andrew parsons / kensington palace
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
On Thursday afternoon, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Prince William launched On Your Side, a new toolkit aimed at making suicide prevention “as much a part of sport as warm-up, training and performance”.
The initiative was unveiled at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, where the Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by leading figures from across British sport who are backing the campaign, including Dame Kelly Holmes, Gabby Logan and Sir Jason Kenny.
Co-produced with the British Standards Institution (BSI) and mental-health charity Chasing the Stigma, the toolkit is designed to help people across the sporting world recognise warning signs, start conversations with people who are struggling and connect them with professional support. It will be available through Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest mental-health directory, and is grounded in a five-step process: G, Get ready; O, Open the conversation; A, Ask the question; L, Listen and respond; and S, Support and signpost.
“We are calling for a commitment to create environments where people feel able to speak openly,” the Prince told the gathered crowd during the event. “Where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength. And where support is never out of reach.”
The toolkit was inspired by a study by The Royal Foundation that identified the areas in which sporting organisations across the UK are currently ill-equipped for suicide prevention, finding that help and expertise was often “siloed, inconsistent and unevenly resourced”, particularly in the case of grassroots clubs, which often rely on volunteers who have not been given clear guidance. That being said, the toolkit is designed to be used by clubs all the way up the sporting pyramid.
On Your Side aims to give non-clinicians the language they need to properly look after their colleagues’ welfare, and provide clear escalation and signposting routes to help guide people towards specialist help. As well as preventative advice, it also helps organisations to support people after a suicide has taken place.
the prince and princess of wales
The Prince and Princess of Wales.
According to the mental-health charity Mind, one in four adults have experienced suicidal thoughts, while one in 13 have attempted to take their own lives at some point.
“We are hugely encouraged that organisations across the sporting landscape are already stepping forward," William continued. "Many represented in this room today are making commitments to adopt and champion this work. We want to thank you for your leadership. But this cannot stop with those present.”
As part of the campaign, England and Bayern Munich footballer Harry Kane, boxer Carl Frampton, basketball star Kofi Josephs, Saracens rugby player Rochelle “Rocky” Clark, kickboxer Ruqsana Begum and retired jockey George Baker appear in a new short film, showcasing ways that important conversations around mental health can be approached in a sporting context. You can watch it below:
The campaign builds on the Prince’s earlier mental-health initiative, Heads Up, launched in 2019 to encourage men and football fans to speak more openly about emotional wellbeing. The FA, Premier League, Team GB and British Cycling are among the organisations that have pledged to implement the On Your Side toolkit.
“Reaching out is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength,” the Prince continued. “Whether it is a friend, a family member, a teammate, a coach, or a professional service, please take that first step and reach out to someone you trust.
“Because your life matters. And help is there. So our challenge to everyone here today is this: make suicide prevention part of your game plan.”
If you're suffering, you can find support from Samaritans on 116 123 from any phone at any time, samaritans.org or Mind 0300 123 3393, mind.org.uk
Video poster
Video poster