Duchess Kate Sends a Powerful Letter in Support of Children's Mental Health Efforts
The Duchess of Cambridge has just launched a landmark survey about raising the next generation. And now she has pointed out that, for some children, “the world can feel a scary and daunting place” in a message of support for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week.
Kate has written the message as patron of charity Place2Be, which provides mental health support in schools across the UK. The organization launched its first Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 and has marked the event each year since. This year’s theme is "Find your Brave" and aims to highlight the fact that bravery isn’t about coping alone, but can be about sharing worries and asking for help.
“For many children today, the world can feel a scary and daunting place,” Kate’s message begins. “While we might not always feel brave inside, even the smallest act—such as sharing a worry or asking for help—can be incredibly courageous. Helping children to feel confident about seeking support can have a transformational impact on their lives.”
The Duchess also advocates the importance of trying new things to help children build resilience to cope with adult challenges.
She praises the charity for “helping children, young people and adults to be more confident in looking after their mental health,” but adds that “there is still much more to do.” Referencing her survey, which is called "five big questions on the under fives," Kate writes: “Our long-term ambition is to bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come.”
Chief Executive of Place2Be, Catherine Roche, added: “This week, schools across the UK are helping pupils understand what it means to be brave. Life often throws challenges our way, and it’s important that children of all ages know it’s not a weakness to speak up or ask for help.”
The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of Place2Be since 2013, reflecting her longstanding interest in children’s mental health. The organization provides mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counseling. They also offer expert training and professional qualifications.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2020 runs from February 3rd to 9th.
Read Kate's full message below:
“For many children today, the world can feel a scary and daunting place. While we might not always feel brave inside, even the smallest act—such as sharing a worry or asking for help—can be incredibly courageous. Helping children to feel confident about seeking support can have a transformational impact on their lives.
“Being able to try new things and push ourselves outside of our comfort zone are important skills that can build children’s resilience and self-esteem. Learning these skills early in life can give children tools to cope with future challenges they may face in adulthood.
“I am therefore so pleased to once again support Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week, which is this year focused on bravery. Through all my interactions with the charity, I’m proud to have seen how its work is helping children, young people and adults to be more confident in looking after their mental health, but there is still much more to do. The first step is talking about it, and recently I’ve launched a UK-wide survey on the under-fives in an attempt to get people to do just that. Our long-term ambition is to bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come.
“I’d love schools and families across the country to take part in the week to help children and young people to ‘find their brave.’”
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