Kate Middleton.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Kate Middleton‘s mission to help kids and parents facing unique challenges took a step forward on Wednesday.
The royal mom of three headed out to see a new London center that unites experts, helpers and families looking for aid with mental health issues. It marks a further development for the progress of theAnna Freud National Centre for Families and Children, which Kate has been supporting as she joins them in addressing the problems families face in the early years.
Kate, 37, went to visit the Kantor Centre of Excellence, which brings together leading practitioners in neuroscience, mental health, social care, child development, research and education, alongside young people and their families. By hosting everything in one space, the center is better placed to transform mental health provision for children and their families across the U.K., the charity believes.
Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
She was also shown the Pears Family School that combines mental health care and education, for children aged 5-14, who maybe unsuited to a mainstream school, in a setting in which a parent or carer joins in the classroom with their child.
Kate Middleton.James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
The Anna Freud center, and its head Peter Fonagy, are at the forefront of Kate’s push to create a new framework for families and young people in the early years of their lives. She is looking at education, mental health services and support for families facing crises such as alcoholism and addiction.
Fonagytold PEOPLE earlier this year, “She’s extraordinarily serious about finding good solutions to the challenges of families with young children.”
Kate Middleton.REX/Shutterstock
In a statement, her office said that Kate “is keen to draw attention to the ways in which this charity is making progress in their work to lead a step change in children’s and young people’s mental health care.”
The charity’s work now reaches over one million children in schools as they work to reduce the burden of mental health difficulties that children can face.
Kate Middleton.Press Association via AP Images
“She’s very keen on children and keen that they should be happy,” adds Fonagy, who has also worked alongside Kate with her mental health advocacythrough the Heads Together initiative. “Part of her interest in prevention is to make sure that she does things right in her own parenting.”
“She’s genuinely interested in how to make children’s lives better — and what parents and professionals can do to positively influence the lives of children,” he adds.
Kate also made a short speech about the impact of the work being down at the Anna Freud Centre.
“We are all here today because we care so much about transforming the mental health of children, young people, and their families,” she said. “I have learnt so much about early childhood development and the importance of support for parents through your work here at the Anna Freud Centre. This is something I really do care about.”
The royal mom added, “The ambition for the new Kantor Centre of Excellence is hugely inspiring. The bringing together of research, education, practice and policy, all in one place, will take Anna Freud Centre’s mission to the next level. It is testament to what can be achieved when people work together to realize a shared vision.”
Kate’s visit in support of children’s mental health awareness comes as the world awaits to birth of her sister-in-lawMeghan Markle‘s first child.
Meghan and Harry recently hosted Kate andPrince William, whovisited Frogmore Cottage for the first timesince the move followingEaster church servicesat St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
source: people.com
