Prince William marks Father’s Day by urging dads to speak to kids about mental health

Father's Day is about celebrating the duty, love and care that dads around the world provide, and Prince William has a very important message to share with his fellow papas.

As he celebrates his third Father's Day as a dad, the Duke of Cambridge spoke openly about the need for a healthier discussion around mental health in the family home. Father of George, 3, and Charlotte, 1, William urged for men not to neglect the responsibility of looking after the mental needs of their children.

"For me it is a day not just to celebrate how fortunate I am for my young family, but to reflect on just how much I’ve learned about fatherhood and the issues facing fathers in all walks of life. "In particular, it is a time to reflect on my responsibility to look after not just the physical health of my two children, but to treat their mental needs as just as important a priority."

In an article published in the Sunday Express, Prince William highlighted that one-fifth of all children will have a mental health issue by their 11th birthday and stressed that if left unresolved can "alter the course of a child’s life forever".

"It is often said that fathers can often find it hard to talk about their own feelings so there’s no wonder they struggle to speak to their son or daughter about the topic. But we don’t really have a choice. "I really believe that a child’s mental health is just as important as his or her physical health."

William's Father's Day message concluded by encouraging all dads to "take a moment" out for their children:

"So on this Father’s Day, I encourage all fathers to take a moment to ask their children how they are doing. Take the opportunity to discuss how you are coping with life and fatherhood with your wife, partner or with your friends. "And know that if your son or daughter ever needs help, they need their father’s guidance and support just as much as they need their mother’s."

Earlier this week, Prince William became the first royal to appear on the cover of a gay magazine. The future king spoke to 'Attitude' magazine about the plight of homophobic bullying. https://twitter.com/AttitudeMag/status/743005707071594496 Finally, a quick reminder that this was also the week that William was at the centre of another important message to the wider world: you're never too old to be scolded by your nan. https://twitter.com/brandonmcg/status/743210283389304834