Prince William Shares ‘Terrifying’ Experience Volunteering at Mental Health Helpline

Prince William has opened up about his daunting experience while volunteering for a mental health helpline during the pandemic, US Weekly reported. On March 6, he discussed his role during a royal engagement. As the Prince of Wales, he reflected on working with Shout, a free text messaging mental health support service. This initiative was promoted by William alongside Princess Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle in 2019.

"I volunteered for a bit back during Covid, and some conversations stayed with me long afterward," said William during his visit to Mental Health Innovations (MHI). This organization was established through the Royal Foundation of William and Kate and launched Shout, as reported by The Independent. He pondered, "Did I give enough, did I do enough, did I find the right answer?"

"The first conversation was quite terrifying," he admitted when sharing his experience.

William’s visit coincided with the recent merger between MHI and The Mix, the leading U.K. support service for young people. During this visit, he engaged with MHI's youth advisory board and celebrated Shout reaching three million conversations since its inception. A press release to Us Weekly highlighted this milestone.

A spokesperson for the Prince of Wales shared insights via Instagram, stating, "A closer look at the future of mental health support shows how it's empowered by young voices, data, and AI technology at Mental Health Innovations." They emphasized the transformative impact of the merger between Shout and The Mix, stating, "An inspiring group of young volunteers is driving real change. This merger ensures that even more young people receive life-changing help when they need it most."

The message continued with details on utilizing the text messaging service: "If you need support, you are not alone. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free, 24/7 confidential help."

Reflecting on this initiative's journey, William stated, "Catherine and I — and I know I speak for Harry and Meghan — couldn’t be prouder of what Shout has achieved and what more lies ahead." This sentiment was shared during a speech at Shout’s crisis volunteer celebration event in 2019.

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