As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, organizations providing online crisis counseling have experienced a collective 40% increase in texter volume in March alone. The data from these conversations demonstrates the mental health impact of the global pandemic:
- Anxiety is the top issue right now. 78% of conversations indicate anxiety, and financial stress is a significant contributor.
- Impoverished people are in acute pain. Currently 32% of texters in the U.S. say that their household income is less than $20K.
- Quarantines are causing hardship as people may be sheltering in place with abusers. In March these hotlines saw a collective 108% increase in conversations indicating emotional abuse, and a 115% increase in conversations indicating physical abuse.
In an effort to help support these organizations and fill this critical gap in the mental health care system, RBC has partnered with Crisis Text Line, Demi Lovato, Virgin Unite, Canadian Family Foundations, and Draper Richards Kaplan to seed a $2 million donation to the Mental Health Fund, with the goal of raising $5 million.
“Physical distancing is tough on everyone, but it's particularly challenging for those who are anxious about reaching out for help. By supporting The Mental Health Fund, RBC is helping make sure resources are available for those struggling with the day-to-day challenges of a more isolated world. We encourage everyone to seek the support they need, when they need it.”
- Dave McKay, President and CEO of RBC
Amidst the uncertainty and pain resulting from COVID-19 and social distancing, crisis text hotlines provide a critical emotional lifeline for people in need. Since 2013, Crisis Text Line and its internal affiliate partners have trained over 30,000 volunteers and exchanged over 150 million messages by text with people struggling with their mental health.
To learn more about The Mental Health Fund or to donate, visit GoFundMe.