*Britain’s’ fab four, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are supporting a new mental health initiative in the U.K. through the launch of Shout, an affiliate of Crisis Text Line that offers free, confidential mental health support via text, PEOPLE reports.
According to a press release from Kensington Palace, the service will provide 24/7 assistance to anyone experiencing mental health problems,
Harry and Meghan working with William and Kate comes amid rumors about possible feuds within the Royal family
“We are incredibly excited to be launching this service, knowing it has the potential to reach thousands of vulnerable people every day,” the royals said in a statement. “Over the last few months Shout has started working quietly behind the scenes. We have all been able to see the service working up close and are so excited for its future.”
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The statement continued: “At the heart of this service will be an incredible national volunteer community, one which needs to grow to allow us to support more people in crisis. We hope that many more of you will join us and be part of something very special.”
Crisis Text Line has been in the U.S. for over five years, and with the help of 5,000 trained crisis volunteers, the company has reportedly processed 100 million messages.
Nancy Lublin, the CEO and founder of Crisis Text Line dished with PEOPLE about why the royal family is the perfect partner for the U.K. initiative.
“They’re really the first celebrities around the world to really take on mental health,” Lublin says. “It’s been so personal and they’ve done such a fantastic job elevating the issue and reducing stigma.”
She added, “They’ve visited our offices multiple times in the U.K., they’ve met with volunteers — which is so special. They’ve really been very hands-on.”
Lublin also noted that “I think it’s so powerful. We really couldn’t ask for better spokespeople and champions. Mental health is the epidemic of this generation.”
As we previously reported, Harry and Oprah have teamed for a series of documentaries focused on mental health for Apple as co-creators and co-executive producers.
“I truly believe that good mental health — mental fitness — is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self,” Harry said in an announcement on the @sussexroyal Instagram page.
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