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Kate Middleton: 'No mother is immune to anxiety and depression'

Photo credit: YouTube
Photo credit: YouTube

Kate Middleton has a new job - sort of. Alongside full-time Duchess of Cambridge-ing, she's now a patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA).

And in a video released to mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, Kate shared why the the work of the 'fantastic organisation' was so important.

The mum-of-three shared that no mother 'is immune to experiencing anxiety and depression'.

She also urged everyone in society to step up to help support mothers, saying people needed to help 'parents and carers and all those raising children today'.

Supporting the MMHA isn't a surprising next step for the Royal, who has directed her work towards issues such as mental health and early years support.

The UK-wide charity and network works to help women and families affected by perinatal mental health problems to access 'high quality comprehensive care and support'.

Their work is vital. Especially when you consider that perinatal mental health provision in the UK is - as Women's Health revealed in a previous investigation - desperate patchy. And, in some places, woefully inadequate.

Kate reminded people that perinatal mental health issues are very common. 'Around 20% of women in the UK are reported to experience perinatal mental illness,' she said.

She also acknowledged that given the historically stigmatised nature of maternal mental health, the true number of new mothers who are struggling could actually be even higher.

'Sadly, we also know that many more are suffering in silence. No one is immune to experiencing anxiety and depression during this time,' said Kate - before calling for improvements in maternal mental health services.

'It is crucial, therefore, that all those who might be struggling are given the right support at the right time, so that they're able to share these feelings without fear of judgment and can access the information, care and support they need to recover.'

This is the core aim of the MMHA's Everyone's Business campaign. To ensure all women in the UK who experience mental health problems before, during and after pregnancy receive the care and support their families need.

Ambitious - and important - aims here's hoping the clout that comes with Royal patronage will help the get it done.

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