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William tells fathers: Be open about your feelings with children

The Duke of Cambridge has urged fathers to discuss mental well-being with their children and families and be more open about their own feelings as he celebrated his third Father's Day as a parent.

William spoke about the importance of families discussing young people's mental health issues, warning that left unresolved they can "alter the course of a child's life forever".

And he encouraged fathers to overcome the common hurdle of struggling to talk about their own feelings, and not to neglect the often tricky topic of their children's mental well-being.

The Duke, along with his brother Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge, has given his support to the Heads Together Campaign, which aims to tackle unresolved mental health problems.

This week he dropped into a coffee shop in London to meet fathers, father figures and children for breakfast, chatting with them about their experiences of parenthood and mentoring.

He also led them in a light-hearted quiz, challenging them to answer questions about each other.

In an article for Heads Together, William - father to George, two, and Charlotte, one - spoke of the importance of broaching mental health issues.



Highlighting how unresolved challenges from childhood can lead to issues such as addiction, suicide and homelessness in adolescence and adulthood, the Duke said: "While the circumstances of any one situation are unique, it is clear that many families could have been helped if they had found it easier to talk openly about mental health challenges in the home."

He added: "It is often said that fathers can often find it hard to talk about their own feelings so there's no wonder they struggle to speak to their son or daughter about the topic.


William said a "generational shift" had taken place in attitudes to mental health, allowing a better understanding of things that in the past went unacknowledged.

He said: "A fifth of children will have a mental health issue by their 11th birthday. And left unresolved, those mental health issues can alter the course of a child's life forever.

"So on this Father's Day, I encourage all fathers to take a moment to ask their children how they are doing. Take the opportunity to discuss how you are coping with life and fatherhood with your wife, partner or with your friends.


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From Belfast Telegraph