A new video message from The Duchess of Cambridge was released today, to mark the beginning of Children’s Mental Health Week. The video was released by one of Catherine’s patronages, Place2Be, which is a children’s mental health charity.
The Duchess of Cambridge encourages adults to support young people and help them to realise their full potential (Place2Be)
Place2Be is part of the Heads Together campaign, which was created by Catherine, William and Prince Harry to raise awareness of mental health issues. The Duchess, who has two children and is expecting her third this spring, has used her participation in Heads Together to really highlight childhood and maternal mental health.
The video is just under two and a half minutes long, and shows Kate speaking with children at various engagements she has undertaken in conjunction with Place2Be. The message was filmed last month, when the Duchess of Cambridge visited Reach Academy, one of 282 schools in the UK that receive support from Place2Be.
The full video can be seen below (C/ Place2Be):
The Duchess speaks to pupils, parents and teachers about the importance of working together to support young people as they learn to be the best version of themselves during @Place2Be #childrensmhw pic.twitter.com/XiV09zOznS
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) 5 February 2018
Kate encourages young people to be the “best version of themselves”, stressing the importance of childhood as “our experience of the world at this early stage helps to shape who we become as adults,” and can also determine how comfortable we feel in our own skin. She also acknowledges that every child is facing a different situation, with some undergoing tougher times than others. However, the Duchess believes that:
“While we cannot change their circumstances, we can ensure that every child is given the best possible support to ensure they fulfil their true potential”.
In the video, Kate also emphasises the role that adults must play in supporting children, stating:
“This is best achieved when we, the adults in their lives, work together to give children the emotional strength they need to face their futures and thrive.”
In addition to her own message, the video also shows Catherine speaking to two students, a mother-of-two children who have received help from Place2Be and Principal Ed Vainker. During the discussion, the group reflects on the role schools must play in supporting young people who are struggling with mental health issues and encouraging children to be themselves.
the duchess of cambridge in the video for children’s mental health week
The Duchess, ends by stating how proud she is to support Place2Be’s work, and calling on everyone to support young people as they grow up and discover who they are:
“Whether we are school leaders, teachers, support staff or parents, we each have a role to play. When we are open and honest with each other about the challenges we face, we can work together to ensure the children in our care have the chance to become the best version of themselves.”
