Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have launched their new campaign to end stigma around mental health, and change the national conversation on mental wellbeing.
William, Kate and Harry all want to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and that friends and families will be able to support loved ones through difficult times. They want to stop the stigma that prevents people getting the help they need.
The Heads Together campaign launch at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, showcased the innovative work of the charity partners, who have achieved so much in tackling stigma, raising awareness and providing vital help for people with mental health challenges.
The team covers a wide range of mental health issues that are close to The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry's passions, including:
- Anna Freud Centre
- Best Beginnings
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
- Contact (a military mental health coalition)
- Mind
- Place2Be
- The Mix
- YoungMinds
“The more we talk about mental health, the more normal the topic becomes, and the more we feel able to open up and seek support. By asking for help, by telling a friend we have a problem, by asking someone else how they feel – by having a conversation – we take the first step to feeling better about ourselves – and the first step to being able to cope better with the ups and downs of life," explained the Duke of Cambridge at the launch.
"This is relevant to everyone."
Highlighting their roles within the campaign, Prince Harry explained how the three of them will, with the help of charities and government officials, come up with "practical ways of providing everyone who needs help with the right support and care."
"We do not want prejudice and fear to stand in the way of people getting the help they need to cope with life," he said.
Heads Together will be open for other organisations to join in the months ahead and will be supported by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Heads Together also has the huge privilege of being the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year, providing a positive platform for energetic and positive fundraising and awareness. Next year, hundreds of runners will hit the streets of London to help end stigma on mental health for good.
