Prince William launches sport mental health toolkit
September 9, 2026 23:01
Prince William and his Royal Foundation unveiled On Your Side, an online toolkit designed to embed suicide prevention into sporting environments. The resources are intended to give people involved in sport practical steps to recognise and respond when someone is struggling.
The initiative is supported by more than 70 organisations across sport and mental-health sectors and was timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
KEY CONTEXT
- The Royal Foundation said the project took two years to develop and that the National Health Service, the Samaritans and Mind were consulted during its creation.
- The toolkit carries backing from major sporting bodies, including the Football Association, the Premier League, Team GB and British Cycling, alongside leading charities.
- Official material promoting On Your Side features high-profile athletes such as England captain Harry Kane, F1 driver George Russell and Rugby World Cup winner Rochelle "Rocky" Clark.
- The decision to stage the official launch at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium was linked to the venue’s inclusion of a ‘talking bench’ commemorating former player and manager Gary Speed, who took his own life in 2011.
- National statistics cited in the announcement note 6,190 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2024; suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50, with notably higher rates among males (17.6 per 100,000) than females (5.7 per 100,000).
WHY IT MATTERS
Sporting organisations are prominent partners in the rollout, reflecting the stated intention to make suicide prevention a routine part of sporting life — alongside warm‑ups and training. The Royal Foundation frames sport’s wide reach and community role as an opportunity to improve early intervention and consistent support, particularly at grassroots levels where the foundation says provision has been uneven.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- The toolkit’s official launch event at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and the initial public availability of the online resources.
- How the more than 70 partner organisations incorporate the toolkit into everyday practice, especially at grassroots clubs where the foundation highlighted inconsistency of support.
- Whether the Royal Foundation’s goal of a sustained legacy beyond the World Suicide Prevention Day launch is realised, as it has said the project is not intended as a one‑day campaign.
KEY FACTS
- The initiative is called On Your Side and is published by the Royal Foundation.
- It is backed by 70+ organisations, including the FA, Premier League, Team GB and British Cycling.
- The project was developed over two years with input from the NHS, the Samaritans and Mind.
- Promotional material features Harry Kane, George Russell and Rochelle "Rocky" Clark.
- The official launch is scheduled at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium; the launch coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September).
- ONS figures cited: 6,190 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2024; male rate 17.6 per 100,000, female rate 5.7 per 100,000.