To mark his third Father's Day as a parent, Prince William has released a moving open letter encouraging dads to open up about mental health with their children.
Written for mental health charity Heads Together, which the Prince launched with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge and brother Prince Harry earlier this year, the letter reveals how William feels 'fortunate' for his 'young family,' and how he sees his responsibility as 'to look after not just the physical health of my two children, but to treat their mental needs as just as important a priority.'
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'What we have seen time and time again is that so many of the issues that adolescents and adults are dealing with can be linked to unresolved childhood challenges – addicts that were not getting treatment for a serious psychological condition that started in their teens; men who committed suicide who had been depressed since they were in primary school; homeless teenagers who could not confront significant emotional challenges,' he wrote.
Prince William ends his letter by asking fathers to be more open about mental health, and to not be afraid of discussing the topic with their children and loved ones.
'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. And know that if your son or daughter ever needs help, they need their father’s guidance and support just as much as they need their mother’s.'
Earlier in the week, the Prince attended a Heads Together breakfast at a London branch of Caffe Nero, where he met up with other dads, mentors and children to discuss what fatherhood means.
William made history on Wednesday when he appeared on the front cover of this month's issue of Attitude, becoming the first member of the Royal family to give an interview to a gay magazine.
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