The panel also featured Allan Brownrigg, director of clinical services at James’ Place charity, as well as musicians Professor Green and Guvna B, and a young man, Nathan, who shared his personal experiences on the subject.
Rapper Professor Green, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, has campaigned on mental health for years and previously spoke in a BBC documentary, Suicide and Me, about losing his father to suicide.
He said he “jumped at the chance” to be a part of the panel, and that it aimed to highlight “the importance of discussions around men’s mental health”.
The rapper, 42, said he also wanted to remind people “that these conversations are important to have and it’s okay to have them”.
“I’ve got a little boy and I hate to think of him growing up in a world where he doesn’t have a circle of friends that he knows he can go to, or services that he knows he can access if in a time of need, at a time when he perhaps doesn’t have me,” he said.
Professor Green, who is a supporter of the suicide prevention charity Calm, said he felt it was “incredibly important” to have the support of Prince William, “not least of all because of the openness that he shows up with, which I don’t think people would necessarily expect”.
“But he’s obviously gone through his own life of suffering and experience and things he’s seen firsthand,” he said.
“And I just think it enables us to shine such a light on something that people will otherwise just avoid.”