The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, today, attended the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit 2018 at County Hall in London together. The summit is being co-hosted by the UK Government and the OECD. The 2 days summit will bring together political leaders, innovators, experts-by-experience, policymakers and civil society to share the most effective and innovative approaches to mental health and psychosocial disabilities.
This Summit is the next step in a journey to a new level of co-operation so that mental health around the world can be improved.
The Summit will host six workstreams showcasing innovations from across the globe throughout the Summit and developing consensus statements to be delivered to political leaders. The workstreams are:
- Children, young people and the new generation
- Caring Societies: Creating the conditions for inclusion, prevention and wellbeing
- A just society: supporting societal shifts, tackling stigma and discrimination, creating inclusive societies
- Mental health services around the world
- Research and the future of mental health
- The economics of, and investment in, mental health
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince Harry launched the campaign “Heads Together” under the umbrella of their Royal Foundation, to end the stigma around Mental Health. The Summit will host the launch of the landmark Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and secure the agreement of a political declaration to drive international action on mental health.
Today was couple’s first joint engagement after Catherine’s maternity leave. The Duchess’ first engagement was last week when she visited Sayers Croft School.
The Duke and Duchess were invited to attend a workstream on ‘Children, Young People and the Next Generation’. During the day, the couple met and talked with experts and policymakers and members of civil society and various organization and learnt about two case studies of active mental health programmes in Solvenia and America.
Video by The Royal Channel. The Duke and Duchess today joined Children and young People workshop. Rebecca English reported,
William asked one delegate: ‘Have you noticed a shift in attitude in the last few years and months. Have you notice a general change, can you see this the shift? Are we slowly waking up to mental health? ‘ Kate asked another: ‘What’s the best was to access (help)? Is it online, apps?’
The Duke and Duchess dropped into a workshop where they heard about a US initiative providing mental health outreach for mothers by The MOMS Partnership.
The summit hosting a showcase of different mental health organisations, such as Time to Change Global. The Duke and Duchess met global anti-stigma champions Victor, Samuel and Sanchana.
During the day, William and Catherine got an opportunity to try their hand on painting. The Columbia-born contemporary artist Dario Vargas was commissioned to paint a piece inspired by the event.
The London based artist, Dario asked the couple if they would like to add their own special touch to the artwork named Someone to Turn To, and William immediately step back and turned the attention towards his wife Catherine saying: ‘My wife, she’s the arty one!’ Catherine took the brush and joked, “where you can hide it”. Vargas described the couple as ‘great, very fun’.
They discussed the approaches to mental health and how crucial it is to join young people in the mental health discussion with the members of the organization Born this way.
At the end of the visit, the couple visited the ‘Friendship Bench‘ run by United for Global Mental Health and heard about the work of Dixon Chibanda. In Zimbabwe specially trained community grandmothers use the Friendship Bench as a place to listen to and support people with mental health conditions.
The Friendship Bench Project aims to reduce the mental health treatment gap by using a cognitive behavioural therapy-based approach at the primary care level to address ‘kufungisisa’. Kufungisisa, the local term for depression, is literally translated into “thinking too much”.
The Duke and Duchess sat down on the replica of the first friendship bench to discuss the issue with CEO Elisha London. The couple dissolved into giggles pretending to talk naturally. It is always fun to see William and Catherine together out and about.
Today a short film from Time to Change called ‘It’s time to talk (about mental health)’ featuring A-list American actress Glenn Close and contributors from Nigeria, India, Kenya and the UK was also launched. Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: “After generations of mental health being the poor relation to physical health, many of us hope that this first-ever global mental health summit will be a tipping point that prioritises more action on mental health. We’ve made major progress on mental health stigma in England, and hope the Summit acts as a springboard for change across all countries and cultures so that there is no shame attached to mental health anywhere in the world.”
Coming to the sartorial details of the day, The Duchess of Cambridge chose to bring back the familiar piece from her wardrobe back. She wore Emilia Wickstead Kate A-line Wool-Crepe Dress
Catherine debuted the dress last year in July on the last day of Germany visit. The dress is described as, “Emilia Wickstead’s wool-crepe Kate dress is an elegantly versatile choice for the social season. It’s tailored in the UK with a flattering boat neckline and long darts throughout the front and back of the bodice, then lined with black crepe to ensure a smooth fit.”
The $1745 dress is not available in Lavender colour but still available in baby pink, red and navy at MatchesFashion.
An Amusing fact is when Kensington Palace announced today’s engagement last week, they chose the picture of Duchess wearing the same dress in Germany.
The Duchess paired the dress with Gianvito Rossi ‘Gianvito 105’ Praline Suede Pumps.
Catherine premiered a new handbag today. She was carrying Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair deep shine lilac small croc Bag.
The $870 Mayfair bag, that is available different colours, is described on Aspinal as, “Encapsulating timeless vintage-inspired styling, our Midi Mayfair Bag is hand-crafted from the finest deep shine lilac small croc print Italian calf leather. Both versatile and luxurious, the structured boxy design features three inner compartments secured with our enduring shield lock clasp. What’s more, the pastel-toned lilac leather complements multiple outfits and makes an exquisite transitional piece from day to evening. The flawless finish of the leather’s rich, glassy shine and the shimmering grosgrain lining give this accessory a truly elegant feel. With a convenient top handle and detachable strap, our Midi Mayfair is practical for when you’re on the go, featuring optional cross-body styling. Personalise the cross-body strap with up to four initials or a name of up to eight characters to create a truly bespoke piece.“
Her Mappin & Webb Empress Drop earrings and Empress Pendant Necklace.
We sill see Catherine tomorrow when she will be visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum for the first time as its Royal Patron. Duchess will tour the opening display at the Photography Centre entitled ‘Collecting Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital’.
