Kate Middleton and Prince Harry campaign on mental health

Kate Middleton and Prince Harry campaign on mental health

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Celebrities including former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff, journalist Mark Austin and comedian Ruby Wax have spoken candidly about their experiences of mental illness as part of a major new royal project.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have today released ten specially-commissioned films featuring people from all walks of life talking about their battles with anxiety, alcoholism, depression, trauma and eating disorders.

The films form part of their long-running campaign to break what they say is the national stigma around mental health issues.



Leading directors such as Stephen Frears, whose previous work includes The Queen, Dangerous Liaisons and Philomena, have also taken part in the project.



Last year William, Kate and Harry formed the Heads Together coalition, bringing together some of the country’s leading charities and campaigners in the field to start what they describe as a ‘national conversation about mental health’.

A new survey commissioned by the organisation, described as the most comprehensive survey ever conducted on the mental health stigma, has found that the issue is at a ‘tipping point’.

Its findings show that nearly half of the public have had a conversation about mental health over the past three months but that men are still less likely to talk about the issue than women – just 37 per cent compared to 54 per cent.



Most are likely to broach the issue first with a friend or family member, while just three per cent have spoken to someone from an support organisation and two per cent with someone from human resources at work.

Prince Harry has himself undergone professional training to help people suffering from mental health issues as part of his work in the field, it can be revealed.

The fifth in line to the throne attended a two-day course while working with injured servicemen and women at the London District Personnel Recovery Unit.



He plans to use the course of his public work with veterans. A source explained: ‘Through his work with the personal recovery unit he attended a two-day course about how to help people with mental health issues in the veterans’ context.

'It’s about mental health first aid: what do you do when someone comes to you, what words should you use, which direction can you point them in? It also went through the range of issues veterans face.’

Kate has been inspired to tackle issue through her work with addicts, many of whom have suffered unresolved mental health issues as children, while William was moved after dealing with a suicide case on his first day at work as a pilot with East Anglia Air Ambulance.

‘They want mental health to be elevated to the same level as physical health and well-being, which is something we all feel comfortable talking about, said an aide.



In a statement William, Kate and Harry said: ‘Since we launched Heads Together last May, we have seen time and time again that shattering stigma on mental health starts with simple conversations.

'When you realise that mental health problems affect your friends, neighbours, children and spouses, the walls of judgement and prejudice around these issues begin to fall. And we all know that you cannot resolve a mental health issue by staying silent.

‘Attitudes to mental health are at a tipping point. We hope these films show people how simple conversations can change the direction of an entire life. Please share them with your friends and families and join us in a national conversation on mental health in the weeks ahead.’

The films feature both celebrities and ordinary member