Prince Harry was just 12-years-old when his mother, Princess Diana, died following a horrific car accident in Paris that shocked the world.
In an extremely candid interview with The Telegraph, the Prince opened up, speaking of how he "shut down all his emotions" for almost twenty years following her death, despite attempts by his brother, Prince William, to persuade him to get help.
"I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12 and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but also my work as well," the Prince said.
It was only three years ago that the young royal began to address his grief after feeling "on the verge of punching someone" and facing anxiety during royal engagements, leading him to seek help from professionals.
"It was 20 years of not thinking about it and then two years of total chaos," he said.
"My way of dealing with it was sticking my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mum, because why would that help?"
The Prince, together with his brother and sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, is spearheading the 'Heads Together' campaign which aims to put an end to the stigma around mental health.
I, through a lot of my twenties, was a problem and I didn't know how to deal with it.
"I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and sort of lies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle," he said.
"I know there is huge merit in talking about your issues and the only thing about keeping it quiet is that it's only ever going to make it worse."
Harry, who is now 32, said he is now in a "good place" after opening up to mental health professionals, and has encouraged others to do the same.
"Not just for you but everybody else around you as well because you become a problem. I, through a lot of my twenties, was a problem and I didn't know how to deal with it."
"The experience I have had is that once you start talking about it, you realise that actually you're part of quite a big club."
You can listen to the full interview here.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
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