Kate Middleton.Photo: Kensington PalaceKate Middletonis sending an important reminder about dealing with addiction.As patron of The Forward Trust, the Princess of Wales shared a video for the “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign, launching for the second year on the first day of Addiction Awareness Week on Sunday.“Addiction is a serious mental health condition that can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, race or nationality,” Kate, 40, said. “As Patron of The Forward Trust, I have met many people who have suffered from the effects of addiction.“She continued, “Attitudes to addiction are changing. But we are not there yet, and we need to be. Still the shame of addiction is stopping people and families asking for help and people are still tragically losing their lives. We as a society need to recognize that the only way to help those suffering is to try and understand what has led them to addiction, to empathize with them and to be compassionate to their struggles.“Speaking directly to those suffering from addiction, Kate said, “Please know that addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. I want you to know that this is also a serious health condition. Please do not let shame hold you back from getting the help you so desperately need.““The charities leading the Taking Action on Addiction Campaign, along with others, are working across the country delivering life-changing work to help people recover and move forward. They are here for you. So please ask for help,” she continued. “I know this was not a choice. Recovery is possible.“Kate wasannounced as patron of The Forward Trustin June 2021, one month after the organization merged withAction on Addiction.Over the last decade, Princess Kate’s experience working with addiction charities has helped lay the groundwork for her understanding of the complexities of mental health and has informed much of her work on the early years of a child’s life.Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson - Pool/GettyKate andPrince Williamtook abreak from public engagementsover the past two weeks as their three children —Prince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — were off from school on their half-term break. The royal couple traditionallyscale backtheir schedules during school vacations in order to spend more time with their kids.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!But during the break, Kate announced a new patronage: formallysupporting Captain Preet Chandi’s upcoming expeditionacross Antarctica. Chandi, an officer and physiotherapist currently serving in the British Army, hopes to become the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported in a journey of over 1,000 miles.“My aim for this expedition has always been to inspire people to push their boundaries. I want to bring people on this journey with me, to help them believe that nothing is impossible,” Chandi said in a statement. “It is an absolute privilege to have The Princess of Wales as the Patron.”

Kate Middleton.Photo: Kensington Palace

Kate Middleton Shares Video for Addiction Awareness Week

Kate Middletonis sending an important reminder about dealing with addiction.As patron of The Forward Trust, the Princess of Wales shared a video for the “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign, launching for the second year on the first day of Addiction Awareness Week on Sunday.“Addiction is a serious mental health condition that can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, race or nationality,” Kate, 40, said. “As Patron of The Forward Trust, I have met many people who have suffered from the effects of addiction.“She continued, “Attitudes to addiction are changing. But we are not there yet, and we need to be. Still the shame of addiction is stopping people and families asking for help and people are still tragically losing their lives. We as a society need to recognize that the only way to help those suffering is to try and understand what has led them to addiction, to empathize with them and to be compassionate to their struggles.“Speaking directly to those suffering from addiction, Kate said, “Please know that addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. I want you to know that this is also a serious health condition. Please do not let shame hold you back from getting the help you so desperately need.““The charities leading the Taking Action on Addiction Campaign, along with others, are working across the country delivering life-changing work to help people recover and move forward. They are here for you. So please ask for help,” she continued. “I know this was not a choice. Recovery is possible.“Kate wasannounced as patron of The Forward Trustin June 2021, one month after the organization merged withAction on Addiction.Over the last decade, Princess Kate’s experience working with addiction charities has helped lay the groundwork for her understanding of the complexities of mental health and has informed much of her work on the early years of a child’s life.Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson - Pool/GettyKate andPrince Williamtook abreak from public engagementsover the past two weeks as their three children —Prince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — were off from school on their half-term break. The royal couple traditionallyscale backtheir schedules during school vacations in order to spend more time with their kids.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!But during the break, Kate announced a new patronage: formallysupporting Captain Preet Chandi’s upcoming expeditionacross Antarctica. Chandi, an officer and physiotherapist currently serving in the British Army, hopes to become the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported in a journey of over 1,000 miles.“My aim for this expedition has always been to inspire people to push their boundaries. I want to bring people on this journey with me, to help them believe that nothing is impossible,” Chandi said in a statement. “It is an absolute privilege to have The Princess of Wales as the Patron.”

Kate Middletonis sending an important reminder about dealing with addiction.

As patron of The Forward Trust, the Princess of Wales shared a video for the “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign, launching for the second year on the first day of Addiction Awareness Week on Sunday.

“Addiction is a serious mental health condition that can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, race or nationality,” Kate, 40, said. “As Patron of The Forward Trust, I have met many people who have suffered from the effects of addiction.”

She continued, “Attitudes to addiction are changing. But we are not there yet, and we need to be. Still the shame of addiction is stopping people and families asking for help and people are still tragically losing their lives. We as a society need to recognize that the only way to help those suffering is to try and understand what has led them to addiction, to empathize with them and to be compassionate to their struggles.”

Speaking directly to those suffering from addiction, Kate said, “Please know that addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. I want you to know that this is also a serious health condition. Please do not let shame hold you back from getting the help you so desperately need.”

“The charities leading the Taking Action on Addiction Campaign, along with others, are working across the country delivering life-changing work to help people recover and move forward. They are here for you. So please ask for help,” she continued. “I know this was not a choice. Recovery is possible.”

Kate wasannounced as patron of The Forward Trustin June 2021, one month after the organization merged withAction on Addiction.

Over the last decade, Princess Kate’s experience working with addiction charities has helped lay the groundwork for her understanding of the complexities of mental health and has informed much of her work on the early years of a child’s life.

Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales listen as they speak with staff and counsellors during their visit to the PIPS (Public Initiative for Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm) charity on October 06, 2022 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Kate andPrince Williamtook abreak from public engagementsover the past two weeks as their three children —Prince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — were off from school on their half-term break. The royal couple traditionallyscale backtheir schedules during school vacations in order to spend more time with their kids.

Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!

But during the break, Kate announced a new patronage: formallysupporting Captain Preet Chandi’s upcoming expeditionacross Antarctica. Chandi, an officer and physiotherapist currently serving in the British Army, hopes to become the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported in a journey of over 1,000 miles.

“My aim for this expedition has always been to inspire people to push their boundaries. I want to bring people on this journey with me, to help them believe that nothing is impossible,” Chandi said in a statement. “It is an absolute privilege to have The Princess of Wales as the Patron.”

source: people.com