Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty ImagesAhead of the birth of her second child, Kate Middleton is continuing her mission to aid children struggling with mental health.
In a message to the U.K.'s The Times, the Duchess of Cambridge says great strides have been made to improve the stigma of adult mental illness, and she hopes the same will happen for children struggling with psychological issues.
"I have been heartened to see that so much progress has been made in ending the taboo of adults openly treating mental well-being as the health issue it is," Middleton said in a message to The Times. "I believe that our generation of parents, carers, teachers, and health workers now have the chance to give the mental health of our children the focus it requires."
Prince William's wife is due "mid-to-end" of April, and the 33-year-old royal is expected to make her final public appearance before giving birth on Friday.
"I feel strongly that young people and parents need to know that they can ask for help," Prince George's mama continued. "Just as with physical health, we need to act early to provide support when a child is faced with emotional difficulties."
Middleton is the Royal Patron of Place2Be, a nonprofit organization providing mental health services to kids in schools, mainly those in areas of socioeconomic deprivation. She has served as patron of the organization since 2013, and last month, she paid a visit to a hospital school to meet with children struggling with psychological illness.
"This is a discussion that William and I hope to play a part in during the months and years to come," Middleton told The Times, suggesting she hopes to further her children's charity work after the birth of royal baby No. 2. "We welcome all work to highlight this important issue for the benefit of all our young people."
This isn't the first time Middleton has talked about children struggling with mental health. She previously spoke out in honor of the U.K.'s first Children's Mental Health Week, delivering a powerful and profound speech that noted the importance of asking for help.
"The challenges children face in the U.K. today could often feel overwhelming. Both Prince William and I have seen that many young people are struggling to cope with the impact of bullying, domestic violence, family breakdowns and more," she said. "Without support, the effects of these challenges can be traumatic leading to serious issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction and self-harm."
"We need to help young people and their parents understand that it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help," she added. "A child's mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support."