Prince Harry visited the Big White Wall in London yesterday, an online mental health service which looks after ex-servicemen and their families.
Harry was asked to help fill a £200,000 funding gap for an online mental health counselling service for underprivileged military families.
Prince Harry at Big White Wall, which supports former military personnel with mental health issues (Kensington Palace)
The fifth-in-line to the throne praised the support provided to service families and veterans by the Big White Wall, which offers counselling and remote therapy to those who suffer from a range of problems including anxiety, depression, stress, early stages of alcoholism, and even the transition to civilian life after the forces. Anyone over 16 can access their services online, anonymously.
PRINCE HARRY IN NEWCASTLE WITH MARATHON RUNNERS
This continues Prince Harry’s work with the Armed Forces and mental health, two causes championed by the Royal Foundation. The organisation is also the military aspect of the Head’s Together campaign to end stigma surrounding mental health.
During the visit, Harry was taken through the online services of Big White Wall with a live demonstration in his London office.
He said: “I love this. I might sign up for it myself.” Prince Harry, 33, left the Army in the summer of 2015 after 10 years service.
The Prince then met service doctors who deliver their projects and hear more about the work of the organisation, as well as hearing stories of those helped by the organisation.
Big White Wall employs 20 people who act as ‘Wall Guides’ 24/7, trained professionals who guide those who are anxious, down or not coping, online. The service helps 40,000 people across the UK, including about 7,000 of the military and their families,. The charity works with the Ministry of Defence, the NHS and charity Help for Heroes, and their contract looks like it will be renewed on March 31st.
Prince Harry chats with Big White Wall staff in London (Kensington Palace)
But the service revealed that only Help for Heroes had agreed to renew its share of a third of the £300,000 annual contract and it is unclear as to whether the Ministry of Defence and the NHS will find £100,000 each to maintain the specific service for veterans and families.
