“IT’S ok not to be ok”, said the Royal Borough’s health lead following Piers Morgan’s “regrettable and unnecessary” comments on Meghan Markle’s mental health.

The former Good Morning Britain host sparked controversy, which attracted a record number of complaints to the TV regulator Ofcom, after he said he “didn’t believe a word” the Duchess of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey about her mental health in an interview.

Mr Morgan briefly walked off the programme after clashing with weather presenter Alex Beresford, who criticised Mr Morgan for “continuing to trash the duchess”.

Speaking to the Observer, councillor Stuart Carroll, lead member for adult social care, children’s services, health, and mental health, condemned the former Good Morning Britain’s comments, saying dismissing one’s mental health can be “extremely damaging”.

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He said: “Regardless of one’s opinion on Meghan Markle, I think we need to be extremely careful how we talk about suicide and suicidal ideation.

“Frankly, it’s not acceptable or appropriate for Piers Morgan in a national position to start dismissing that subject matter out of hand because it relates to that individual.

“The damage that can do for individuals who are suffering from mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts can be extremely damaging and I think we need to continue to get the message out there that it’s ok not to be ok, we need to eliminate stigma, get people to talk about mental health and when people do talk about their mental health, we need to positively receive and embrace it, not criticise it or use it personally attack someone just because there’s some personal beef there.

“Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 and internationally it’s one of the biggest killers in the world.

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“We talk about a coronavirus pandemic, we have a pandemic called suicide and it’s really, really important that this issue is discussed appropriately, sensitively, compassionately, openly, and candidly.”

Cllr Carroll urged people to utilise technologies to stay in contact with one another as well as exercising in a compliant manner to the national guidance to improve mental health.

If you suffer or know someone who suffers from mental health, you can contact Talking Therapies, Samaritans, and Mind for help and support.

Victims of domestic abuse can seek help from the charity DASH.