Prince Harryis revealing how he andZakWilliams, son of the lateRobin Williams, were able to bond over their “remarkably similar” experiences with grief.
Zak, 38, also appears in the series — and as Harry toldRobin RobertsFriday onGMA, “[Zak’s] story is a classic example of the parallel thread between what happened with him at his age and what happened to me at my age.”
“It’s remarkably similar,” the prince went on. “There was one thing that he said in a follow-up conversation, which washis service to others has helped heal him. And I think that was a really key moment for Oprah, myself and Zak, when we were on a separate call.”
Prince Harry (L); Zak Williams.GMA/Twitter; Steve Zak Photography/WireImage
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Princess Diana and Prince Harry.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty
Robin Williams (R) and son Zak Williams in 2012.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
“And I think the passionate element of that — being able to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and being able to help in that healing process, is absolutely critical,” he said.
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In aconversation with PEOPLEin October, Zak admitted that in the years that followed his father’s death, he fell into a deep depression and began to self-medicate with alcohol.
Describing himself as feeling “deeply unhappy,” “extremely isolated and broken” and “traumatized” at the time, Zak explained, “Ultimately, I found that if I continued living that way, it wasn’t a life that was worth living. Something had to give.”
Zak soon attended recovery group meetings and, with the help of therapy, healthy eating, exercise and meditation, began to heal and to speak out in hopes of helping others.
And now, the father of one isliving “the life that I always wanted to live.“As he told PEOPLE, “I’ve learned I’m not broken. Despite experiencing traumatic events, I can recover. And I am now on a path of healing and being the person I always wanted to be.”
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Aside from Zak,The Me You Can’t Seealso features high-profile participants likeLady Gaga.Glenn Closeand NBA starsDeMar DeRozanand Langston Galloway. Olympic BoxerVirginia “Ginny” Fuchsand celebrity chef Rashad Armstead are also listed as taking part.
“There were so many people, of all ages, that need to heal and that also, for one reason or another, are unable to heal or maybe unaware that they need to heal,” Harrysaid Friday onGMA. “If we hold on to grief, it manifests itself and appears later in life. That is what I’ve learned from this process.”
If you or someone you know need mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
