Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Prince William hopes sport can help those “struggling in silence”.
The Prince of Wales is driving a campaign to teach players, coaches and fans how to help those they fear are considering taking their own life and wants to urge people to “have the courage” to have frank conversations with the aid of a suicide prevention guide for the sports sector called On Your Side.
Speaking in a video to launch the campaign, William said: “You don’t need to be an expert to support someone who’s struggling. You just need to have the courage to have the conversation.”
The toolkit will be unveiled at Everton Football Club in Liverpool on Thursday (10.09.26), and William is due to say: “My 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.
“Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service.
“People who may never seek support themselves and may be struggling in silence. The sporting community can help change that.”
The toolkit – which is supported by the Royal Foundation as part of William’s work with the National Suicide Prevention Network and developed with charity Chasing the Stigma and the British Standards Institution – is backed by other sporting figures, including England men’s football captain Harry Kane, F1’s George Russell, Dame Kelly Holmes, Gabby Logan, Jill Scott, Alan Shearer and Dame Laura Kenny.
Alan has filmed a video for the launch, in which he noted: “We can’t always know when someone is struggling”.
In the toolkit, William calls for “everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan”.
The 44-year-old prince has written a foreword for the guide in which he discusses how he has seen first-hand the impact of suicide, as well as those who intervened to help.
He wrote: “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 moments of need, the right support can make all the difference.
“We all have the power to help, and that’s why suicide prevention must be an important part of everyday sporting life.”
The guide will be used immediately by 18 organisations, including The Football Association (FA), British Cycling, the British Horseracing Authority, England Rugby and Team GB.
