mental health
Princes William and Harry joined Kate Middleton on her mission to provide useful mental health services in UK schools. Source: Mr Pics/Shutterstock.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.”

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

‘It’s okay to not be okay’: Students share mental health advice

What are UK universities’ mental health services like? Are they doing enough?