Providing Critical Resources and Mental Health Services for COVID-19 Relief

By John Thurlow
Published April 21, 2020 | 1 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented test of our collective strength. Now more than ever, we are committed to bring to life our purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are proud to support the United Way and Crisis Text Line with a $500,000 donation to provide critical resources to people and communities in need and mental health services to workers on the front line.

Click here for the press release.

United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, United Way’s 211, a free confidential referral and information helpline and website, has seen 200-400% higher inquiry volume. Millions of people are in need of food, financial assistance, and housing, but community services are struggling to meet the demand. The United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund supports communities by helping local United Ways respond.

Crisis Text Line’s For the Frontlines

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message and has one of the largest mental health data sets in the world with over 150 million messages exchanged since 2013. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, their conversation volume has been 47% above normal, and 78% of all conversations involve anxiety. Health care professionals and essential workers are risking their health every day and are in critical need of fast, free crisis counseling at their fingertips, which is why For the Frontlines was created. For the Frontlines was created to provide them with a dedicated messaging service where they can directly connect with a Crisis Counselor to help them cope with any difficult emotions they are experiencing during coronavirus.

Our thoughts are with our employees, clients and our communities during this unprecedented and difficult time. At this time, more than ever, we are stepping up to engage with our communities and extend relief to those in need in every way we can. We are grateful that our donations will directly support front line medical staff as well as provide food and shelter to families and people who are suffering.

One RBC Approach

Our support of United Way and Crisis Text Line follows previously announced donations by RBC including City National Bank and RBC Wealth Management, totaling over $3 million towards COVID-19 relief in the U.S. We will continue to work with our community partners, subject matter experts, and the public and private sectors to understand and determine where the greatest community needs are and how to continue delivering the right support where it’s needed most.

John Thurlow

John Thurlow
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Capital Markets and U.S. Intermediary Holding Company


COVID-19CommunityCoronavirusMental HealthSocial Impact