Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge has opened up a new mental health campaign with Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families on mental health for children. Source - Youtube/Anna Freud NCCF
The Duchess of Cambridge has made her first appearance since her pregnancy announcement in a charity video about children's mental health.
Kate, who has been forced to take a break from public duties due to morning sickness, today launched the "You're never too young to talk mental health" campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
In a video recorded in January, several months before she is believed to have fallen pregnant, Kate urged parents to encourage their children to be "open about their feelings".
According to the Daily Mail, donning a $2,900 Eponine blue coat, the well-spoken duchess also called on people to speak out when they have feelings that are "too big to manage on our own".
The campaign, which aims to promote mental health awareness in schools, includes a video introduction from Kate, which she recorded on a visit to the Child Bereavement UK Centre in East London in January this year.
Discussing the campaign, Kate, who is soon-to-be a mother-of-three, 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.
"This is why I am proud to support the 'You're never too young to talk mental health' campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, which is being rolled out across primary schools this autumn.
"The campaign's resources are excellent tools to support parents. They demonstrate how we can help children express their feelings, respond appropriately, and prevent small problems from snowballing into bigger ones."
The campaign kicks off with an animation co-produced by children and teachers, which is accompanied by free teaching materials designed to help children learn the life-long skills to help them talk about "big" and "small" feelings, and how to listen to their friends when they need to talk.
A leaflet to help parents and carers start conversations with their children about mental health is also published today.
The Duchess stated: "it's important that our children understand that emotions are normal."
Every primary school in the England will receive a downloadable teaching resource pack this week, including assembly and lesson plans to enable them to use the animation in school for World Mental Health Day.
Discussing the campaign, Professor Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of AFNCFC said: "One of the most effective things we can do is to give children the language they need to discuss mental health and encourage them to have open conversations at home and at school.
"Helping children identify problems that they or their friends are having is the first step towards resolving those problems. And if we can help children who are struggling with their feelings or experiences, they will be happier and perform better at school.
"We have identified 9-11 year olds because they are at a crucial point in their lives when they are preparing for transition to secondary school and on the cusp of adolescence.
"With the backing of schools and parents together we can help them manage these and other challenges they face with greater confidence and prevent any problems from escalating."
Kate visited the centre earlier this year and while she may have a full-time live-in nanny and a mother who gives her plenty of help with Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, Kate suggested it still wasn't easy bringing up a family.
After listening to the stories of a group of mothers who have been through problems such as a family history of abuse and addiction, she admitted that "Parenting is tough".
She added: "And with the history and all the things and the experiences you've all witnessed, to do that on top of your own anxieties, and the lack of support you also received as mothers...I find it extraordinary how you've managed actually. So really well done."
She visited the unit to learn more about its work with families who have children under five that are at risk of being taken into care.
