Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has urged children to talk about their mental health in a new charity campaign video.
The 35-year-old royal – who is currently expecting her third child with her husband Prince William – has given a short speech in aid of the You’re Never Too Young To Talk Mental Health campaign, which is aimed at getting young children to open up about their feelings.
Her video message serves as the introduction to a short animation co-produced by children and teachers in association with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, which details different mental health scenarios and tells children how they can cope if they have problems.
Catherine – who already has four-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with her spouse – says in the video: "Hello. Mental health is how we feel and think, things that can’t really be seen but that affect us every day, and talking about them can feel difficult. A charity called the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families have made this animation with children just like you. It helps us all talk about our mental health, what to say, and who to talk to when we have feelings that are too big to manage on our own. And how to listen and help if one of our friends is finding things difficult. Sometimes, it’s just a simple conversation that can make things better."
It isn’t the first time the Duchess has spoken about mental health in young children either, as she previously said it was "important" for parents to talk to their children about these issues.
She said: "As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible start in life.
"Encouraging children to understand and be open about their feelings can give them the skills to cope with the ups and downs that life will throw at them as they grow up.
"It’s important that our children understand that emotions are normal and that they have the confidence to ask for help if they are struggling."
Duchess Catherine urges children to talk about mental health
