The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, has urged members of the public to focus on the issue of mental health. Kate, who is set to welcome her second baby with Prince William next month, added that it was the nation's children, in particular, who need to be cared for.
Releasing a statement via the Palace, Kate started off by praising people for their openness to talk about mental health, compared to previous times.
"I have been heartened to see that so much progress has been made in ending the taboo of adults openly treating mental wellbeing as the health issue it is," she wrote.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate revealed that her second baby is due in "mid-to-late" April
She added: "I believe that our generation of parents, carers, teachers, and health workers now have the chance to give the mental health of our children the focus it requires."
Kate, who is patron to various children's charities including Place2Be, stated that youngsters shouldn't be scared to ask for help, and that early intervention was key in solving later problems in life.
"I feel strongly that young people and parents need to know that they can ask for help," she wrote. "Just as with physical health, we need to act early to provide support when a child is faced with emotional difficulties.
"This is a discussion that William and I hope to play a part in during the months and years to come. We welcome all work to highlight this important issue for the benefit of all our young people."
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate attended the Place2Be Wellbeing School awards last year
Kate was making the statement to mark the Time to Mind campaign – a project set up by The Times that calls on greater investment in child mental health services and in particular early intervention.
The issue of mental health is one that Kate cares deeply about. Earlier this year Prince George's mum showed her support for Children's Mental Health Week by recording a video for Place2Be – the charity she has been royal patron of since 2013.
Kate recorded a special video for Children's Mental Health Week
Kate spoke about how she and William had witnessed children struggling to cope with the impact of issues such as bullying, bereavement, family breakdown and more, which for some young people can lead to depression, anxiety, addiction and self-harm if they don't get appropriate support.
The 33-year-old royal called on parents and teachers to speak to children, and for the social stigma around mental health to be lifted.
Place2Be offers school-based mental health and emotional support services, helping over 67,000 children in 175 schools across the UK.
