Good point about people weaponizing suicidal ideation. I’ve been through that too, with an ex. Well, he tried it twice.

That said, for me that experience leads me to believe her more than doubt her. Here’s why:

• She asked for help. People who use suicide as a weapon don’t ask for help, they just blame you for making them suicidal. When you offer it after they’ve made a declaration, they come up with excuses for why they can’t have it. When you demand they get help or else, they gaslight you with something like, “you just want me to kill myself because you can’t love me the right way.” Or maybe they agree and then back out when things calm down, or they admit they never meant it. That was my experience and the experience of many others dealing with narcissistic abuse or a family member with BPD.
• Weaponized suicide threats are generally given to family members who are trying to set boundaries, not expressed to the public at large because doing so exposes you to a mental hygiene commitment process by anyone who wants to pursue it and has the means to do so. If you’re faking, a 72 hr psych hold may end your ability to manipulate your loved ones because a professional will spell it out for them. Too risky; you can lose a lot more than you gain in the moment for the sake of drama.
• Harry confirmed she asked for help.
• Prolonged abuse and harassment have a psychological effect of ostracism, isolation, depression, suicidal ideation. Everyone has a breaking point.
• Celebrity, same thing. There’s a reason why so many celebrities and high profile people tend to crash and burn with addiction, mental health, or both.
• Piers Morgan’s coverage of her alone is enough to drive anyone over the edge and down to crazy town. He’s been absolutely and unnecessarily vile toward her. You can be respectfully critical of someone without assassinating their character every time they hiccup. Your article makes that point. Let’s also not forget he’s just one of many.
• She was pregnant at the time. Depression during pregnancy is fairly common in the best of circumstances. Given the constant ongoing scrutiny and pressure, it’s not unreasonable to conclude that she really was struggling with her thoughts.