With movement restrictions and social distancing as a result of lockdown measures, these last couple of months have left many feeling more isolated and lonelier than ever before. But these times have also made us more compassionate towards others and more likely to show appreciation for the efforts of those who have been putting their lives in harm’s way for us.
During Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2020, 85,653 text messages from 85 countries were sent to thank and support crucial frontline workers and people in isolation through a new switchboard called #TextForHumanity.
A first-of-its-kind, Text For Humanity is a free texting platform created by communications company Sinch in partnership with Mental Health America (MHA). The not-for-profit platform uses SMS and makes it easy for anyone with a mobile phone to participate. It also works on Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger, and there’s no charge for the service.
It originally launched in January to combat online negativity and promote the sharing of positive messages. Since that boost of positivity in January, the company and MHA decided to adjust their global texting switchboard so anyone could send a positive message to a stranger or a frontline worker and get one in return.
