Prince William has called the sports world to make suicide prevention part of its "game plan", enlisting the help of some of the UK’s biggest sports stars to unveil a new resource to support his mission.
The heir to the throne has brought together England football captain Harry Kane and Formula One driver George Russell, among others, to urge people to speak openly about the issue and help break the stigma.
William will launch the new toolkit, On Your Side, today, World Suicide Prevention Day, with a landmark speech in which he will say: "My hope is that every sporting organisation in the country will look at what is being launched today and ask a question: ‘What more can we do?’
"Because the opportunity before us is enormous. Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service. People who may never seek support themselves and may be struggling in silence. The sporting community can help change that."
In a short film shared to mark the launch, Harry and George appear alongside boxer Carl Frampton, GB basketball player Kofi Josephs, Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, double world champion boxer, kickboxer and Muay Thai champion Ruqsana Begum and former elite jockey-turned-coach George Baker. The film shows the stars encouraging others to open up, with Harry asking directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?"
In a voiceover, William concludes: "You don’t need to be an expert to support someone who’s struggling. You just need to find the courage to have the conversation."
Hazel Detsiny, executive director of the Royal Foundation, said: "Expert advice is clear that saying the word suicide directly, calmly and safely matters. It does not make someone more likely to take their own life. It can reduce stigma, make the issue easier to talk about and give someone permission to say what they are really feeling."
The future king will be joined at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool today by Olympians Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny, former Lioness Jill Scott and presenter Gabby Logan to discuss their shared goal of preventing suicide.
Other supporters included former England footballer Alan Shearer, who was deeply affected by the loss of his close friend, former Wales captain and manager and Everton midfielder Gary Speed, who died by suicide in 2011. "We can't always know when somebody is struggling, but we can all be better at asking, listening, and helping someone find the right support," he said. "Prince William has done a huge amount around mental health and sport, and I'm very happy to support the Royal Foundation with this."
On Your Side will help organisations build the knowledge, confidence and practical approaches needed for suicide prevention. The Football Association, Team GB and British Cycling are among several major sporting bodies already committed to using it.
The Royal Foundation has developed the toolkit in partnership with the British Standards Institution and the mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. In a foreword to the 72-page document, William describes how sport can provide "connection and support at times when people need it most – times when they’re feeling pressure, loss or even despair.
"Through my work on mental health, I have met people whose lives have been changed forever by suicide. But I have also met people whose lives have been saved because someone stepped in to help. Each of their experiences has had a profound impact on me.
"In moments of need, the right support can make all the difference. We all have the power to help, and that’s why suicide prevention must be an important part of everyday sporting life." He adds: "I hope that On Your Side encourages everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan."
Last year, William's eyes filled with tears as he chatted to Rhian Mannings, whose husband died by suicide following the tragic death of their one-year-old son.
William launched the National Suicide Prevention Network last year with a £ 1 million funding commitment from the Royal Foundation. On Your Side was inspired by sporting organisations reaching out to find out more about what they could do.
For more information, visit: hubofhope.co.uk/OnYourSide
