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£36.95The Shout service, a support system that allows young people to text for help during mental health crises, has reached a milestone of three million conversations, receiving around 2,000 messages daily. Prince William recently visited the initiative in west London, which offers free 24/7 text message support to young individuals facing various issues, including suicidal ideation, who may hesitate to call for help. The service, catering to the digital generation, responds to emergency messages, some arriving in emojis and text language, often during late hours.
Ben West, a volunteer with Shout, shared that helping individuals through text conversations holds personal significance for him after his brother, Sam, died by suicide in 2018. He emphasized the privilege of assisting individuals who feel comfortable sharing their thoughts over text, many expressing deeply personal experiences for the first time. Prince William interacted with Ben and other young advisors, gaining insights into the effectiveness of the service in reaching out to individuals who may have reservations about traditional mental health support options.
Launched in 2018 by Mental Health Innovations, the Shout helpline operates under the Royal Foundation, reflecting Prince William’s enduring dedication to mental health causes. The prince himself volunteered on the text support line during the Covid-19 pandemic, acknowledging the profound impact of the conversations on him. The service has played a crucial role in intervening in emergencies, with around 35,000 instances of direct involvement by emergency services when individuals seemed to be at immediate risk.
Victoria Hornby, the chief executive of Mental Health Innovations, noted an increase in the severity of issues faced by those seeking help since the inception of the service. The percentage of messages related to suicidal thoughts has risen, alongside concerns about low mood, stress, relationship difficulties, and more. She highlighted a notable uptick in younger age groups, particularly those aged 13 and below, facing heightened anxiety and pressures. The service has evolved to address varying mental health needs, including merging with the support service, the Mix, to offer a wider array of assistance, such as peer-to-peer mentoring and counseling
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