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Kate Middleton spoke to kids about mental health after her brother revealed his deep struggle
For Children's Mental Health Week, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visited a school to talk about depression.
She met with the students and encouraged them to share "objects which represent something that makes them feel good," Kensington Palace reported.
As can be seen in the Palace's video, Catherine shared something personal with the class as well – a family photo that brings her joy.
In support of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 2019, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge made a special visit to @Lavender_Sch, where she heard how pupils, parents and staff stay 'Healthy: Inside and Out'
— Place2Be (@Place2Be) February 6, 2019
Watch the highlights below!@KensingtonRoyal @_thedailymile https://t.co/7AiLpNxVV3 pic.twitter.com/VJB1EmKE0m
The photo was her family's 2018 Christmas card photo, shows proud parents Catherine and Prince William posing with their three royal tots.
Her visit to the school follows just days after her brother, James Middleton, opened up about his struggle with mental health and depression.
The 37-year-old mother-of-three visited two London schools in collaboration with Place2Be, an organization that works with more than 280 elementary schools.
The Duchess of Cambridge will attend The Royal Foundation’s ‘Mental Health in Education’ conference on Wednesday 13th February. pic.twitter.com/xaqTJ9tdX6
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 5, 2019
She joined a class on the importance of physical and mental health, and later interacted and joked with the students.
The children put on a sing and dance performance for the duchess, and she discussed with the teachers the uses of art to enhance students creativity.
In an op-ed for the Daily Mail, Catherine's brother recently broke the silence around his own battle with depression, referring to it as "a cancer of the mind."
In the Textiles Classroom @AlpertonCS The Duchess of Cambridge heard how the school uses Art to enhance children’s confidence, creativity and wellbeing across the age groups #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek pic.twitter.com/myw3o4wPsD
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 5, 2019
He added: "During the day I’d drag myself up and go to work, then just stare with glazed eyes at my computer screen, willing the hours to tick by so I could drive home again."
James explained that even the "simple message" meant he couldn't focus on work, communicate, or open any of his emails.
He found it hard to even communicate with loved ones, and added that even though he gets to a lead a privileged life, "it did not make [him] immune to depression."
…The Duchess of Cambridge brought with her a photograph of her family to share with the class.#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek pic.twitter.com/zFYnmswRza
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 5, 2019
James said he took a "timeout" from his life, so to speak, and headed to a part of the Lake District he had loved since he was a child.
Out there in the wilderness, James concluded that he "desperately needed help." He explained:
“This recognition led to a sort of calm: I knew if I accepted help there would be hope. It was a tiny spark of light in the darkness.”
With Year 2 Teacher Ms Monk The Duchess of Cambridge joins pupils sharing objects which represent something that makes them feel good…#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek pic.twitter.com/m5fbFHYb11
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 5, 2019
Catherine and her strong advocacy for mental health convinced James to follow her example and share his experience with the world. He concluded:
"They [Catherine, Prince William, and Prince Harry] believe we can only tackle the stigma associated with mental illness if we have the courage to change the national conversation, to expel its negative associations."
