Coronavirus: William and Kate voice ad highlighting where to find mental health help

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have voiced a new advert, highlighting where people can find mental health support during the coronavirus crisis.

The short film, which will be broadcast on television from Monday, promotes Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters website.

The online platform, which was launched last year, now includes new advice focused on how people can look after their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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It has been updated after research from the Office for National Statistics found that more than 80% Britons are worried about the effect that coronavirus is having on their life, with over half saying it was affecting their well-being and nearly half reporting high levels of anxiety.

The film narrated by the Duke and Duchess shows how a range of families and individuals have been affected by COVID-19 and aims to reassure people that support is available for everyone.

Talking about the need to specifically help NHS staff who are supporting patients every day, Prince William said: “A lot of these patients are dying with no family members around them.

“I think for the NHS frontline workers that is very difficult, because they are there right next to the bedsides, looking after and caring for each and every patient in a critical condition, and I think they take away that pain and that sometimes that fear and loneliness that these patients have to go through.

“They’re the ones who have to absorb that and then take it home to their families and I think again.

“I’ve spoken about the attrition and the daily attrition rate happening to somebody is not normal, and we’re not superhuman – any of us – so to be able to manage those emotions and that feeling is going to take some time.”

Kate said the crisis has undoubtedly made the country appreciate even more the sacrifices made by medical staff every day.

She said: “I think what we’re seeing now is the NHS and the frontline workers doing the most extraordinary job and that’s really come to the forefront in the last few weeks and I think it’s going to dramatically change how we all value and see our frontline workers.

“And I think that is one of the main positives that you can take from this.

“They do an extraordinary job, that is unrecognised daily and now I think all of us as a nation can really see how hard they work and how vital their work is.”

The Every Mind Matters website includes support for specific mental well-being issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping.

The website also suggests activities that can be helpful, including mindful breathing exercises.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: William and Kate voice ad highlighting where to find mental health help