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Kate’s Message for Children’s Mental Health Week

We are back with a quick post about Kate’s new video in support of the UK’s first Children’s Mental Health Week, which started today. The Duchess taped the video in her role as royal patron for Place2Be, the charity providing school-based emotional support for children.

As mentioned above, this is the first time there has been a week designated to raise awareness about the issues surrounding children’s mental health. One of the points Kate makes in her video is that the stigma surrounding the topic keeps kids from getting help they very much need, something the Duchess says needs to change.

It turns out Kate made the 2-minute video when visiting Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School last week. The Duchess was at the school for more than three hours, even making time for video conferencing with students at remote locations.  More on the mental health video from HuffPo UK’s story:

She stresses that it is “not a sign of weakness to ask for help” for a child, and that helping with emotional problems can stop them developing into more serious issues later in life.

Kate also says in the video that a child’s mental health is as important as their physical health.

Place2Be has posted some stats about the topic on their website and Facebook page.

Place2Be

Place2Be

More data points from Place2Be:

  • 3 children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem
  • Children are less likely to suffer from serious mental health difficulties later in life if they receive support at an early age
  • Depression and anxiety amongst teenagers have increased by 75% in the past 25 year
  • 84% of parents felt their child’s problems were better after receiving Place2Be counseling

More on Kate’s interest in the field from Kensington Palace:

‘The Duchess of Cambridge is especially concerned with early intervention mental health support for young people, to tackle these issues at the earliest possible stage, so that children have the brightest possible futures, as they deserve.”

To show your support and/or view other posts about the topic, use the hashtag #ChildrensMHW on Twitter and other social media channels.

For anyone stateside seeking information about US efforts in this area, there is a similar week, sponsored by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.

National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

This is one of those very rare instances where I want to interject a personal note: good for Kate, Place2Be and all those supporting Children’s Mental Health Week in the UK, as well as here in the US. It’s a tough issue, one needing greater awareness to help move it beyond its status as a taboo topic.

Many readers will remember that Kate has previously done a video in support of a cause related to charities she supports; in April of 2013 the Duchess released a video in support of Children’s Hospice Week.

Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives

This year’s Children’s Hospice Week runs from May 11-May 17.

We make a very sharp turn now, briefly reviewing what Kate wore in the video.

Jaeger

Jaeger

The Duchess wore Jaeger’s Silk Tile Print Shirt Dress. From Jaeger’s silk shop, the knee-length piece features long sleeves, a placed print at the hips and hem, contrasting collar, cuffs and placket, and self-belt. The Duchess has shown a fondness for dresses with placed prints, like the Prabal Gurung worn during the Jubilee Tour, or the Lasa Poppies frock by LK Bennett.Splash news/Splash News/Andres

Below, a better look at the pattern, which Jaeger says was inspired by Italian architecture.

Jaeger

Jaeger

The dress is available in almost all sizes at Jaeger (£250, roughly $385), as well as at John Lewis. The pattern is used on other spring styles at Jaeger, and it also comes in a different colorway. Below you see Kate’s dress in the ‘paprika’ color, as well as two silk tops in both colors.(£175, roughly $275).

Jaeger

Jaeger

Kate wore her Kiki McDonough Green Amethyst and Diamond Drop earrings in the video.

Kiki McDonough

Kiki McDonough

One other note about a Jaeger frock: the creamy white crepe dress Kate wore to the Maritime Museum last June remains available in larger sizes at the Jaeger Outlet site.

Jaeger Outlet/i-Images, Polaris

Jaeger Outlet/i-Images, Polaris

We have a few quick links to recent news stories that may be of interest:

  • Our second link is to a very lighthearted piece. Some may remember how much we enjoyed a tongue-in-cheek Vanity Fair story by Josh Duboff; it followed the New York trip, and in the piece Mr. Duboff revealed that Kate’s ponytail “made him want to be a better person”. (We wrote about it here.) Last week the writer tackled a new topic: the painting done by the Duchess when she visited new headquarters for the 1851 Trust and Ben Ainslie Racing.
Stephen Lock / i-Images

Stephen Lock / i-Images

From Mr. Duboff’s story:

It’s hard to make out the shapes of the five passengers but we’re going to assume that they’re William, Kate, George, Forthcoming Baby No. 2, and Lupo. That could totally be a dog at the end there, right?

1851 Trust

Stephen Lock/i-Images

Hmmmmm.

We’ll see you Wednesday for Kate’s visit to the Emma Bridgewater factory; more info about that engagement can be seen on our Kate’s Calendar page.

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The Way We Were

Friday 27th of February 2015

I'd admit that I didn't notice the dress until i read the post afterwards. I think Kate did a good job with this speech. I can't help but think she has come a long way from the start to where she's at today, in public speech, that is. :) I am not a native speaker so I can't comment on the accent but i like the video. :)

As for the dress/makeup/hair, i personally think they are all just appropriate and just right, not too distracting nor too plain. :)

AshleyOlivia

Friday 20th of February 2015

Well, I'm in the minority here, but I really like this dress. It's very on trend, as these paisley-esque pieces done in silky materials are popping up quite frequently. They do indeed resemble posh pajamas, and the style has been referred to as "pajama wear." I do not support or understand wearing the silky bottoms out in public--which, as far as I can tell, really are just pajama bottoms that society has decided one can now wear out in public--but done as the Duchess has here, in a nice, conservative shirt dress, I think it's fine. I should confess that I have serious shirt dress envy. I'm petite, but I have curves, and a shirt dress does not flatter a curvy figure to my undying regret. This one might actually work, however, as it doesn't have a row of buttons all the way down, which can prove disastrous if you do not buy a dress in a generous fit and have curves (ahem, underwear peek-a-boo can happen).

The Duchess's makeup is also much, much better in this video. The softer application on the eyes is flattering and she has laid off on the blush. (Blush is tricky: wear none and you look dead, wear too much and you look as if you've just finished running a marathon.) Though I do wonder if the over-blushed look of the previous video was just the result of nerves: in other words, she did her blush normally, but then got naturally red from the stress. As someone who hates public speaking, I understand.

Jennifer

Sunday 22nd of February 2015

I think you are probably dead-on about her bright cheeks in the older video. My cheeks flame bright red when I'm nervous too so I completely agree with your suggestion. Good insight!

EF

Thursday 19th of February 2015

Having suffered through mental health problems and had zero support because my family was not open to that sort of thing, I firmly believe in her cause and am so glad she's supporting this. To her point, it is often overlooked till it's too late and sadly parents are often viewed as "bad parents" because their kids are ill. This doesn't happen with a broken bone or flu.

That said I am in the minority on two counts here, 1. I love the dress! So cute and I'm glad to see her in fun prints. 2. I really feel she did a horrible job with the speech and I view it to be just as stiff as all the other times I've seen her speak "officially". It's so odd because she comes across so warm and so open in regular conversations, but then is VERY obviously reading cards for speeches. There are pauses in all the wrong places and emphasis on words which make no sense. I am sure she's working on it, but I think she may just need to start memorizing these and drop the cards.

Penny Garnett

Wednesday 18th of February 2015

lovely to hear Catherine's voice, she speaks beautifully. Her leaning slightly forward as she speaks is the way people who are appearing on TV/video, are coached to do. It presents body language that says "I am in earnest, and confiding". Not in any false way, but to put their point across more forcefully. Not a fan of the dress, though the silk must feel great to wear!

JCD

Tuesday 17th of February 2015

As so many have stated here before me, I'm thrilled that the Duchess is talking about mental illness. While discussed so infrequently, it impacts so many either directly or indirectly.

I'm also not a fan of the dress (although i concur with many others that her hair and makeup look great!). What I noticed immediately, however, was her slouchy posture... I've seen this in many pictures throughout her 4 years as a royal - she's so beautiful but the slouching takes some of that away... In this case, I realize that she is heavily pregnant and it must not be comfortable to stand up straight!

Regardless, she's still my style and beauty role model!

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