Kate Middleton champions 'Child in Mind' podcasts in support and awareness of mental health issues

The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken about the importance of giving mental health support to young children. Kate Middleton, who has been championing mental health awareness, said getting early support for a child who is struggling to cope is "the best possible thing we can do".

"One in three adults still say they would be embarrassed to seek help for their child's mental health," Kate explained. "No parent would fail to call the doctor if their child developed a fever, yet some children are tackling tough times without the support that can help them because the adults in their life are scared to ask. It doesn't need to be like this.

"Throughout my work with family and child support organisations, one thing that has stood out to me time and again is that getting early support for a child who is struggling to cope is the best possible thing we can do to help our children as they grow up.

"Knowing this, both William and I feel very strongly that we wouldn't hesitate to get expert support for George and Charlotte if they need it. I hope that this excellent series of podcasts by the Anna Freud Centre will go some way to help families overcome that fear of what happens next if they look for professional support.

"They illustrate that many of the therapies are actually very simple and practical steps that include the whole family to help children make sense of the world around them."

The Duchess is patron of children's mental health charity the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. She announced that the charity has launched a series of expert podcasts titled Child in Mind, in a bid to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems, Mirror Online reports.

Presented by BBC Radio 4 presenter Claudia Hammond, the podcast comprise 20-minute episodes in which an issue surrounding child and family mental health is discussed with an expert and a young person or parent.

Praising the initiative to use available technology to create greater understanding of mental health issues among, the young royal said: "I hope that this excellent series of podcasts by the Anna Freud Centre will go some way to help families overcome that fear of what happens next if they look for professional support.

"They illustrate that many of the therapies are actually very simple and practical steps that include the whole family to help children make sense of the world around them. They show how with the right help, children have a good chance of overcoming their issues while they are still young, and can have the bright future they deserve," she explained.

Urging parents to utilise the service she added: "Please do listen, and share them with your friends and family and let's change the way we all talk to each other about our mental health." The podcasts draw on the real-life experience of parents dealing with their children's mental heath issues.

Introducing a parent who has shared her story, Kate added: "The first episode focuses on childhood anxiety and features Beckie, whose 10-year-old son Luke's anxiety caused severe difficulties in her family's life."

Explaining why she lent her support to the initiative, Beckie said: "I've always wanted to be a mum. However, along with delight and satisfaction, being a mum has also unearthed feelings of frustration and self-doubt. These feelings were particularly amplified by my eldest son's anxiety. This podcast is a great opportunity to share my experience with other parents so that they know that they are not alone."

In February, Kate helped launch Children's Mental Health Week as the royal patron of Place2Be, an organisation which works within schools to provide early support. The Duchess of Cambridge recorded a special video message on the occasion in which she called for prioritising the emotional well-being of children.

On 10 October 2015, the Duke and Duchess are expected to attend an event hosted by mental health charity Mind at London's Harrow College, where they will have the opportunity to meet with young people who have experienced mental health problems