Prince William, Kate Middleton Donate $2.3 Million To Support Mental Health Of Frontline Workers

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s foundation has granted almost £1.8 million ($2.3 million) toward mental health work.

The couple’s Royal Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund is supporting 10 organizations that are working toward helping the frontline workers affected by the pandemic, which includes providing them with individual grief trauma counseling.

Earlier this week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met mental health counsellors and emergency responders from these organizations and spoke to them about the impact on mental health.

"Over recent months we have all been in awe of the incredible work that frontline staff and emergency responders have been doing in response to COVID-19. But we know that for many of them, their families, and for thousands of others across the UK, the pandemic will have a lasting impact on their mental health," Middleton said during the chat, Express UK reported.

"It's great to hear how the Royal Foundation is supporting you and many others to build resilience and give you the networks you need through its COVID-19 Response Fund, which will help 10 leading charities continue their crucial work," Prince William added.

Blue Light, a project from mental health charity Mind, is one of the organizations being funded by foundation. With the help of the funds, the organization will be able to support over 250,000 frontline workers by providing them with mental health resources.

"We are delighted to be receiving this funding from The Royal Foundation. The grant will go a long way in enabling us to continue to provide support to those working in the emergency services, through our Blue Light Programme. It is so important, perhaps now more than ever, that the right information, advice, peer support services and training is easily accessible for our hardworking key workers, especially those of us who might be experiencing poor mental health," Paul Farmer, Mind's chief executive officer, said, Express UK reported.

The Duke and Duchess are currently isolating themselves in Sandringham Estate with their three children. Speaking to BBC in April, Middleton opened up about how her family has been coping up with the pandemic.

"It’s been ups and downs, like a lot of families self-isolating. George is much older than Louis is and things, but they are aware, I’m always surprised. And although you don’t want to scare them and make it too overwhelming, I think it is appropriate to acknowledge it in the simple ways and age-appropriate ways," she told BBC.