The 39-year-old mother of Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, told parents to “look after” themselves during this “hugely challenging time”. In the address, due to be released later on Sunday, the future queen spoke about the need “to be the very best versions of ourselves for the children in our care”.
The message marks Children’s Mental Health Week 2021, which takes place from February 1 to 7.
Kate has supported the annual initiative since its launch in 2015. She is a royal patron of Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity.
She said: “This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is all about expressing yourself – about finding creative ways in which to share your thoughts, ideas and feelings.
“So whether that’s through photography, through art, through drama, through music or poetry – it’s finding those things that make you feel good about yourself.
“And while this is Children’s Mental Health Week there has never been a more important time to talk about parental wellbeing and mental health too.
“Last year you told me just how important this was, that many of us find it hard to prioritise. This is a hugely challenging time for us all so please look after yourself too.
“Find those ways in which to share your thoughts and your feelings or find someone to talk to because we really do need to be the very best versions of ourselves for the children in our care.”
In 2020, the duchess released the findings of her landmark study on the early years development of children.
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It suggested 90 percent of people identified mental health issues with parents as a key aspect of supporting the happiness of a child.
But, in practice, most parents in the study struggled to prioritise their own wellbeing.
Kate said lockdown parenting had left her “exhausted” in a video call publicised on Thursday.
She even joked about the “horror” her children faced when she became their hairdresser.
To begin Children’s Mental Health Week, Place2Be has teamed up with Oak National Academy and Bafta Kids to create a free assembly celebrating this year’s theme of ‘Express Yourself’.
The online event begins at 9am on Monday.
It will feature Blue Peter’s Lindsey Russell and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson alongside other famous faces.
