Prince William and Kate Middleton campaigning to help people with mental health challenges
(Picture: REUTERS)Prince William and Kate Middleton told today how solving spy riddle skills can help to address mental health challenges.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge penned a foreword to a new children’s book, Puzzles for Spies, written by espionage and codebreaking experts at Britain’s GCHQ spy listening centre.
Their Royal Highnesses said: “We are delighted that the brilliant minds at GCHQ have been busy working on a third puzzle book, and that this edition is designed for younger readers.”
They added: “Talking openly about mental health can be the first step in removing stigma, fear and isolation.
“Just like at GCHQ, bringing different perspectives together can often be the key to unlocking a solution you can’t quite find on your own.”
Teams of spies, codebreakers, analysts, linguists, engineers, mathematicians and programmers work 24-hours a day at GCHQ to protect Britain against terrorism and other threats.
The espionage chiefs stressed that one of the aims of Puzzles for Spies is to help young readers discover a discipline or role to match their skills and strengths and see the importance of teamwork and a diverse range of minds in achieving a common goal.
GCHQ director Sir Jeremy Fleming added: “While problem solving exercises our brains, it is equally important to take care of our minds.
“Our first two books raised a staggering amount of money for mental health charities and enabled them to do valuable work in communities across the country.
“I’m delighted that through this book we will continue supporting this cause…The work of Their Royal Highnesses has helped many people – including children – be more open about mental health.”
Proceeds from GCHQ’s share of the advance and royalties for the latest book, estimated in the first year to be at least £20,000, will go to The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to support the organisation’s mental health work.
Tom Rawlinson, commissioning editor at the book’s publisher Puffin, said: “Packed full of fiendish puzzles from the brilliant minds at GCHQ, there really is something for everyone.”
The book, costing £9.99, will be published on September 22.
