Prince William launched the On Your Side suicide prevention toolkit on World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September, at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The event brought together sporting bodies, charities and athletes to introduce a practical set of resources intended to integrate suicide prevention into everyday sporting settings.
The rollout matters because the Office for National Statistics reports that suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50, with rates significantly higher among males than females; the toolkit is designed to address that disparity by embedding straightforward guidance into training, grassroots clubs and elite environments. The Royal Foundation framed the initiative as a long-term commitment to make suicide prevention as routine as warm-ups and training sessions across sport.
Who participated and symbolic venue
The launch at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium included endorsement from more than 70 organisations, with participation from the Football AssociationPremier League representatives and Team GB figures. High-profile sportspeople who supported the campaign included England football captain Harry Kane F1 driver George Russell and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark. Alan Shearer, as a friend of Gary Speed, highlighted the personal resonance of the stadium’s ‘talking bench’ memorial to Gary Speed whose death by suicide in 2011 was cited during the event.
Toolkit design, partners and evidence base
The Royal Foundation developed the On Your Side toolkit in collaboration with the British Standards Institution and the charity Chasing the Stigma with the stated aim of creating evidence-based, practical guidance for sporting communities. The materials include suggested language, conversation starters and steps for safely directing people to support, with an emphasis on consistent practices at grassroots and elite levels. Organisers presented the toolkit as the product of two years of development and multi-sector collaboration to ensure applicability across sports.
Racing and horseracing adoption and support services
The British horseracing community and affiliated welfare bodies committed to implementing the toolkit, with the British Horseracing Authority, Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund involved in early adoption plans. The launch materials included a film featuring George Baker, a retired jockey and broadcaster, intended to demonstrate how everyday conversations can make a tangible difference. The racing sector highlighted existing services linked to the toolkit: Racing’s Support Line (24/7 emotional support), the Trainer Support Network, Sporting Chance provision for Professional Jockeys Association members and clear signposting to NHS 111 and the Samaritans at 116 123 for urgent help.
The initiative positions sport as a conduit for reaching people who might not otherwise access mental health support by normalising conversations and embedding simple, repeatable actions into team routines. Organisers said the toolkit seeks to bridge inconsistent provision at grassroots levels and to give non-clinical sports staff confidence to act when they spot distress. The Royal Foundation framed the work as ongoing and scalable across sports beyond football and racing, noting commitments from governing bodies and elite athletes to promote uptake.
Ultimo aggiornamento: 12 settembre 2026. The launch combined symbolic commemoration, cross-sector partnership and operational guidance intended to change daily practice in sport so that suicide prevention becomes a routine element of sporting culture rather than a sporadic campaign.
