The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken over the radio airwaves across the United Kingdom this morning to broadcast a Mental Health Minute.
“Hello I’m Catherine,” the minute begins. “And I’m William, and we’d like to talk,” William continues, telling the audience that they want to encourage people to ‘lift each other out of loneliness.’
The royal couple trades lines, saying that “We’re all in different places right now. Not just physically but mentally. And we can all feel lonely sometimes.”
Kate continues, “No matter who—or where—we are,” with William finishing that “We can feel it for many different reasons.”
This year’s Mental Health Minute coincides with new data that suggests that more than 1 in 10 young people feel lonely often or always, according to survey results from the Community Life Survey. This data suggests that young people are the loneliest age group.
William and Kate then go on to talk about ways to lift each other out of loneliness. William says that “The past two years have really reminded us of the importance of human relationships.” Kate adds, “So, if you think someone you know might be feeling lonely, just give them a ring, send them a text or knock on their door.”
“Maybe suggest meeting for a cup of tea or a walk,” William continues.
“Because these small acts of kindness can make a big difference and help us all feel less lonely.”
The Mental Health Minute ends with an apology from William “for interrupting every radio station in the country,” but Kate says that “if we interrupt the lives of those who are feeling alone,” then we can help lift people out of loneliness.
Mental Health Minute is a creation from the Royal Foundation in partnership with Radiocentre. The minute is played on over 500 stations in the UK during Mental Health Awareness Week to encourage people to take care of their mental health.
The Mental Health Minute is marked to support Better Health — Every Mind Matters, “which offers advice to tackle loneliness and provides NHS-approved tips to help people look after their mental wellbeing,” per Kensington Palace.
William and Kate have contributed to the Mental Health Minute for five years now, but this year marks the first time that they are the sole contributors, giving them an audience of an estimated 20 million listeners.
The royal couple spent time in Scotland earlier this week to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, carrying out engagements with young people, students, homeless and vulnerable families seeking shelter, and footballers.
