THE Duchess of Cambridge is going to launch her own campaign to help disadvantaged kids avoid addiction and mental health issues.

Kate plans to bring together experts to help tackle anti-social behaviour and other problems suffered by Britain’s youth, it has been reported.

The 36-year-old royal feels the issue is as important as climate change, the Daily Mail reports.

One royal source told the Mail: “This is a lifelong project.

“She is looking at what she can do over the next five, ten, 15, 20 years. She wants to be able to look back and see what difference has been made.”

Mum-of-three Kate is passionate about issues facing young people and is “a committed champion of issues related to children’s mental health and emotional well-being.”

The Duchess’ plans come after Education Secretary Damian Hinds said Britain's neediest kids are being badly let down by the system.

In particular he said the poorest children on free school meals and those with special needs are a quarter less likely to be in a steady job aged 27 than their peers.

Speaking last month, Mr Hinds said: "When you’re behind from the start you rarely catch up - the gap just widens.”

Kate’s project will be launched in the New Year and is her first solo initiative.

Previously she worked on schemes with her husband William and brother-in-law Harry, including the Heads Together charity – aimed at tackling the stigma around mental health.

Kate will bring together academics on education and health as well as charities and other experts while working with the Royal Foundation.
The findings of their work are set to published by Kensington Palace next year.