a cup of coffee with a heart design on top of it next to newspapers
a cup of coffee with a heart design on top of it next to newspapers
North London NHS Foundation Trust and Arsenal Football Club are teaming up this season to pilot a match day mental health drop-in service at The Arsenal Hub with a particular focus on suicide.
The Premier League have funded 11 clubs to pilot Together Against Suicide during the 2025/26 season with the aim of raising awareness about this important issue and providing a service that offers help to our supporters when they are most in need.
According to research conducted by Samaritans, there were 5,565 suicides registered in England in 2023, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide. Locally, Islington has the second highest rate of rate of diagnosed depression and severe mental illness in London.
How the programme works
A North London NHS Foundation Trust practitioner will be based at The Arsenal Hub every Premier League match day during the 2025/26 season. The practitioner will be on hand to have confidential conversations with supporters in need of help. No appointment is required; supporters can walk into The Arsenal Hub where they will be greeted by staff. The practitioner will also have information available on local services that can be accessed where needed.
The Arsenal Hub is directly next to Emirates Stadium at 56 Benwell Road, N7 7BA. The practitioner will be available two hours before kick-off, during the game and for one hour after the game finishes.
This match-day drop-in service will be available from the Manchester City game on Sunday 21st September.
Arsenal's work
Arsenal in the Community work closely with local services to deliver programmes that aim to have a positive impact on local residents’ mental health.
This programme allows us to build on a partnership with the North London NHS Foundation Trust that began more than 15 years ago and involves us providing two sessions per week to local adults with a mental health diagnosis.
We partner with the Brandon Centre to host a professional counsellor at The Arsenal Hub once per week who supports Arsenal in the Community participants aged 14 to 24 who are experiencing challenges. The Brandon Centre also provide a qualified sports psychologist on our Girls Only PL Kicks sessions who engages with participants and supports them through their teenage years.
We have delivered the Advantage programme in partnership with the NHS to provide mentoring to local young people facing mental health challenges. The programme first started as a response to the challenges facing young people during the Covid-19 pandemic but has continued since due to the level of need.
'Suicide affects people of all ages'
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Sadly, suicide is an issue that affects people of all ages from all backgrounds. We believe football can play a vital role in reducing the stigma around it and connecting fans who are experiencing suicidal thoughts with the support they need.
“By working with clubs and partners to develop ‘Together Against Suicide’, we want fans to understand that they do not have to deal with their problems alone.
“There are many ways for people to have the conversations that can have a positive impact on their mental wellbeing, whether this is by utilising the matchday services that are being launched by clubs this weekend, speaking to family and friends or by contacting Samaritans or other experts in this area for confidential advice.
“This is about using the power of football to help save lives and we urge fans to look after themselves and those they care about.”
As part of the initiative, Samaritans will provide training to club staff to ensure they feel equipped and supported to lead suicide prevention activity with fans. The League is also funding club subscriptions to R;pple , a digital tool that discreetly intercepts harmful online searches and signposts users to free, 24/7 mental health support.
To find out more or seek support, please visit: https://www.arsenal.com/togetheragainstsuicide