As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect people’s health and wellbeing, Kate Middleton and Prince William have announced an inspiring new mental health initiative for frontline workers. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge understand the unique strain these essential members of society face and, as such, they’ve organized a network of mental health experts to provide “around the clock mental health support” to those who risk so much every day for the greater good.
The Cambridges have made it clear that their top priority right now is looking out for those who are effectively looking out for everyone else. In recent weeks, that has included participating in video calls with frontline staff, volunteers and their families. Now, the royal couple is throwing their weight behind an aspirational new initiative. Taking to the official Kensington Royal Instagram account on Wednesday morning, Kate and William announced a platform called “Our Frontline.”
The initiative is a collaboration between four UK charities — Mind, Samaritans, Shout and Hospice UK — to offer 24/7 mental health support to frontline workers. Explained Kate and William, “Each of these organisations will be providing expertise in their relative field, to support the extraordinary people on the frontline responding to COVID-19 in the UK, and supporting the mental health sector as it responds to the immediate and long-term mental health consequences of the pandemic.”
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What does that really mean? “Trained volunteers will be on hand, by call or text, as well as specially developed online resources, toolkits, and advice to support the frontline community’s mental health through this challenging time,” wrote the Cambridges.
Elaborating on their motivation for getting involved with the initiative, William pointed to the fact that frontline workers shoulder the burden of added worry so others don’t have to. “Over the past few weeks, millions of frontline workers from across the UK have put their physical and mental health on the line to protect us all during the Coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “Every day they confront traumatic situations at the same time as having to contend with their own worries about the risks to themselves and their families. Catherine and I, together with The Royal Foundation, will do all we can to support our frontline.”
Although the Cambridges’ “Our Frontline” initiative is UK-specific, one can only hope that it will inspire similar efforts to spring up globally. With the novel coronavirus continuing to spread, our frontline workers will need all the support they can get during this unprecedented time.
Before you go, see 100 of the best photos of the royal family from the past two decades.
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