Prince William was all smiles following news that the text messaging mental health support service, Shout, recently hit three million conversations.
Shout is the UK’s first 24-hour messaging support for those facing mental health issues. It was was setup in 2019 with the backing of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Royal Foundation.
On Thursday, William visited Mental Health Innovations which is behind Shout. They recently merged with another charity, The Mix, as they look to combine their resources and provide data-driven analysis and expertise to help those with mental health issues in the country.
William spoke with young volunteers from Mental Health Innovation’s Youth Advisory Board shortly after arriving, and was told that the board has helped in the development of a free, 24/7 mental health support that will reach millions of young people.
William has helped the cause
Back in 2019, William said he would train as a volunteer and he’s even anonymously taken calls and offered advice.
During COVID, Shout hit its first anniversary which prompted William and Kate to make a video call and celebrate the volunteers for the work they did.
“You guys are the trailblazers, you have been doing a fantastic job keeping Shout moving forward, so well done and thank you for all your hard work; we really appreciate it,” William told them.
Then in 2021, the royal couple shared a video call with the parents of a 12-year-old boy who had been suffering from severe anxiety. On the brink of ending his life, the boy then turned to Shout, which helped in getting him off the bridge he was standing on.
“We have no doubt that what happened between our son and SHOUT when he stood on that bridge was enough to save his life,” the boy’s father told William and Kate in a video call.
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