Kate Middleton speaks powerfully about the stigma of mental illness

Although we're making a lot of gains when it comes to the mainstream discussion surrounding mental illness, there's still a long way to go.

Social stigma and common stereotypes are what makes it so important for public figures to speak out about mental health issues -- particularly figures with the clout of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Middleton and her husband Prince William have long been advocates for mental health services, founding the Heads Together campaign back in 2016.

At a recent awareness-raising event for the foundation, Middleton gave a frank speech about stigma and how difficult it can be to seek help when living with the symptoms of mental illness.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"The question that me, William and Harry have asked ourselves is how can we get more people to start talking. How do we encourage people to take the first step?" she said.

"The challenge that so many people have is not knowing how to take that first step of reaching out to another person for help," she said.

"Fear or reticence, or a sense of not wanting to burden another, means that people suffer in silence -- allowing the problem to grow larger and larger unchecked.”

Her sentiments were echoed by her husband, Prince William. "Mental health matters to each and every one of us," he said. "It matters just as much as our physical health."

Good on ya, royals. Way to shed light on a too often ignored subject can affect us all.