William to launch suicide prevention guidance backed by host of sporting starsThe guidance has been produced by William’s Royal Foundation in partnership with the British Standards Institution and charity Chasing the Stigma.The Prince of Wales and Harry Kane are backing the campaign (PA)PA ArchiveTony Jones3 minutes ago
The Prince of Wales and England captain Harry Kane are urging the sporting world to make suicide prevention part of their “game plan” by adopting new guidance about how to spot, and then support, someone having a mental health crisis.
The footballer and other sporting stars, including F1 driver George Russell, appear in a video promoting the online guidance for grassroots players, professionals, fans and organisations being launched by William at a Premier League club.
In a speech, the prince is expected to say that sport can reach those “who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service”, and he hopes every sporting organisation asks: “What more can we do? Because the opportunity before us is enormous.”
William will be joined at Everton’s stadium in Liverpool on World Suicide Prevention Day by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, ex-Lioness Jill Scott and former cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
The future King has penned a foreword for the suicide prevention guidance, called On Your Side, and writes: “Through my work on mental health, I have met people whose lives have been changed forever by suicide.
“But I have also met people whose lives have been saved because someone stepped in to help. Each of their experiences has had a profound impact on me.”
In the launch at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Football Association, which William supports as patron, will commit to embedding new advice across the organisation, including its community and grassroots football network.
The Premier League and British Cycling will announce their commitment to prioritising suicide prevention and Team GB will use the resource with all athletes and staff.
William will launch the guidance at Everton’s ground (Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Wire
William goes on to write: “Whatever your role – athlete, coach, parent, official or supporter – you may be the person who notices that someone is struggling.
“You could be the one who starts an honest conversation and who helps that person to find the support they need.
“This toolkit gives you clear, practical guidance to do exactly that. I hope that On Your Side encourages everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan.”
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In the video, sporting stars, including ex-world champion boxer Carl Frampton and former women’s rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, ask questions about a person’s wellbeing while in sporting environments, with Kane saying “are you alright?” then adding “you don’t have to figure this out on your own”.
William is not seen in the film but delivers the voiceover: “You don’t need to be an expert to support someone who’s struggling. You just need to find the courage to have the conversation.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer said it was poignant the launch was being staged at Everton, a club “that meant so much” to his close friend Gary Speed, the ex-manager of Wales and former Everton midfielder who was found hanged in his home in 2011.
Shearer said: “We can’t always know when somebody is struggling but we can all be better at asking, listening and helping someone find the right support.”
He added: “You don’t have to have all the answers, but I hope everyone will support the toolkit.”
On Your Side offers advice on spotting warning signs, starting a conversation with someone suspected of having mental health issues, asking direct questions such as “are you thinking about suicide?” and advising them where they can find further support.
The new guidelines debunk the “myth” that talking about suicide promotes the idea, stating: “In fact, it opens up a conversation that can help someone feel heard, less alone and more willing to seek support.”
It has been produced by William’s Royal Foundation in partnership with the UK’s national standards body the British Standards Institution and national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, which will provide the advice on its Hub of Hope, a mental health directory.
Jake Mills, founder and chief executive of Chasing the Stigma, said: “We know that sport brings people together, if we can reach people and give people a reason to talk about this topic, but then take something practical away, then that’s the legacy of what we’re trying to do here, is to take it into that everyday life.”
Hazel Detsiny, executive director at the Royal Foundation, said: “The scale of the challenge remains clear, suicide remains one of the most serious public health issues we face with over 7,000 deaths a year across the UK – it’s the biggest cause of death of men under 50.”
She added: “Sport has an unparalleled reach and influence with this group that few sectors can match. While sport cannot prevent suicide on its own there is real opportunity to create supportive environments needed to make conversations about suicide feel possible.”
– Call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
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Harry KaneFootball AssociationPrince of WalesAlan ShearerGeorge Russell