Latest news with #MentalHealthInnovations
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
South Yorkshire mental health text support scheme launched
A new service has been launched in South Yorkshire offering urgent mental health support by text partnership between NHS South Yorkshire and digital mental health service Shout, created by the Mental Health Innovations charity, will offer free support 24 hours a charity said it would help patients access anonymous and confidential help without having to wait for a face-to-face or telephone South Yorkshire chief medical officer Dr David Crichton said: "We know that some people are uncomfortable seeking face-to-face support for mental health issues, so the option to have a text conversation encourages more people to reach out for help." The service is accessible by texting "EYUP" to the given phone number, an idea by Sheffield-based children and young people charity Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, said: "By offering Shout as part of the ICB's [integrated care board] range of services, we can help take the pressure off face-to-face and phone services, while ensuring that people in distress can access urgent support."We know that reaching out for help can be difficult, and texting provides an accessible and discreet way for individuals to seek help whenever they need it." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal News Roundup: A Pregnancy Announcement, Meghan Markle's New Podcast & More
Meghan Markle made a huge career announcement and revealed that she's launching a new podcast. The Duchess of Sussex shared details about the three shows that she and her husband like to watch. Markle surprised followers with a series of personal photos on Instagram, and one picture in particular showed a touching moment between Prince Harry and their daughter, Lilibet. Netflix renewed Markle's show, With Love, Meghan, for season two just days after the first episodes were released. In an episode of With Love, Meghan, Markle revealed that she changed her last name to 'Sussex.' The Duchess of Sussex also shared details about Prince Harry's cooking skills and admitted that he's especially good at making a specific meal. Kin Cheung /Prince William paid a visit to Mental Health Innovations (or 'MHI') and posed for a mysterious portrait that low-key resembles an optical illusion. The Prince of Wales traveled to Dorset to celebrate a new housing project in southern England and broke royal protocol when a college student asked for a hug. The royal family announced that Prince William will embark on a solo trip to Estonia on March 20. Kate Middleton joined her husband for the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Throughout the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales looked relaxed and at ease as they showed rare PDA. I noticed a major shift in Princess Catherine's body language, especially when compared to recent photos. When King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the church, the Princess of Wales did a deep curtsy as a sign of William proved that he's just as passionate about his favorite soccer team as any die-hard fan. The Prince of Wales learned more about the training course at Sporting Khalsa FC and even tried his hand at refereeing a football (or 'soccer') scrimmage. Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess of Wales will attend the St. Patrick's Day parade at Wellington Barracks. The royal family posted a surprising video of King Charles performing CPR on a medical test mannequin during his visit to the Royal College of Nursing in London. The monarch's body language spoke volumes about his interest in interacting with the cadets. King Charles released a playlist, titled 'The King's Music Room,' in honor of Commonwealth Day, and it included a few surprising songs (like Beyoncé's 2003 hit 'Crazy In Love'). Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark embarked on a state visit to Finland. They were so unrecognizable, they nearly passed as locals. Princess Beatrice's stepson, Wolfie, looked so grown up in rare photos shared by Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's ex-fiancé, Dara Huang. In a recent interview, Zara Tindall shared all the deets on her classic sharp style, including the one royal family member she gets all her fashion inspiration from The palace shared a gorgeous photo of Queen Camilla sitting alone, and her body language speaks volumes. Princess Eugenie and Zara stepped out for day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Not only did they turn the outing into a double date, but they also wore coordinating outfits. The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, and his wife, Olivia Henson, announced that they're expecting their first child together. Buckingham Palace posted highlights from previous visits to Commonwealth nations, including a striking photo of the king and queen. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here. A New Kate Middleton Photo Dropped—And My Eye Went Straight to the Surprise on Her Ring Finger
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Prince William Discusses His "Terrifying" Volunteering Experience From 2020
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Prince William has detailed a "terrifying" volunteering experience he had in 2020. On March 6, Prince William visited the Mental Health Innovations (MHI) charity in London. During the visit, the Prince of Wales discussed the first time he volunteered at a mental health crisis helpline for young people. William explained, via The Independent, "I did volunteering for a some of those conversations lived with me for quite a long time afterwards, and you always say to yourself, 'Did I give enough, did I do enough, did I find the right answer?'" Reflecting on the experience, Prince William noted, "The resource thing is really important because when you're in a mental health crisis, the last thing you want to do is read more stuff." As for his very first session volunteering, the Prince of Wales said, "The first one was quite terrifying." Prince William, Princess Kate, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry launched Shout, a mental health texting service, in 2019. At the time, the Prince of Wales said (via The Guardian), "As texting is private and silent, it opens up a whole new way to find help." He continued, "You can have a conversation anywhere, at anytime: at school, at home, anywhere." Princess Kate explained, "It's able to offer support when it is crucially needed and the opportunity to turn lives around. This really is an important step for those desperately in need." While launching the service, Prince William addressed how challenging volunteering can be. "[Volunteering] is not for are some very difficult conversations," he explained (via The Guardian). "You need to be able to listen without judgment on a range of issues from suicidal thoughts to bullying, abuse, sexuality, self-harm, and relationships."
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
William sees how text messages can save young lives
A support service that lets young people text for help when they're in an emergency mental health crisis has now had three million conversations, with two thousand messages arriving each Prince of Wales visited the project in west London which provides 24/7 free text message support for young people who might be having suicidal thoughts, but who would be unlikely to pick up a phone to Shout service responds to emergency messages seeking help, which might come in emojis and text speak, and often late at the volunteers staffing this service, which is designed to be accessible for a digital generation, is Ben West, whose brother Sam took his own life in 2018. "How amazing is it, from my point of view, after what Sam went through and losing Sam, to be able to sit there and tell someone texting they're not on their own any more," said Ben, who is one of 2,000 current volunteers responding to texts to "Shout 85258"."We're going to come up with a plan together, and we can spend some time chatting and we can get you to a place where you're more in control."I've had conversations where people have told me something they've never told anybody else before in their lives. It's a privilege to be on the other end of that."Prince William met Ben and other young advisers to the project, hearing about helping young people who might have been reluctant to try other mental health services."Young people much prefer to talk via text, it's become their language anyway... they find it much more accessible and much less intimidating to text someone than speak on the phone," said Ben. The Shout helpline was launched in 2018 by Mental Health Innovations, a charity set up by the Royal Foundation, reflecting the prince's longstanding interest in mental health, having helped set up the Heads Together William was himself a volunteer on the text helpline, after receiving training, during the Covid pandemic, saying his first shift was "terrifying"."Some of those conversations lived with me for quite a long time afterwards, and you always say to yourself, 'Did I give enough, did I do enough, did I find the right answer?'" said Prince William."It's more than just a text line, it's life saving," said the prince. He was told that on 35,000 occasions emergency services had intervened directly when people getting in touch seemed to be in imminent text message helpline makes it easier for those already struggling to share their feelings. "Sam, my brother, was really embarrassed about his diagnosis of depression, for him it felt like a flaw and something to hide," said Ben, who since his brother's suicide has campaigned to improve mental health are other at-risk groups who can also use the service, who might otherwise be reluctant to speak about their feelings, including middle-aged men. Victoria Hornby, chief executive of Mental Health Innovations, said there has been an increase in the "severity" of the problems faced by those seeking help, since the scheme was first launched in percentage of messages from people with suicidal thoughts has risen from 25% to 37%, she said,Among the other reasons for getting in touch was about low mood, stress, relationship problems, self-harming, loneliness and issues such as body image or tensions about has also been a significant increase in calls for help from a younger age group, those aged 13 and under, which she said seemed to be part of a growing sense of anxiety and pressure on children's night is the single busiest time for calls, she said, reflecting the pressures people feel before going into the new week, whether at school, college or a moment when a text message exchange, away from other people, can be the way to get help, she said: "You can't be overheard. For some people having to say out loud things that are incredibly difficult, that can stop people from reaching for help."The text helpline is merging with another support service aimed at young people, the Mix, and there is an aim for a wider range of support services, including peer-to-peer mentoring and William spoke of the importance of support after that initial contact and education services to help people before their problems are too overwhelming."Prevention is really important, before things go spiralling down," he said.A report into the project by Imperial College London said such digital services could help tackle the waiting times for help with mental health problems, with 1.5 million waiting for treatment, including 100,000 children and young report said that two thirds of those who had got in touch with Shout had felt calmer from the exchange. "We've saved lives. It's an amazing feeling. I just wish this service existed when Sam needed it, someone like me, to talk to. Had that existed then who knows what might have happened," said Ben.
