Kate Middleton Supports Mental Wellbeing of College Students with Special University Visit

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The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out for separate outings in support of their work around World Mental Health Day

Kate Middleton is supporting students and their mental health.

On Wednesday, the Princess of Wales visited a university to see how students were settling in a few after the new semester started.

The outing came one day after World Mental Health Day, which saw Kate give a speech about the importance of mental wellbeing in young people. Kate and husband Prince William hosted a forum and a series of workshops with young people to mark World Mental Health Day on Tuesday.  

Continuing their work in the mental health space, the couple set out on solo outings on Wednesday, with Kate, 41, traveling to Nottingham, and William, 41, highlighting the wellbeing of emergency service workers in Milton Keynes.

<p>Chris Jackson/Getty</p> Princess Kate meets students and staff at Nottingham Trent University today

Chris Jackson/Getty

Princess Kate meets students and staff at Nottingham Trent University today

Kate's visit to Nottingham Trent University, which, along with its neighbor in the English Midlands, Nottingham University, encourages proactive mental health management for its students. During the outing, Kate, who is an alumna of the University of St. Andrews (where she also met William!), joined a Freshers Fayre-style exhibition (the welcome event for new arrivals at the college) to meet with students and colleagues who have been helping students with their mental health. She then took part in wellbeing sessions.

<p>Chris Jackson/Getty</p> Kate Middleton meets students in Nottingham

Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate Middleton meets students in Nottingham

The mom of three held a discussion with three students about peer-to-peer mentoring and then participated in a "step in circle," which is part of the university’s "Welcome Workshop." It is designed to encourage students to share experiences to help them build confidence, proactively manage their well-being, and raise awareness of the wide range of support networks available to them.

Related: Prince William on His Own Mental Health: 'I Still Find It Very Difficult to Talk About It'

<p>Chris Jackson/Getty</p>

Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate also learned about an initiative the university uses to measure a student’s engagement with their course. When a student stops engaging, this can be a sign that the student is struggling and it will prompt the university or tutors to reach out and help them find the right support.

“The Princess is passionate about ensuring young people have the right tools in place to take care of their mental wellbeing, especially in relation to understanding and managing their own emotions,” her office at Kensington Palace said. “She is also focused on encouraging young people to build key protective factors such as healthy relationships and communities around them which will help them to lay stronger foundations as they move through life.”

<p>Chris Jackson/Getty</p> Princess Kate at Nottingham Trent University, on Wednesday

Chris Jackson/Getty

Princess Kate at Nottingham Trent University, on Wednesday

As she was in Nottingham, William headed to the Milton Keynes Blue Light Hub to showcase the importance of supporting the mental health of emergency responders. As a former air ambulance pilot, William experienced first-hand some of the difficulties that the emergency teams face and has advocated for many years for emergency service workers to be equipped with the support and the skills to protect their mental health and build their resilience.

<p>Chris Jackson/Getty</p> Princess Kate meets students in Nottingham, on Wednesday

Chris Jackson/Getty

Princess Kate meets students in Nottingham, on Wednesday

The prince met a group of young people, including Blue Light mental health champions and volunteers, who have recently joined the emergency and search and rescue services and spoke to them about the challenges they face in the early stages of their careers about the challenges.

Related: Kate Middleton Wears Special Earrings in Honor of World Mental Health Day — Find Out Their Meaningful Connection

He was also joined by broadcaster, journalist and psychologist Dr. Sian Williams during the visit to the hub, which is the operational base of South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

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<p>Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty</p> Prince William in Milton Keynes

Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William in Milton Keynes

It is one of the first purpose-built combined fire, police and ambulance premises in the country. Collaboration between the three services was at the forefront of the design, which encourages fire, police and ambulance colleagues to work together at every opportunity to ensure they are supporting each other and providing the best possible service to the community.

<p>Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty</p> Prince William in Milton Keynes on Wednesday

Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William in Milton Keynes on Wednesday

Wednesday’s outings were the latest in a series of mental health initiatives for the royal couple this week. They continue on Thursday.

<p>Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty</p> Prince William in Milton Keynes on Wednesday

Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William in Milton Keynes on Wednesday

Across the Atlantic, William’s brother Prince Harry was joined by wife Meghan Markle as they held their own initiative for their Archewell Foundation in New York City for World Mental Health Day.

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