William and Kate broadcast mental health radio message with celebrity supporters

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have called on the country to “reach out to someone” struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

William and Kate also urged those with problems to speak out, during a minute-long radio broadcast, made with a host of stars, that marked the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

England football captain Harry Kane, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, actor David Tennant and world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua were among those who gave messages of support.

During the broadcast the duke said: “We’re all connected, and sometimes just talking about how you’re feeling can make a big difference. So right now, let’s join together across the UK and reach out to someone.”

Kate echoed his words, saying: “If you’re struggling, it’s important to talk about it.

“Or if someone you know is acting differently, it’s OK to ask how they are. Use this moment to send a message.”

The Mental Health Minute was broadcast across every radio station in the UK at 10.59am, uniting all commercial, community and BBC stations, with organisers estimating the audience at more than 20 million.

The Mental Health Minute was produced by Radiocentre and the duke and duchess’s long-running mental health initiative Heads Together, which was launching a series of wellbing guides with Instagram on Monday afternoon.

The guides will focus on wellness and mental health support for people during the Covid-19 crisis.

Each of the UK guides will be curated by Heads Together, and will include posts from a wide range of charity partners, influencers and supporters, signposting UK users to reliable, positive content that supports their mental wellbeing.

In the radio message Lipa said: “We are living through a time which is taking its toll on everyone in different ways. We can all feel scared, alone and confused.”

Tennant added: “And that’s OK. Right now, we all need each other more than ever and in the weeks and months ahead of us we will all have an important role to play in being there for one another.”

Jason Knauf, chief executive of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said: “As we feel the effects of Covid-19 on the nation’s mental health, we will need to support one another more than ever.

“By bringing together the power of radio and social media, we’re delighted to help people connect to one another, and to access reliable, trusted information and resources from our charity partners.”