Prince William is set to convene a distinguished panel of sport’s most influential personalities on Thursday for the debut of a groundbreaking suicide prevention toolkit, the first of its kind, aimed at equipping sporting organisations with the ability to spot early warning signs and provide timely assistance to individuals at risk. 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 notable figures joining the Prince of Wales are Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, veteran broadcaster Gabby Logan, rising boxing star Campbell Hatton, former England women’s football captain Jill Scott, and double Olympic gold medallist Dame Laura Kenny. Together they will introduce the initiative, branded “On Your Side,” which has been meticulously crafted by The Royal Foundation in collaboration with the British Standards Institution and the mental‑health charity Chasing the Stigma.
The toolkit is intended to embed suicide‑prevention practices into the daily fabric of sport, from community clubs to elite training centres. It will be made freely accessible through Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope, the United Kingdom’s largest directory of mental‑health resources. To underscore the launch, The Royal Foundation has also produced a short, powerful film that encourages viewers to find the confidence to start conversations about suicide. The film features a roster of sporting icons, 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.
Major governing bodies such as The Football Association (FA), the Premier League, British Cycling and Team GB have pledged to roll out the toolkit across their entire structures. The FA, whose patron is the Prince, will integrate the guidance into its national organisation as well as its extensive community and grassroots football network. The Premier League and British Cycling have announced parallel commitments to prioritise suicide prevention, while Team GB will make the resource available to all athletes, coaches, and support staff. Beyond these headline organisations, more than a dozen additional sport‑specific bodies have signed on as champions of the toolkit, promising to embed evidence‑based, practical suicide‑prevention techniques throughout their operations.
The guidance offers concrete advice on cultivating safe, supportive environments where individuals feel empowered to speak up and assist others in distress. It includes recommended language, conversation starters, and protocols for handling crises. A central feature of the resource is a five‑step framework known as GOALS, designed to help anyone initiate a dialogue about suicidal thoughts.
The acronym stands for: 1. **G** – Gather information about the person’s situation; 2. **O** – Offer empathy and listen without judgment; 3.
**A** – Ask directly about suicidal thoughts; 4. **L** – Listen actively and assess risk; 5. **S** – Support the individual by connecting them with professional help. 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, acknowledging that mental‑health challenges can affect anyone involved in sport. Research commissioned by The Royal Foundation highlighted the sport sector’s unique capacity to serve as a powerful platform for suicide prevention.
However, the study also identified significant barriers, notably stigma—particularly among men and elite athletes—and gaps in knowledge, skills, and resources. While pockets of effective practice exist, the sector’s sheer scale and diversity often result in fragmented, inconsistent, and under‑resourced efforts. At the grassroots level, many clubs lack clear guidance on recognizing risk and responding 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 initiative builds on the National Suicide Prevention Network, which was launched in the autumn of 2025 with more than £1 million of funding from The Royal Foundation over an initial three‑year period. The network’s ambition is to drive lasting transformation 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 goal is to dismantle stigma, promote early intervention, and ensure that individuals receive the right support at the right time and in the right place. If you or someone you know is struggling, please visit the Hub of Hope for resources, or call 111 for immediate assistance in the UK. Those outside the United Kingdom should reach out to their local health services for support.