From one mother to another: Kate makes first appearance since her pregnancy announcement as she urges parents to teach their children how to be open about their feelings

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The Duchess of Cambridge has made her first appearance since her pregnancy announcement in a charity video about children's mental health.   

Kate, who has been forced to take a break from public duties due to morning sickness, today launched the 'You're never too young to talk mental health' campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

In a video recorded in January, several months before she is believed to have fallen pregnant, Kate urged parents to encourage their children to be 'open about their feelings'. 

Donning a £1,600 Eponine blue coat, the well-spoken duchess also called on people to speak out when they have feelings that are 'too big to manage on our own'. 

The Duchess of Cambridge has said that parents should encourage children to be open about their feelings in a candid video message she recorded for a new charity campaign 

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The campaign, which aims to promote mental health awareness in schools, includes a video introduction from Kate, which she recorded on a visit to the Child Bereavement UK Centre in East London in January this year. 

Discussing the campaign, Kate, who is soon-to-be a mother-of-three, said: 'As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible start in life. 

'Encouraging children to understand and be open about their feelings can give them the skills to cope with the ups and downs that life will throw at them as they grow up.

'It's important that our children understand that emotions are normal, and that they have the confidence to ask for help if they are struggling. 

'This is why I am proud to support the "You're never too young to talk mental health" campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, which is being rolled out across primary schools this autumn.

'The campaign's resources are excellent tools to support parents. They demonstrate how we can help children express their feelings, respond appropriately, and prevent small problems from snowballing into bigger ones.'

Pregnant Kate, pictured with her children and husband in Warsaw in July, launched the 'You're never too young to talk mental health' campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

The campaign kicks off with an animation co-produced by children and teachers, which is accompanied by free teaching materials designed to help children learn the life-long skills to help them talk about 'big' and 'small' feelings, and how to listen to their friends when they need to talk.

A leaflet to help parents and carers start conversations with their children about mental health is also published today.

Every primary school in the England will receive a downloadable teaching resource pack this week, including assembly and lesson plans to enable them to use the animation in school for World Mental Health Day. 

Discussing the campaign, Professor Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of AFNCFC said: 'One of the most effective things we can do is to give children the language they need to discuss mental health and encourage them to have open conversations at home and at school. 

'Helping children identify problems that they or their friends are having is the first step towards resolving those problems. And if we can help children who are struggling with their feelings or experiences, they will be happier and perform better at school.

In the video, which was recorded in January, Kate (pictured here on her last royal engagement in August) encourages people to speak out when they have feelings that are 'too big to manage on our own'

She also says that 'it's important that our children understand that emotions are normal' during the video message

'We have identified 9-11 year olds because they are at a crucial point in their lives when they are preparing for transition to secondary school and on the cusp of adolescence. With the backing of schools and parents together we can help them manage these and other challenges they face with greater confidence and prevent any problems from escalating.'

Kate visited the centre earlier this year and while she may have a full-time live-in nanny and a mother who gives her plenty of help with Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, Kate suggested it still wasn't easy bringing up a family.

After listening to the stories of a group of mothers who have been through problems such as a family history of abuse and addiction, she admitted that 'Parenting is tough'.  

She added: 'And with the history and all the things and the experiences you've all witnessed, to do that on top of your own anxieties, and the lack of support you also received as mothers...I find it extraordinary how you've managed actually. So really well done.'

She visited the unit to learn more about its work with families who have children under five that are at risk of being taken into care.

 Kate visited the Anna Freud centre earlier this year, admitting that 'parenting is tough' 

Visting the centre in January with Prince William, she listened to the stories of a group of mothers who have been through problems such as a family history of abuse and addiction

Kate and William were forced to make an early pregnancy announcement a fortnight ago because the Duchess has again been suffering again with severe morning sickness. 

She has been struck down with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), which affects just one per cent of pregnancies and is a complication that causes excessive nausea and vomiting.

The Duchess sadly had to miss Prince George's first day of school because of the condition. 

However, her husband, Prince William, told well-wishers that she was 'doing well' during a visit to Liverpool earlier this month.

He also appeared to let slip at the time that Kate was 11 weeks along. This would mean her baby's due date would be March next year. 

Kate, along with William and Prince Harry, are known to be passionate about raising the profile of mental health. She is pictured during a visit to The Anna Freud Centre back in 2015