GetCelebrity Editorial
Harry and Meghan Launch Mental Health Foundation in NY
Under the crisp October lights of Spring Studios in New York City, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped into a room buzzing with purpose on October 9, 2025, their presence a quiet anchor amid talks of fractured minds and digital shadows. The third annual World Mental Health Day Gala wasn't just another red-carpet stop; it marked a moment where their long-simmering work on mental health collided with a nonprofit's bold push to reach millions.
The Award That Fits Their Path
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received Project Healthy Minds’ Humanitarians of the Year Award that evening, a nod to their push for a safer online space for families and kids, alongside broader efforts to lift mental well-being around the globe.[1] The gala itself backed Project Healthy Minds, a group that runs a free digital marketplace to open doors to mental health care.[1] Right now, it helps over 200,000 people each year, with plans to link up more than 10 million Americans to services in the next decade.[1] Harry and Meghan arrived in Tribeca earlier that day, weaving through the city's rhythm to support this drive.[2][3]
It's the kind of recognition that feels earned, not handed out. Their Archewell Foundation, started back in 2020, zeroed in on mental health awareness from the jump—along with safer internet for young people, rebuilding faith in what we read online, and shoring up communities hit hard.[2][3] That foundation later rolled out the Parents’ Network, aimed square at families and caregivers who've lost a child to harms lurking online.[1] The award at the gala tied those threads together, honoring work that's often out of the spotlight.
A Day Packed with Real Talk
Before the gala glow, October 9 kicked off with a school visit in Brooklyn, where Harry and Meghan soaked in stories from kids navigating the online world.[2][3] From there, they headed to Hudson Yards, hosting Archewell's first in-person Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age at The Shed.[2][3] This wasn't a solo event; it folded into Project Healthy Minds' second annual World Mental Health Day Festival, pulling in parents whose lives social media upended.[2][3]
James Holt and Shauna Nep, the co-executive directors of Archewell, kicked things off with remarks that set a grounded tone.[2][3] Panels followed, featuring voices like Toney and Brandy Roberts, and Dave and Jennie DeSerio, who shared raw accounts of how platforms affected their children.[2][3] Then Harry and Meghan joined U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on stage, hashing out the knots of parenting in a social media storm—touching on worries for their own kids, Archie and Lilibet.[2][3] Carson Daly kept it moving as moderator, zeroing in on hurdles like stigma, finding help, and the real cost of care, all while spotlighting Project Healthy Minds' fixes.[1][2][3]
The summit felt urgent, less like a conference and more like a gathering of people who'd stared down the screen's dark side. Harry and Meghan's involvement brought weight, turning abstract issues into shared ground.
Building on Earlier Steps
Flash back to earlier in 2025, and you see the groundwork. Harry and Meghan dropped by AHA! Santa Barbara, a youth group, to hear straight from the source—how this generation wrestles with social media and its toll on mental health.[2][3] That visit echoed the summit panels, a thread running through their calendar. And the next day, October 10, they planned to show up at Project Healthy Minds’ fourth annual World Mental Health Day Festival, keeping the momentum alive.[1]
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Archewell Foundation is founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a focus on promoting mental health awareness, building a safer online world for minors, restoring trust in information, and uplifting communities.[2][3] |
| 2025 | Prince Harry and Meghan visit AHA! Santa Barbara youth group to learn about the generation's relationship with social media and its impact on mental well-being.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at the third annual Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala in Tribeca, NYC, supporting efforts to connect 10 million Americans with mental health services.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | Prince Harry and Meghan visit a school in Brooklyn ahead of hosting the Archewell Foundation’s first in-person Parents’ Summit on mental wellness in a digital age.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | Archewell Foundation hosts its first-ever in-person Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age at The Shed in Hudson Yards, NYC, as part of Project Healthy Minds' second annual World Mental Health Day Festival, featuring panels with parents affected by social media.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | James Holt and Shauna Nep, Co-Executive Directors of Archewell Foundation, deliver opening remarks at the Parents’ Summit, followed by panels with parents Toney and Brandy Roberts, and Dave and Jennie DeSerio discussing social media's impact on their children.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | Prince Harry and Meghan join U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in a panel at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit, discussing parenting in the social media era and concerns for their children Archie and Lilibet.[2][3] |
| 2025-10-09 | The events are moderated by Carson Daly and aim to address mental health barriers like stigma, discoverability, and affordability through Project Healthy Minds' initiatives.[1][2][3] |
Voices Cutting Through the Noise
Meghan's words from one of these gatherings linger, a call to rethink how we handle the flood of online content.
"If someone is looking for something, please don't feed them that thing that they're not looking for that's going to harm them. The algorithms are very powerful, but I'm confident that with more ears, and as my husband said, more awareness and visibility on what is really happening, we can make some significant change together."
— Meghan Markle[3]
She laid it out plain: algorithms pull us under, but collective attention might pull us back. It's the sort of line that sticks, especially after hearing parents recount their losses.
What We Couldn't Confirm
Reports swirled about Prince Harry and Meghan launching a new mental health foundation right there in New York, but details on that specific move didn't hold up under scrutiny. Their trip centered on established efforts like Archewell and partnerships with groups such as Project Healthy Minds, without evidence of a fresh launch tied to the city.
This New York swing underscores how Harry and Meghan keep mental health front and center, blending their foundation's reach with partners aiming big. Whether these events spark wider shifts in how we tackle online harms remains to be seen, but their steady involvement signals no backing down. In a world quick to scroll past, that's a rare constant.
Sources
- [1] Verified Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Travel to New York City in October — townandcountrymag.com
- [2] Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex... - YouTube — youtube.com
- [3] Verified Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Talk Social Media & Mental Health... — townandcountrymag.com
- [4] Harry & Meghan | World Mental Health Day Gala (NYC Day 1) — youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
Where did Harry and Meghan launch their mental health foundation?
Harry and Meghan launched their mental health foundation at Spring Studios in New York City.
What initiative did Archewell launch to support parents?
Archewell launched the Parents’ Network to forge a lifeline for those shattered by digital harm.
On what date did Harry and Meghan attend the World Mental Health Day Gala?
Harry and Meghan attended the World Mental Health Day Gala on October 9, 2025.
