Royal on campus! Duchess of Cambridge wraps up warm in a check coat and dons a floral mask as she visits Derby University to hear about how pandemic has affected students’ mental health
- Duchess of Cambridge, 38, looked effortlessly stylish as she paid a visit to students at the University of Derby
- Spoke to first-year students, sports societies and nursing students about effect COVID-19 has had on them
- Mother-of-one heard about what national measures have been put in place to support student mental health
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Kate Middleton cut a casual figure as she paid a visit to students at the University of Derby to hear about how the pandemic has impacted university life today.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, who donned a patterned face mask, wrapped up warm in a check coat, light blue jumper and jeans, and accessorised with a belt and dainty silver necklace.
During her visit, which took place ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October, the mother-of-three also learned about the national measures that have been put in place to support student mental health.
Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, say that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges facing student mental health, in addition to creating new ones.
Kate Middleton dressed down as she paid a visit to students at the University of Derby to hear about how the pandemic has impacted university life today
The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured), who donned a patterned face mask, wrapped up warm in a check coat, light blue jumper and jeans
Even before the onset of COVID-19, both the severity and prevalence of common mental health conditions experienced by young adults was on the increase.
In Derby, the royal, who wore her brown hair loose, was briefed on this national picture by the CEO of Student Minds, Rosie Tressler, who also spoke about the creation of Student Space: a new resource created to support students during the pandemic.
During her visit to the campus, the Duchess of Cambridge spoke to first-year students, sports societies and nursing students about the effect that COVID-19 has had on them, and the ways in which the University is supporting their well-being.
At the University of Derby, initiatives such as peer mentoring are provided as part of a whole university response to mental health.
During her visit, which took place ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October, the mother-of-three learned about the national measures that have been put in place to support student mental health
For example, Nursing students are ‘buddied’ up with fellow students in the year above to provide them with peer support during challenging clinical placements, and the University has given training to its sports societies that will enable students to support their teammates’ mental health.
Additionally, students across England and Wales now have access to trusted support through the coronavirus pandemic via Student Space.
Led by Student Minds, the Student Space programme helps students to find support that is available locally at their university in addition to providing online resources and direct support by phone and text.
The 24/7 text support available via Student Space is delivered in partnership with Shout, which is a legacy initiative from the Heads Together campaign and was incubated by The Royal Foundation ahead of its launch in 2019.
Alongside efforts to support its own students, the University of Derby has also been involved in initiatives at a national level to improve the mental health of students across the sector, including supporting the development of The Wellbeing Thesis and the University Mental Health Charter, both of which are run by Student Minds.