William and Kate welcome mental health becoming mainstream but say there is more work ahead

The Duke of Cambridge has hailed the fact that mental health has “at last, moved into the mainstream as part of our daily lives” but said it was vital to keep fighting the stigma.

In a video message marking the end of the 15-year Time to Change mental health campaign, the Duchess said the movement had helped transform attitudes.

“However, the work isn’t done yet, and we cannot afford to stop here,” she said. “It’s so important that we value our mental health just as much as we value our physical health.”

The video was released barely three weeks after the Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey he was ashamed of admitting to his family that his wife, Meghan, needed help when she was suicidal.

“That’s just not a conversation that would be had,” he said.

Mental health has been at the forefront of both the Cambridges’ and the Sussexes’ working lives for a number of years, ever since Prince William, Kate and Prince Harry launched the Heads Together in 2016.

In a message shared on social media on Thursday, the Cambridges highlighted the need to keep prioritising the subject.

The Duke said: “Over the past 15 years, Time to Change Champions have inspired and supported thousands of people across the country. And mental health has now, at last, moved into the mainstream as part of our daily lives.

“We need to keep talking, keep taking action and continue to stand up to the stigma.”

He added: “We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and taken action through Time to Change, helping to challenge the stigma which surrounds mental health.”

The Duchess said: “Movements like Time to Change have helped to transform attitudes and encouraged more openness about mental health in schools, communities and the workplace.”

The mental health anti-stigma campaign closes in England on March 31, when its funding ends. Although additional funding was sought from the Government, it was not granted, Time to Change said.

Some 5.4 million people – a change of 12.7 per cent – had improved their attitudes to those living with mental health problems over the last decade-and-a-half, the campaign said.

More than 7,500 champions with experience of mental health problems, 1,500 employers, 3,000 secondary schools and a network of 50 regional Time to Change Hubs were involved in the initiative.

The message was played at a virtual celebration held to thank those involved in the drive, which initially received funding from Comic Relief and the National Lottery Community Fund, with the Department of Health and Social Care contributing from 2011 onwards.

The event also featured a short film made with supporters including Ruby Wax and Trisha Goddard.