The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a landmark event in Liverpool to launch On Your Side: A Suicide Prevention Toolkit for People in Sport — a new first-of-its-kind kit designed to strengthen suicide prevention across sporting environments.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, Prince William brought together sporting legends and leaders from major organisations to harness the power of sport to prevent suicide. The Prince launched ‘On Your Side‘, a first-of-its-kind toolkit to help organisations and individuals across sport build the knowledge, confidence and practical approaches needed to contribute meaningfully to suicide prevention.
Shortly before the Prince’s arrival, Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess of Wales would be joining the day’s events.
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) OLY, Gabby Logan OBE, Campbell Hatton, Jill Scott MBE, as well as Dame Laura Kenny joined the two as he, alongside The Royal Foundation, oversaw the launch of this first-of-its-kind toolkit that was co-produced in partnership with the UK’s national standards body, the British Standards Institution (BSI) and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. It was designed to give people engaged in sport the confidence to spot warning signs, start conversations and connect individuals with support before a crisis occurs, with over a dozen other sports organisations signed up to become champions of the toolkit.
Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Prince William gave a speech where he told attendees, “You are not alone.”
The toolkit is designed to help people recognise warning signs. To build confidence in having difficult conversations. And to connect people with support before they reach crisis. Most importantly, it turns good intentions into action. So, today we want to start a movement across sport.
We are calling for a commitment to create environments where people feel able to speak openly. Where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength. And where support is never out of reach. We are hugely encouraged that organisations across the sporting landscape are already stepping forward. Many represented in this room today are making commitments to adopt and champion this work. We want to thank you for your leadership. But this cannot stop with those present.
At a time when many organisations across the mental health sector are facing significant challenges, it is more important than ever that we work together to ensure people can continue to access support.
Our hope is that every sporting organisation in the country will look at what is being launched today and ask a question: “What more can we do?”
Because the opportunity before us is enormous. — Prince William
To mark the launch, The Royal Foundation has produced a short film aimed at encouraging people to have the confidence to start a conversation about suicide. The film features footballer and England captain Harry Kane, Formula 1 driver George Russell, two-weight world champion boxer Carl Frampton, GB international basketball player Kofi Josephs, Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, double world champion boxer, kickboxer and Muay Thai champion Ruqsana Begum and former elite jockey, turned jockey coach, George Baker.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation lead with the belief that change is always possible and are committed to building innovative, collaborative and optimistic solutions that deliver positive impact where it matters most. Together, Their Royal Highnesses and The Royal Foundation have an unparalleled ability to take a long-term view and unite people, ideas and resources; inspiring action to deliver meaningful change for a better future for individuals, communities, society and our planet.
Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
The Royal Foundation has long been committed to changing the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention, helping to tackle the stigma while supporting new services so people can find the right help they need at the right time and in the right place for them.
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