Prince William is set to convene a panel of prominent figures from the world of sport on Thursday for the debut of an unprecedented suicide prevention toolkit. This resource, crafted to help sports organisations identify warning signs and provide support to individuals at risk, marks a significant step forward in mental‑health advocacy within athletics. The high‑profile event will be hosted at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
Among the distinguished guests joining the Prince of Wales are Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, broadcaster Gabby Logan, professional boxer Campbell Hatton, England women’s football star Jill Scott, and double Olympic gold‑medallist Dame Laura Kenny. Together they will launch the initiative titled “On Your Side.” “On Your Side” was developed through a partnership between The Royal Foundation, the British Standards Institution and the mental‑health charity Chasing the Stigma.
Its purpose is to embed suicide‑prevention practices into the everyday operations of clubs, academies, governing bodies and elite teams. The toolkit will be freely accessible via Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope, the United Kingdom’s largest mental‑health directory, ensuring that any sport‑related organisation can download and implement the guidance. To amplify the launch, The Royal Foundation has produced a short film that encourages people to feel confident initiating conversations about suicide. The film features a roster of well‑known athletes, including England football captain Harry Kane, Formula 1 driver George Russell, two‑weight world champion boxer Carl Frampton, GB basketball player Kofi Josephs, Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, multi‑disciplinary champion Ruqsana Begum, and former jockey‑turned‑coach George Baker.
Their participation underscores the message that mental‑health concerns cut across every sport and level of achievement. Major governing bodies such as The Football Association (FA), the Premier League, British Cycling and Team GB have pledged to adopt the toolkit across their entire structures.
The FA, of which Prince William serves as patron, will embed the resource throughout its national organisation as well as its community and grassroots football networks. The Premier League and British Cycling will announce dedicated commitments to prioritise suicide prevention, while Team GB intends to use the guidance with all athletes, coaches and support staff.
Beyond these headline organisations, more than a dozen additional sports entities have signed up to become champions of the toolkit. They have committed to integrating evidence‑based suicide‑prevention techniques into their daily routines, ensuring that the guidance does not remain a peripheral document but becomes a living part of sport culture. The toolkit offers practical advice on creating safe, supportive environments where individuals feel empowered to speak up. It outlines appropriate language, conversation starters and steps for responding when someone appears to be in crisis.
Central to the resource is a five‑step framework called GOALS, which provides a clear pathway for initiating dialogue about suicidal thoughts. The acronym stands for: 1. **G**et the conversation started 2.
**O**penly discuss feelings 3. **A**ssess the level of risk 4. **L**ink to professional help 5. **S**upport ongoing recovery This framework is designed to be simple enough for use in local clubs yet robust enough for elite settings.
The guidance also details how to embed suicide‑prevention into routine practice, educate staff and volunteers on spotting warning signs, and establish clear protocols for crisis situations and post‑incident support. Research commissioned by The Royal Foundation highlighted the sports sector’s untapped potential as a platform for suicide prevention. However, the study also revealed significant barriers, including stigma—particularly among men and high‑performing athletes—alongside gaps in knowledge, skills and resources.
While pockets of effective practice exist, the sector’s sheer scale and diversity often result in fragmented, inconsistent efforts. At the grassroots level, many clubs lack clear instructions on how to recognise risk and respond appropriately.
During the launch event, representatives from across the sports ecosystem will share insights from their own organisations in a session hosted by Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community. This dialogue aims to foster cross‑sector learning and encourage collaborative solutions.
“On Your Side” builds on the National Suicide Prevention Network, which was introduced in autumn 2025 with more than £1 million of funding from The Royal Foundation for an initial three‑year period. The network’s ambition is to drive lasting change in how suicide is understood and prevented across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Prince and Princess of Wales, together with The Royal Foundation, have long prioritised reshaping the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention. Their ongoing work seeks to dismantle stigma, improve public understanding, and ensure that individuals can access the right support at the right time and in the right place.
By launching this toolkit, Prince William hopes to harness the unifying power of sport to save lives, foster resilience, and create a culture where every athlete, coach, volunteer, family member and fan feels safe to speak up and seek help when needed.