It saved a young boy's life!

William And Kate Hear About The Impact Of Mental Health Hotline

On Friday, Prince William and Duchess Kate shared a clip of an emotional conversation they had with the parents of a suicidal young boy. The royals learned that "Jack" was about to take his own life, but instead chose to reach out to a mental health crisis hotline they helped establish. Find out more here!

Prince William and Duchess Kate recently heard about the impact of their mental health text hotline firsthand! On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a clip from a special video call, which saw them talk to the family of a 12-year-old boy whose life had been saved in a last-ditch effort for support.

Kate calls the situation "every parent's worst nightmare"

William and Kate heard the boy's parents talk about how he had become more and more withdrawn during the pandemic, and ended up standing on a bridge with the intent of taking his life. However, the boy— who is being referred to as "Jack" for the purposes of anonymity— made a desperate attempt to reach out, contacting the text-based crisis hotline SHOUT 85258.

"We have no doubt that what happened between our son and SHOUT when he stood on that bridge was enough to save his life," "Jack's" father told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. "I can't imagine as parents ourselves what it's been like for you," Kate said in response, calling the phone call that "Jack's" mother and father received "every parent's worst nightmare."

Duchess Catherine and Prince William meet nurse Suzie Vaughan and daughters Hettie and Bella during their visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 5, 2020.

William shares how the text hotline made a difference

William then listened to "Jack" tell him how being able to text the hotline had made it easier for him to open up about his current emotional state. The young boy said that after getting in touch with SHOUT, he then found himself in a place where he felt okay to contact the police regarding his situation.

The Duke of Cambridge— who has offered his services as a volunteer counselor for SHOUT during lockdown— talked about why the mental health crisis line had been an invaluable resource to "Jack" that night. He explained that it "bridged that gap between a point of crisis and despair and brought him back to give him peace and calm for a time to just work things out and find that support."

Duchess Kate and Prince William gave a rare interview on 'BBC Breakfast' on Friday.

They appeared on 'BBC Breakfast'!

William & Kate Give Rare Interview To Promote New Mental Health Initiative: "Staying Connected Is Crucial"

As People mentions, SHOUT was launched in May of 2019, and has helped more than 265,000 people across the United Kingdom who have reached out in times of crisis. The couple also launched another mental health service last year called Our Frontline, which is dedicated to providing support to first responders during the pandemic.