Prince William just released an important message about mental health, and we couldn’t agree more
Know what a pretty stressful job must be? The job of a prince. It’s probably not all glitz and glam (especially when you also have kids!) which is why it’s even more wonderful that Prince William recently discussed mental health and workplace stress during a meeting of the Heads Together campaign. The campaign, started by Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry, is on a mission to spread the word about mental health, and make it less of an unspoken issue.
One goal that the campaign has is for workplaces to start making mental health a priority among its employees. Since it’s something all of us have to handle, and some of us have to work hard to truly conquer, their message is an incredibly important one.
Prince William admitted that he’s had his own battles with mental health, previously suffering from many “sad, dark moments,” which only helps to make many commonly invisible illnesses a bit more visible.
He also believes that it’s incredibly important for employers to address mental health issues seriously.
Mental health issues are the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK. Please share these stats by @Timetochange #HeadsTogether pic.twitter.com/yeGoVWx37h
— Heads Together (@heads_together) December 5, 2016
"I have also seen how an employer can create an environment where it is as unremarkable to talk about feeling a bit ‘down’ as it is to admit to having a cold, he noted during the meeting, which was held at Unilever in London.
The Duke of Cambridge yesterday urged businesses to help change the conversation on #mentalhealth #HeadsTogether https://t.co/1Qt2CCqxE7 pic.twitter.com/isAMAbGmiY
— Heads Together (@heads_together) December 6, 2016
"We know where to turn, as practical help is well sign-posted, and we know that no one will judge us if we do admit to difficulties," he continued. "Mental health exists just as physical health exists. It is no big deal."
Prince William thinks that solving a lot of these issues starts with the workplace. After all, companies in both Canada and the UK have been estimated to lose around $33 billion each year in lost productivity based on undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues with employees.
Knowing that the Prince himself knows how important it is to address mental health issues is such a relief. As if we needed yet another reason to love him, he proves that he truly cares about the general wellness of his community.
