Kate has arty answer for mental wellbeing

THE Duchess of Cambridge has urged young people to express themselves through the arts to help their mental wellbeing during lockdown.

Ahead of Children’s Mental Health Week, Kate recorded a video message to encourage children and parents to share their thoughts and feelings, during such a “hugely challenging time for us all”.

The mum of three 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.”

She highlighted the crucial need for parents and carers to look after their own mental health, and pointed to the impact that this has on the children in their care. Kate last week confessed to being “exhausted” by homeschooling Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, during an online chat with parents.

She said: “Personally, I feel pulled in so many different directions and you try your best with everything, but at the end of the day I do feel exhausted.”

Last year she launched her landmark survey on the Early Years, 5 Big Questions on the Under-Fives, which aimed to spark the biggest-ever conversation on early childhood. See childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk.

EAST Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, supported by the Duchess of Cambridge and Ed Sheeran, says it’s facing a £2million shortfall and will need to close offices to save money. But chief executive Phil Gormley said the charity’s three hospices “would remain open”.