Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images; Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images
James Middletonis thanking his older sistersKate MiddletonandPippa Middletonfor supporting him during the darkest days of his depression.
The entrepreneur, 35, opened up in a heartfelt essay forThe Sunday Timesfollowing the death of his dogElla, who died earlier this month at age 15 of kidney failure. James has been open about his struggles with depression and has previously credited the cocker spaniel withsaving his life.
“Everybody knew how much she meant to me and there was a day they feared the most: the day Ella was no longer in my life. She meant something to all of them too,” James wrote in a tribute, published over the weekend.
“My sisters came to some of my therapy sessions. They’ve always been there during difficult times and they were at my side during the hardest of times as well,” he added of Kate and Pippa.
James Middleton/Instagram
James also revealed that “all the family” attended Ella’s emotional burial, sharing that Pippa and her husbandJames Matthews— like Princess Kate andPrince William— have a dog descended from Ella.
James Middleton.Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty
Elsewhere in the essay, James reflected on how much Ella meant to him.
A cause close to heart, mental health has long been a key priority of Princess Kate’s royal work. Together with her husband Prince William and brother-in-lawPrince Harry, she launched the Heads Together initiative in 2016 to smash stigmas surrounding conversations and help for mental health.
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Jon Super-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Williamhas highlighted the importance of mental health in every area of life, frommedical workerstosoccer players, also makingcombating male suicidea crucial part of his royal work. Meanwhile, Princess Kate has focused on mental health initiatives formothersand children.
Mental wellness was thetopic of discussionduring a stop of the Prince and Princess of Wales' first joint engagement this year. On Jan. 13, the royal couple visited theOpen Door Charityin Birkenhead tolearn how the organizationuses culture and creativity to inspire and engage people. They met with four teenagers using the charity’s Oomoo program, which offers activities such as dance classes, film nights and other activities.
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“Talking therapies don’t work for some people, they’re not for everybody,” Princess Kate said. “It’s so important to have a range of therapies.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
