The Duke and Duchess joined frontline staff and counselors this week to talk about the severe impact the pandemic is having on workers’ mental health. 
During Wednesday’s call, the royals learned about mental health support that frontline workers are getting through Hospice UK’s Just ‘B’ counseling and bereavement support line. They spoke with Just ‘B’ counselors Tony Collins (center, middle row) and Caroline Francis (right, middle row) and heard about the immense toll the pandemic is having on frontline staff. Here is a clip from the call.
Bereavement is never easy, especially for frontline workers during these unprecedented times.
It is so important to have services like Just ‘B’, who provide a listening ear for those coping with the loss of colleagues, loved ones, and people they care for. pic.twitter.com/5pmr0IiNDw
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 15, 2021
The situation is dire as healthcare workers try to handle the crush of cases. On Tuesday, The NY Times reported, “As a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus continues to tear through Britain — with an estimated one in 30 people in London currently infected — hospitals are on the verge of being overwhelmed, even as authorities struggle to convince the public of the urgency of the moment.” Below, the London Eye last Thursday night, one of many landmarks lit up in blue as a sign of support for NHS workers. 
This Guardian story helps explain the scope of the problem.
There are now 50% more coronavirus patients in UK hospitals than in April, with Prof Chris Whitty saying this week that the health service faces its worst month of the pandemic.
More than one in seven clinicians and nearly one in five nurses working in ICU reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide, according to the study, published in the journal Occupational Medicine.
More from Kensington Palace.
During the call, NHS staff and emergency responders spoke about their personal experiences with mental health, and how services such as Just ‘B’ have allowed them to cope better and begin to come to terms with their grief. They also acknowledged the need to continue to encourage frontline workers to utilise mental health resources, with stigma preventing staff from seeking support for themselves during such a busy period for health and social care providers and the emergency services.
Hospice UK’s Just ‘B’ support line is available seven days a week from 8am – 8pm. 
The Royal Foundation’s support for the Just ‘B’ service was announced in July. More about the COVID-19 fund from The Royal Foundation:
The Royal Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund is the Foundation’s first crisis response fund, and reinforces The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s ongoing commitment to the frontline community and the nation’s mental health – two of the areas that will continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the months and years ahead. The grants will allow mental health charities to increase their capacity for helpline and chat services to meet rising demand.
Grant monies from the COVID-19 Response Fund have been supplemented by Our Frontline, a collaborative initiative that provides free, round-the-clock resources for all frontline staff and key workers.
UPDATE: With thanks to Elizabeth for the heads-up, a 6-minute video is available online.
Now for a glance at what Kate Wore on Wednesday. 
It looks like she brought back a Smythe blazer first noted at an October 2018 Coach Core engagement. 
The jacket is a wool/linen/nylon blend described as having a “…traditional riding blazer feel.” The piece has a fitted silhouette with angled, oversized pocket flaps, a contrast collar, large leather buttons at the front, and a back vent. 
This will be the third time we have seen the Duchess wearing the jacket; Kate wore it again in November 2019.
I did not see enough of the Duchess’s earrings to ID them. UPDATE JAN 16: I have tried getting screengrabs offering a better look at the earrings but have not been successful enough to venture a guess about the pair. 
I will see you next week with another poll!
Since this blazer doesn’t have the awkward square peekaboo on the bum, I am firmly a fan. And that November 2019 outing is still one of my favorite outfits of hers. The berry pants – swoon!
I like the pulled back hair! But I’ve never liked wearing my hair down with blazers generally. It feels too much like when men’s hair gets too long and brushes their blazer or shirt collar, which I was taught meant they needed a haircut. I wouldn’t be rude about that in public, of course, but I’ve always preferred to have my hair off my collar if I’m wearing one.
In motion the ear rings look like a small gold disc a bit like the All the Falling Stars necklace.
Or even the Kikis she wore Christmas 2011
She’s wearing a lot of makeup. I like the ‘made up’ face with her severely pulled back. Whatever her earrings are they are the right scale for this look. I am in the dislike court for that jacket. Jackets are supposed to button and have room to move in!
But sitting down and close up images hide the shrunken style of this jacket.
I like the blazer with her hair down tied back makes her look old!
I really liked how the duchess paired the blazer with an up do. It is just so very classy.
Such a hard topic handled so well. Kudos to Kate and Will for championing the cause!
I love this jacket and how it looks with this black sweater! I love Smythe jackets in general. I have four and find them very comfortalbe and versatile. I really miss wearing them these days. I dress up every day, but somehow, even for a Zoom meeting, jackets seem odd at home I did wear one of my Smythe jackets for a meeting recently – the last time I’d worn it was right before lockdown and it still had my Claddagh brooch on the lapel from March :-). Thank you for this site and the welcome distraction!
The neat black collar on the Smythe jacket is well showcased by Kate’s smoothed back hair and adds a respectful note with a touch of style for a challenging meeting. This is such a moving project for the Duke and Duchess to engage with, and they do so with aplomb. It continues to be something of a minor miracle that the couple can keep in touch both with their chosen field of interest and with the general public via socially-distant video calls.
I’ve been fond of this jacket on the previous occasions we’ve seen it, and think it pitch-perfect this time. The monochrome plaid is restrained and classy and the overall fit has always looked good on Kate. The crew neck black layer top is a chic choice for an indoor engagement and I like the bold two front buttons with smaller ones at the cuffs, plus the pocket details for a riding jacket vibe.
Kate’s smoky make-up looks particularly attractive and her drop disc earrings are perfectly in proportion with her outfit. It is only frustrating that we are unable to identify them. I have no complaints whatsoever, though, I’m just so grateful we can see Kate again despite the ongoing situation. Thanks so much for the post.
*channel
Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSNNpBwD97U
Catherine looks very professional, but I am a member of the “I don’t like the Smythe jackets club.” The fit and cut always seem odd to me.
There is a a video of more of this call from the Royal Family Chanel. At around 3:30, Catherine turns to look at William, giving a better view of the earrings. I am wondering if a screen grab of that would help identify them. While I do not know how to do that, I’m quite sure Susan or a reader could give it a shot. Not really sure if it will help though.
I so appreciate them highlighting the mental health of the front line workers. As a former educator, my colleagues still working are really struggling, but I simply cannot imagine the grief and trauma of those in the medical world.
Thank you for the word there is a longer video up, Elizabeth. I tried doing more screengrabs but have not been able to get any that show the earring well enough to hazard a gues son the designer/retailers.
I just wanted to mention that Prince William’s own personal experience as a Search and Rescue Helicopter pilot would be appreciated by all the emergency workers at the moment, and his comments hopefully give much influence and help to them at this unprecedented time.
I love Kate’s jacket because I favour jackets as a fashion choice as they can be smart or dressed up casual.
Such an important cause they’re highlighting. The toll the pandemic is taking on people’s mental health – including those brave individuals who have had to work immersed in the misery, fear, and loss every day for nearly a year – is staggering.
The jacket works best this time around. Having her hair up in a professional up-do is a great match with it.
Totally agree on the hair up sentiment. I think this is the best I’ve liked this blazer on her because of it.
I quite like her with her hair pulled back. She has a nicely shaped face and nice features that are sometimes hidden by all that (beautiful) hair.
Those Smythe jackets are difficult to wear for most people because of the very narrow waist, but Kate can wear them well.
As always, the duchess looks professional and not “over the top” styled. Clearly a clear headed young woman
So happy she recycled. She wore this blazer twice before if I’m not mistaken.Looks like she’s wearing earrings .Cant be sure. Looked like sparkly something.
Usually Kate looks better in the outfits than the models do. This time it’s the opposite; the model wears it better. On Kate the sleeves are too short and the jacket looks too small. Not a good look at all.
Self harm and suicide are very real issues. I tried to take my life twice back in 2007 due to severe depression and life circumstances that felt beyond my control and never-ending. Unless you have been that desperate to escape your life situation its hard to imagine the “why.” I have always appreciated Harry and William’s drive for mental health support in the community and I’m thankful both W&K and H&M work toward making this an issue folks can and should talk about. It can literally save a life!
Thank you for commenting, Dawn. I am grateful you are here to speak to the criticality of making mental health support available for everyone.
I am so sorry, Dawn that you were once in such a desperate situation. I’m glad you are now in a better place and can contribute to this community at WKW. Thank you for your brave comment. Be well and happy.
I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad you’re speaking out.
i hardly ever comment but i just want to say THANKYOU for this site! i love love it and think kate always looks beautiful 🙂 can’t wait for another poll next week, i love them. you do an amazing job of covering all of her outfits 🤍
Awww, thank you, Sam! 🤗
Wow, Kate looks beautiful in this blazer. I love the black top underneath, as it matches the contrast collar, and her hair looks very professional up. Very chic, and this is an important issue to call attention to
Heartbreaking. The number of covid cases and the percentage of workers that have thought about suicide or self-harm is just heartbreaking. I’m so glad the United Kingdom’s future king and queen are bringing attention to the crisis.
As an American, between covid, the increase in opioid and suicide deaths and the assault on the U.S. Capital its been an especially traumatic time. That’s why I love this site. It is informative and fun! Can’t wait for the new poll!
The Smythe jacket is professional looking. I liked it best when Kate wore it with a black turtleneck. With a lower neckline on the top, Kate’s hair pulled quite severely back and very small or no earrings, it is a rather bare look. A turtle neck in either black or red would have been better.
When I see the jacket on the model, I am aware of how big the buttons are. They look somewhat out of proportion. I’m not sure if Kate’s buttons are smaller, or if the jacket being open takes the focus away from the buttons. I don’t care for the jacket when it is closed.
Again we salute front line workers everywhere and appreciate the awareness that William and Kate are bringing to their challenges.
I’m appreciating the professional look of this Smythe blazer. I also prefer this blazer with the black turtleneck best.
Incredibly important cause…this pandemic stretches on, with untold damage to so many aspects of life. Mental health is taking a hit…and it’s heartbreaking.
LadyLeah, Back in December when William and Kate were on the train adventure, Kate wore a Maple Leaf tartan scarf with an olive green coat. I gave a bit of history on the tartan and you said you wished you could purchase a Repli-Kate scarf. I sent you a link where you could order one. Did you do this and if so are you happy with it?
Great cause, thoughtful call.
Still not a fan of these Smythe blazers, although at least this one doesn’t have that silly cutout. But it’s still got that shrunken look.