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Duchess Kate reflected on the importance of raising awareness of the “invisible reality of mental health during pregnancy and beyond”.
British charity Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) shared a letter it received from the Princess of Wales, 43, in an Instagram post on Friday, November 14th. The heartfelt letter highlighted the importance of the charity’s new exhibition, which explores the theme of mental health in motherhood.
“MMHA continues to champion the voices of people living through perinatal mental illness,” wrote Duchess Kate, the charity’s royal patron. “Their new photo exhibition, This Is Motherhood, explores the invisible realities of mental health during pregnancy and beyond.”
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The Princess of Wales explained that the charity’s exhibition focuses on the mental health journeys of “10 extraordinary women” since becoming mothers, and praised their “courage” in speaking out about their experiences.
“Their courage to speak openly about their experiences, whether marked by trauma, joy, or resilience, shows the great fragility and strength of the human condition,” she continued. “Through their portraits and letters, they remind us that no one should go through the perinatal journey alone.”
The Duchess of Cambridge, who shares children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, with her husband Prince William, said: “This exhibition is testament to MMHA’s core mission of ensuring that all families in the UK have access to the mental health care and support they need before, during and after pregnancy.”
The Princess of Wales said the exhibition was a reminder that “perinatal mental health challenges can be overcome” and that “every parent’s story matters”, concluding: “Every voice has the power to help build a society where love, hope and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.”
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MMHA said it was “honored” by Duchess Kate’s support on this issue. “Her support for ‘This Is a Mother’ and our desire to normalize conversations about mental health during early motherhood and parenting is something we cherish deeply,” they wrote.
According to the charity’s website, the charity is dedicated to ensuring efficient and sensitive care is provided to women with perinatal mental health problems and those preparing to give birth.
The Princess of Wales’ support on the topic of mental health came in a recent video posted to her social media channels in which she shared a personal message about transitioning and “learning to let go.”
In the clip shared on Saturday, Nov. 15, Duchess Kate narrates a video titled “Autumn,” the third in the royal family’s quarterly “Mother Nature” series, which began earlier this year.
“This is a season of reflection and refinement,” she said, before adding, “As the seasons change, Mother Nature teaches us that there is beauty in change, impermanence, and letting go. These are the natural cycles of life.”
