Prince William has urged businesses to "lead conversations" about mental health in the workplace.
The 34-year-old royal set up Heads Together campaign with wife Duchess Catherine and brother Prince Harry in April to raise awareness of the subject, and has now asked companies to talk to their employees more about mental health and do more to help those affected by the condition.
In a meeting of FTSE 100 company representatives for Heads Together hosted by Unilever, he said: "Your ability as employers to effect long-lasting social change on mental health by the example you set in your workplaces is something that I strongly urge you to embrace.
"And it is not so hard – there are people here to help you.
"Outside, you have seen the impressive suite of options available to employers to help address mental health in your organisations.
"There is a lot to take in but, as a first step – for those of you new to this area – may I suggest you sign up to the Time to Change Employer Pledge.
"The Time to Change Pledge commits you to change how mental health is talked about and acted upon in your workplace, and provides a good foundation on which to build.
"Over the coming months, Heads Together and our partners will be building on the excellent work already being done by many in this room to identify gaps in support, enhance existing services and develop new solutions for mental health in the workplace.
"Heads Together aims to change the conversation on mental health and, for this, we need your experience, your expertise and your advice.
"It would also help us to get people talking if business leaders like you could lead conversations about mental health within your own workplaces.
"Without employers committed to changing attitudes, we would be pushing a rock uphill – but, with you, we can and will change the way we think about mental health in this nation."
William – who has son Prince George, three, and 19-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte with Catherine – also drew on his own experiences as an air ambulance pilot, and admitted work can be an "overwhelming" place for everyone at times.
He added: "Work, as we all know, can at times be a source of great fulfilment, growth and fun, but also at times a significant source of stress – sometimes, if we are honest, to the point of its being overwhelming.
"As a pilot working with an air ambulance charity, I have seen first-hand how work can affect individuals’ mental health.
"But I have also seen how an employer can create an environment where it is as unremarkable to talk about feeling a bit ‘down’ as it is to admit to having a cold."
Prince Williams in mental health plea to businesses
