UK: Duchess Kate Middleton introduces mental health resources for schools

26 Jan 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has launched a mental health campaign in United Kingdom schools.

Founded with her husband Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, and his brother Prince Harry, the campaign aims to change the way teachers and children approach mental health.

Through the Heads Together mental health campaign, Middleton launched the Mentally Healthy Schools (MHS) programme.

Princess Kate launches mental health program for schools: https://t.co/C0nnbntwKP pic.twitter.com/hZ4D8WD0Tm

— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 23, 2018

MSH will present teachers with a multitude of resources to help them identify and support children struggling with their mental wellbeing in school.

The service will be available online and at no cost to every single primary school in the UK.

The resources are all reliable and tested and geared towards adults who wish to help children.

The Duchess of Cambridge has arrived at Roe Green Junior School to launch the @Heads_Together 'Mentally Healthy Schools' online resource. pic.twitter.com/CtJh9mwCEg

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 23, 2018

“Over the last two years, William and Harry and I have been honoured to take part in a national conversation on mental health through our Heads Together campaign,” Yahoo News reported Middleton said in a speech at Roe Green Junior School in London.

“What we have seen first-hand is that the simple act of having a conversation about mental health – that initial breaking of the silence – can make a real difference.”

📹Watch what happened when we visited @RoeGreenJS with The Duchess of Cambridge to launch Mentally Healthy Schools.

This project will transform junior school teachers' access to high-quality resources and information, helping them better support their pupils' mental well-being. pic.twitter.com/uD6bVI54Fv

— Heads Together (@heads_together) January 24, 2018

The pregnant Duchess attended the launch of MHS at Roe Green this week.

Yahoo News reported Middleton was inspired by her own children to set up the programme. The initiative is designed to ensure every child in the UK is able to experience a happy, healthy childhood.

https://twitter.com/ChefLori83/status/956548922457165825

“When we intervene early in life, we help avoid problems that are much more challenging to address in adulthood,” she said.

“My own commitment is to the youngest and most vulnerable in their early years – babies, toddlers and primary school-age pupils – and to support all those who care for them, including teachers.”

Programmes like this hope to provide a better understanding of mental health, especially with rising cases of mental health issues in the UK’s students.

Middleton is attempting to provide the necessary resources to teachers, children and parents in their early years, before mental health conditions develop or increase in severity.

"What we have seen firsthand is that the simple act of having a conversation about #mentalhealth – that initial breaking of the silence – can make a real difference." https://t.co/BsRdCTywSf

— BHSArkansas (@BHSArkansas) January 24, 2018

According to Yahoo News, Heads Together estimated over 50 percent of all mental health problems in adults started before the individual turned 14. Additionally, an estimated one in 10 children experiences difficulty with their mental health before age 11.

Middleton said: “The ultimate goal is that no primary school teacher, anywhere in the country, should in future have to wonder where to turn when it comes to the wellbeing of children in their care.”