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Kate Calls for Empathy on Addiction
24 Nov
Summary
- Princess Kate urges compassion for addiction as a mental health condition.
- She highlights that addiction stigma prevents people from seeking help.
- Over half of UK adults know someone affected by addiction.

Princess Kate has launched a fervent appeal for societal change surrounding addiction, emphasizing it as a mental health condition requiring empathy, not stigma. Speaking ahead of Addiction Awareness Week, she highlighted the persistent fear and judgment faced by individuals battling addiction. Kate's message, shared through her patronage of The Forward Trust, aims to shatter the silence and encourage open dialogue.
She underscored that addiction is not a personal failing but a complex condition often exacerbated by societal shame. The Princess stressed that this stigma allows addiction to thrive in secrecy, impacting families and communities. She called for renewed compassion and support, reminding people that recovery is possible with the right help and that reaching out is a crucial first step.
Her initiative aligns with a recent poll revealing that 53 percent of UK adults have personal experience with addiction or know someone who does. Princess Kate's long-standing advocacy, including her work with The Forward Trust since 2021, aims to reframe addiction with understanding and kindness, ensuring those affected know they are not alone.




