Kate and William launch mental health hotline for frontline workers

It isn’t a stretch to imagine that nearly all of us are feeling some degree of mental and emotional stress these days but it’s frontline healthcare workers—from doctors and nurses to cleaners and ambulance drivers—who are bearing the brunt of the peripheral damage inflicted by COVID-19. And while their foremost concerns are likely related to their physical health and safety, the mental health of these essential service workers is at risk as well. The lockdown has left people without access to traditional mental health services (or the time to access them in a consistent way) and the issue has come to the attention of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who’ve stepped up to support healthcare workers with a new initiative.Following last year’s launch of Shout, a free and confidential text-based mental health hotline that was a collaboration between the Cambridges and the Sussexes, Kate and William have announced their official Royal Foundation support for Our Frontline. The new service will operate as a 24-hour-a-day hotline accessible by phone or by text and will be staffed by trained volunteers ready to field calls and messages from frontline workers who are experiencing mental distress and need someone to listen.[video_embed id='1941901']Bell is giving back to healthcare workers in a big way[/video_embed]In an official statement posted to the Kensington Palace Twitter account, Prince William voiced support and admiration for the U.K.’s essential workers, people making major sacrifices simply by showing up to do their jobs.

Today @MindCharity, @Samaritans, @GiveUsAShout, @HospiceUK, and The Royal Foundation have come together to provide round-the-clock mental health support to frontline workers with one-to-one support. pic.twitter.com/4lczAW5NwE

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 22, 2020

Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, William’s little brother and his wife have been doing the rounds in Los Angeles, quietly dropping off meals for neighbours in need. Harry and Meghan Markle suited up (yes, that is a Suits pun) in gloves and masks to bring food to L.A. residents whose immune systems are compromised and are therefore at a greater risk of becoming seriously sick from the Coronavirus.Keep up the good work, Royals.[video_embed id='1941915']BEFORE YOU GO: Harry and Meghan's first sighting in L.A.[/video_embed]