Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made an exciting announcement!
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to discuss the launch of Shout, a new, free text messaging helpline that supports people experiencing a mental health issues.
Today in the UK, a critical new 24/7 text helpline has launched - @giveusashoutinsta This free text messaging helpline is a private, silent and trusted way, for those experiencing mental health challenges to find a safe space to seek help and support. This is an extension of the @heads_together initiative backed by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Earlier last year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began supporting this vital program behind the scenes by hosting a meeting at Kensington Palace with contributors and partners. Last November, Their Royal Highnesses also made a surprise visit to meet with a group of Shout volunteers, and participated in a panel with mental health activist @bryonygordon hearing firsthand how the volunteers have found making the connection with vulnerable texters, a majority of whom are under 25, so rewarding - helping to get them through a moment of crisis to a calmer place, and giving them courage to find longer-term support. Powered by a team of trained volunteers, Shout has already quietly enlisted and trained 1,000 volunteers over the last 12 months, whom in turn have helped 60,000 people. SHOUT is modeled on @crisistextline in the US, which since 2013 has processed more than 100 million messages, Shout is the largest initiative of The Royal Foundation to date, in partnership with @heads_together. Tapping into the UK's volunteer community, Shout aims to recruit 3,000 additional volunteers by the end of the year. Mobilizing a volunteer community with this innovative use of technology will go a long way in helping people get the critical help they need, often in the darkest of times, when those are privately and silently suffering and afraid to seek help. To sign up to volunteer, visit www.giveusashout.org Be the change you wish to see in the world.
“Today in the UK, a critical new 24/7 text helpline has launched - @giveusashoutinsta” read the Instagram post.
“This free text messaging helpline is a private, silent and trusted way, for those experiencing mental health challenges to find a safe space to seek help and support.”
The proud new parents also discussed the work that went into the launch.
“Earlier last year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began supporting this vital program behind the scenes by hosting a meeting at Kensington Palace with contributors and partners.”
“Last November, Their Royal Highnesses also made a surprise visit to meet with a group of Shout volunteers, and participated in a panel with mental health activist @bryonygordon hearing firsthand how the volunteers have found making the connection with vulnerable texters”.
On Monday Meghan and Harry welcomed a son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
"I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this early morning," new dad Harry told the press. "A very healthy boy. Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I can ever have possibly imagined."
"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension," he continued. "But we're both absolutely thrilled, and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. It's been amazing. So we just wanted to share this with everybody."
You might also enjoy:
