Beyoncé Responds To The Coronavirus's Impact On Mental Health With A $6 Million Pledge

In recent weeks, several celebrities have stepped up to help fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation donated $5 million to Direct Relief, Feeding America, and other firms. Lady Gaga raised $35 million in the length of a week for the World Health Agency, and put with each other the One World: With each other At Home benefit concert. Yet those are just two examples of the several celebs who've contributed to COVID-19 relief, and Beyoncé is the latest to follow suit.


According to an official statement on Beyoncé's website, the "Mood 4 Eva" singer's BeyGOOD Foundation is teaming up with Jack Dorsey's #startsmall "to donate $6 million to local community-based businesses, UCLA and the National Alliance in Mental Illness (NAMI) in distributing mental wellness services in Houston, New York, New Orleans and Detroit."


This donation, which focuses on mental health efforts specifically, is separate from the other philanthropic work the structure has been doing while in the crisis. "Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD is supporting companies that are on the ground 24/7," the statement says, listing the United Memorial Center, Bread of Life, and Matthew 25 as some of the companies they're helping to supply generic necessities, including food, water, cleaning supplies, medicines, face masks, and personalized hygiene items."


Yet Beyoncé and BeyGOOD recognize that "void of those generic necessities, mental burdens are also accelerated" while in this period of social distancing. And allocating monetary aid is just one of the several ways the music icon has stepped up in the midst of the pandemic. Days immediately after lifting people's spirits while in the Disney Family member Singalong, she discussed about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities throughout Saturday's (April 18) Together At Home broadcast.


"Communities of color are suffering by epic proportions because of the COVID-19 pandemic," BeyGOOD's statement says. Several families stay in underserved areas with homes that make it harder to practice social distancing. Communities that were already lacking funds for education, health and housing are right now faced with alarming disease rates and fatalities. And these communities lack access to testing and equitable healthcare."


Beyoncé and BeyGOOD are partnering with over 10 different businesses to help do their part throughout this frightening and uncertain time. And we think we can speak for all of us once we thank Beyoncé for not merely doing her part, although for truly creating a difference.