Duchess of Cambridge launches pilot mental health website to help primary schools support pupils
The Duchess of Cambridge has said she is committed to helping the "youngest and most vulnerable" in society as she launched a mental health website for teachers supporting pupils.
Kate made her declaration when she visited a London infant school to give the green light to the online project being piloted in 50 schools and coordinated and financed by the duchess' Royal Foundation.
The free website for schools, called Mentally Healthy Schools, is expected to be rolled out nationwide in the spring after being monitored and reviewed.
Today, we are launching 'Mentally Healthy Schools' - our new initiative to support children's mental well-being in schools.
Visit https://t.co/Y0410qtz8v to find out moreOr follow @heads_together on Instagram for live updates pic.twitter.com/he25jYTNGO
-- Heads Together (@heads_together) January 23, 2018
In a speech to launch the portal, Kate told education professionals and guests from the mental health sector: "I see time and time again that there is so much to be gained from talking of mental health and taking the mental health of our children as seriously as we do their physical health.
"When we intervene early in life, we help avoid problems that are much more challenging to address in adulthood.
"My own commitment is to the youngest and most vulnerable in their early years - babies, toddlers and schoolchildren - and to support all those who care for them."
With as many as one in ten young children experiencing a mental health issue before the age of 11, HRH has put young people at the heart of @Heads_Together and her ongoing work with The Royal Foundation. pic.twitter.com/OfBzxnYnre
-- Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 23, 2018
The website will draw together reliable and practical resources to improve awareness, knowledge and confidence in promoting and supporting pupils' mental health.
The content will be provided in four main areas - teaching resources, risks and protective factors, mental health needs, and a whole school approach for school leaders.
The Duchess of Cambridge has arrived at Roe Green Junior School to launch the @Heads_Together 'Mentally Healthy Schools' online resource. pic.twitter.com/CtJh9mwCEg
-- Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 23, 2018
Kate, who was speaking at Roe Green Junior School in Kingsbury, north-west London and wore a coat and dress by Sportmax, added: "Teachers want to help, but don't have the time to go hunting for the best information and advice out there. You need resources you can trust. And you need to have easy access to them at all times. That is what this pilot is all about.
"Led by the Royal Foundation, with close collaboration from our Heads Together partners, this new online resource will transform schools' access to high-quality information, and guide teachers and school leaders towards the best support out there."
