The Duchess of Cambridge and I are officially colleagues - well, sort of. The Royal formerly known as Kate Middleton is moonlighting as guest editor at Huffington Post, highlighting the mental health of youth under the #YoungMindsMatter awareness campaign.
Reading the words of the Duchess is a rare insight into the world of a population we barely ascribe as human. But from day one, Kate has proved herself to be kind, caring, and refreshingly human - leagues away from the hoity toity stereotype of monarchs. Though all the Royals undertake charitable assignments, perhaps it is this nature and the Duchess's relative youth that makes people so receptive to her message.
She and William, now parents in their own right, understandably have become particularly concerned with children's charities.
It's amazing that the Duchess is putting herself out there in the public eye - while so many Royals shirk from publicity - to bring awareness to the plight of children's mental health.
"The mental health of our children must be seen as every bit as important as their physical health," she writes.
"For too long we have been embarrassed to admit when our children need emotional or psychiatric help, worried that the stigma associated with these problems would be detrimental to their futures. Research published today by the Huffington Post indicates that around a third of parents still worry that they will look like a bad mother or father if their child has a mental health problem. Parenting is hard enough without letting prejudices stop us from asking for the help we need for ourselves and our children."
She even refers to her husband and her children, Charlotte and George, by first name, making her infinitely more relatable and likeable to parents in the UK and all over the world.
Through the Young Minds Matter series, the Duchess and Co have assembled the stories and personal experiences of those with mental health challenges, as well as input from researchers that will help parents and teachers help today's children. Much like Bell's "Let's Talk" initiative here in Canada, the Duchess is broaching the conversation about mental health with a view to ending stigma.
"Together," she says, "we have the chance to make a real difference for an entire generation of young children."
If anyone stands a chance at getting the public to listen, it's Kate.
Image Source: WikiCommons
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