Kate makes pledge to help children with mental health issues in biggest speech as a royal

By RICHARD PALMER – The Express
PUBLISHED: Wed, Nov 18, 2015

In a keynote address, a rare public speech for her delivered with more confidence than on previous occasions, to a headteachers’ conference in London, she made the case for early intervention to help vulnerable young people and prevent problems in later life.

The 33-year-old Duchess, recalling her own childhood in Berkshire, admitted she was lucky to have had such supportive parents and teachers but stressed that even those who come from stable, happy homes can suffer from emotional issues that blight them later in life.

She told the headteachers’ conference, entitled My Head is Too Full and run by charity Place2Be at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the City: “I often get asked why I decided to spend time highlighting the mental health of children. I imagine my answer might be similar to many of yours.

“I know that I was lucky. My parents and teachers provided me with a wonderful and secure childhood where I always knew I was loved, valued and listened to.

“But of course many children are not so lucky. Since beginning my work in areas like addiction, for example, I have seen time and time again that the roots of poor mental health in adulthood are almost always present in unresolved childhood challenges.”

She continued: “I am sure you will agree that all children deserve time, attention and love from the adults in their lives. These basic qualities are so much more valuable than the always changing material and social concerns that can seem so important to young people.