts in the area.
He said the cloudy weather won't dampen any spirits.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, talk to Jazz Thornton and Gen Mora, founders of Voices of Hope at Maranui Cafe in Wellington. Photo: Kensington Palace
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