Prince William is set to convene a panel of prominent sports personalities this Thursday for the debut of a groundbreaking suicide prevention resource, the first of its kind tailored specifically for the athletic world. The high‑profile gathering 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, boxer Campbell Hatton, football legend Jill Scott and double Olympic gold‑medallist Dame Laura Kenny. Together they will introduce the initiative, titled “On Your Side,” which has been crafted through a partnership between The Royal Foundation, the British Standards Institution and the mental‑health charity Chasing the Stigma. The toolkit is intended to embed suicide‑prevention practices into the everyday fabric of sport, from community clubs to elite training centres.
It will be made publicly accessible via Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope – the United Kingdom’s largest directory of mental‑health services and resources. To amplify the launch, The Royal Foundation has produced a short film that encourages viewers to feel confident initiating conversations about suicide. The film features a diverse roster of 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 combat champion Ruqsana Begum and former jockey‑turned‑coach George Baker. 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 operations.
The FA, for which Prince William serves as patron, will integrate the guidance throughout its entire structure, extending to community and grassroots football networks. The Premier League and British Cycling have announced parallel commitments to prioritise suicide‑prevention initiatives, while Team GB will deploy the resource among all athletes and support staff. In addition to these headline organisations, more than a dozen other sports entities have signed on as champions of the programme, agreeing to embed evidence‑based suicide‑prevention techniques within their own cultures and procedures.
The guidance contained in the toolkit offers practical advice on creating safe, supportive environments where individuals feel empowered to speak up and assist others in distress. It outlines appropriate language, conversation starters and strategies for fostering open dialogue. Moreover, it details how to weave suicide‑prevention into routine practice, educate staff and participants to recognise warning signs, and respond effectively to a person in crisis. Clear protocols for managing emergency situations and supporting those affected by a suicide are also included.
Central to the resource is a five‑step framework called GOALS, designed to help anyone initiate a conversation about suicide. GOALS stands for: 1. **Gather** information and observe behavioural changes; 2. **Observe** signs of distress and listen actively; 3.
**Ask** directly and compassionately about thoughts of self‑harm; 4. **Listen** without judgment, offering a supportive presence; 5.
**Support** by connecting the individual with professional help and follow‑up care. The toolkit is deliberately versatile, suitable for use in any sporting context—whether a local youth club, an academy, or a world‑class professional organisation. It is relevant to players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, families and even spectators, recognizing that mental‑health challenges can affect anyone connected to sport.
Research commissioned by The Royal Foundation highlighted that the sports sector possesses a unique capacity to influence suicide‑prevention outcomes, yet it is often hampered by stigma—particularly among men and elite athletes—and by gaps in knowledge, skills and resources. While pockets of effective practice exist, the sheer scale and diversity of sport mean that many initiatives operate in isolation, leading to inconsistent support across the sector. At the grassroots level, numerous clubs lack clear guidance on how to identify risk and respond appropriately.
During the launch event, representatives from across the sporting ecosystem will share insights and reflections from their own organisations in a session moderated by Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community. These testimonies will illustrate real‑world applications of the toolkit and underscore the collective commitment to cultural change. The “On Your Side” initiative 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 phase. The network aims to create lasting transformation in how suicide is understood and prevented throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Prince William, alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation, has long prioritised shifting the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention. Their goal is to dismantle stigma, ensure timely access to support, and provide help in the right place at the right moment. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can visit the Hub of Hope for resources, or call 111 for immediate assistance within the UK. Those outside the United Kingdom should reach out to their local health services for appropriate support.