The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have backed a new mental health initiative for key workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Frontline offers round-the-clock support and specialised support to those who work in health, emergency services, social care, or key workers in other industries, to ensure that they receive mental health care and support.
“Leading mental health organisations have come together to provide, for the first time, a single service to support the millions of key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure as they form our frontline against the coronavirus,” Our Frontline’s website reads.
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will back Our Frontline.
The new service will provide “a round-the-clock service so that we can be there for key workers, whenever and wherever they need us for support with their mental health and emotional wellbeing,” and is supported by Shout, Mind, Hospice UK, and Samaritans, in addition to backing from the Royal Foundation.
“By combining our services, we are able to offer practical, non-judgemental support with problems ranging from feeling overwhelmed or stressed through to coping with the bereavement of a colleague or family member.”
In a statement to coincide with its launch, William said that Our Frontline will become his and Catherine’s “top priority for the months ahead.”
William also said, “Over the past few weeks, millions of frontline workers across the UK have put their physical and mental health on the line to protect us all during the Coronavirus pandemic
“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. That takes a real toll, and as I’ve seen for myself through my work with the Air Ambulance, without the right support at the right time the challenges they face will only be greater.
“Catherine and I, together with The Royal Foundation, will do all we can to support Our Frontline.”
This new initiative comes as the Duke of Cambridge held a roundtable call withrepresentatives from NHS England and NHS Improvement, the Faculty of Pre Hospital Care, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Royal College of Surgeons and charities including Mind, Lifelines Scotland, The Fire Fighters Charity, Police Care UK and The Ambulance Staff Charity to discuss how Our Frontline can support the mental health of emergency and key workers.
