Prince William is set to convene a distinguished panel of sports personalities on Thursday to introduce a groundbreaking suicide prevention toolkit, the first of its kind, aimed at helping sporting organisations identify warning signs and provide support to individuals at risk. The high‑profile gathering will be hosted at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September. Among the notable figures joining the Prince of Wales at the launch of the initiative, dubbed “On Your Side,” are Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, broadcaster Gabby Logan, boxer Campbell Hatton, footballer Jill Scott and Olympic gold‑medallist Dame Laura Kenny. Their involvement underscores the cross‑disciplinary commitment to mental‑health awareness within the sporting world.
The toolkit has been crafted by The Royal Foundation in collaboration with the British Standards Institution and the mental‑health charity Chasing the Stigma. Its purpose is to embed suicide‑prevention practices into the daily operations of clubs, academies and elite sport bodies, making mental‑wellbeing a routine consideration rather than an afterthought. The resource will be freely accessible through Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope, the United Kingdom’s largest mental‑health directory. To amplify the launch, The Royal Foundation has produced a concise film that encourages viewers to feel confident initiating conversations about suicide.
The video features a roster of high‑profile athletes, including England football captain Harry Kane, Formula 1 driver George Russell, two‑weight world‑champion boxer Carl Frampton, Great Britain basketball player Kofi Josephs, Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, multi‑disciplinary combat‑sport champion Ruqsana Begum, and former elite jockey‑turned‑coach George Baker. Their testimonies illustrate that mental‑health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of fame or 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 respective structures. The FA, for which Prince William serves as patron, will embed the guidance throughout its national organisation as well as its extensive community and grassroots football network.
The Premier League and British Cycling have each announced plans to prioritise suicide‑prevention initiatives, while Team GB intends to make the resource available to all athletes, coaches and support staff. In addition to these headline organisations, more than a dozen other sports entities have signed up to become champions of the toolkit. They have committed to integrating evidence‑based, practical suicide‑prevention techniques into their policies, training programmes and day‑to‑day interactions.
The guidance offers concrete advice on fostering safe, supportive environments where individuals feel empowered to speak up and assist peers in distress. It includes recommendations on appropriate language, conversation starters and the creation of clear protocols for crisis situations. Central to the toolkit is a five‑step framework known as GOALS, which provides a simple, repeatable method for starting a dialogue about suicidal thoughts.
Each letter stands for a specific action that guides the conversation, helping participants move from recognizing a warning sign to offering tangible support. The framework is designed to be adaptable for use in any sporting setting—from local youth clubs and school academies to professional franchises—regardless of size, organisational structure or competitive level. It is relevant to everyone involved in sport, including athletes, coaches, administrative staff, volunteers, families and even spectators. Research commissioned by The Royal Foundation revealed that the sports sector holds immense potential as a platform for suicide prevention, yet it is often hampered by stigma—particularly among men and elite athletes—and by gaps in knowledge, skills and resources.
While there are pockets of effective practice and strong goodwill throughout the sector, the sheer scale and diversity of sport mean that initiatives are frequently siloed, inconsistent and unevenly resourced. At the grassroots level, many clubs lack clear guidance on how to recognise risk factors 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.
This dialogue aims to illustrate real‑world applications of the toolkit and to encourage cross‑sector learning. The new 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 change in how suicide is understood and prevented across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Prince William, the Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation have long prioritised shifting the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention.
Their goal is to dismantle stigma, promote early intervention and ensure that individuals can access the right support at the right time and in the right place. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can visit the Hub of Hope for resources and information. For immediate assistance within the UK, dial 111.
If you are outside the United Kingdom, please reach out to your local health service or crisis helpline for support.