Prince William is set to convene a distinguished group of sportspersons and industry leaders on Thursday for the debut of a groundbreaking suicide prevention toolkit, the first of its kind, aimed at helping sporting organisations identify early warning signs and provide support to individuals at risk. The high‑profile gathering will be held at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. Among the notable attendees 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 called “On Your Side,” a resource created through a partnership between The Royal Foundation, the British Standards Institution and the mental‑health charity Chasing the Stigma. The toolkit is designed to embed suicide prevention into the daily routines of clubs, academies, elite teams and any other sporting environment. It will be made freely accessible via Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope, the United Kingdom’s largest directory of mental‑health services and resources.
To underscore the launch, The Royal Foundation has produced a short film that encourages people 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, Great Britain 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.
Their participation highlights the universal relevance of mental‑well‑being across all levels of sport. 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, of which the Prince serves as patron, will integrate the guidance throughout its national structure, community programmes and grassroots football network.
The Premier League and British Cycling have announced plans to prioritise suicide prevention within their clubs, while Team GB intends to roll the resource out to every athlete, coach and support staff. In addition to these headline organisations, more than a dozen further sport‑related entities have signed on as champions of the toolkit, committing to embed evidence‑based, practical suicide‑prevention measures throughout their institutions. The guidance offers concrete advice on fostering safe, supportive environments where individuals feel empowered to speak up and assist peers 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, which provides a clear, step‑by‑step method for initiating dialogue about suicide. The framework is intended to be simple enough for use by anyone involved in sport—from players and coaches to volunteers, families and even spectators. Research commissioned by The Royal Foundation revealed that the sporting sector holds significant 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 available resources.
While pockets of effective practice exist, the sheer scale and diversity of sport mean that many initiatives remain siloed, inconsistent and under‑funded. At the grassroots level, numerous clubs lack clear instructions on how to recognise risk factors and respond appropriately. During the launch event, representatives from across the sports ecosystem will share insights and reflections from their own organisations in a session chaired by Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community. This dialogue aims to surface best practices, highlight challenges, and foster collaboration across the sector.
The toolkit builds on the National Suicide Prevention Network, which was launched in the autumn of 2025 with more than £1 million of initial funding from The Royal Foundation for a three‑year pilot. The network’s ambition is to create lasting change in how suicide is understood and prevented throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Prince and Princess of Wales, together with The Royal Foundation, have long prioritised shifting the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention.
Their goal is to dismantle stigma, ensure that help is available at the right moment, and guide people toward the appropriate support services. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can visit the Hub of Hope for resources and contact details. For immediate assistance in the UK, dial 111. Those outside the United Kingdom should reach out to their local health services or crisis helplines for support.