Full Breakdown
Prince William Launches “On Your Side” Suicide-Prevention Toolkit for Sport
9/10/2026, 9:28:36 AM
Core Event
On September 10, Prince William will unveil “On Your Side,” a suicide-prevention toolkit for the UK sports sector. The launch, timed with World Suicide Prevention Day, takes place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and is attended by elite athletes including Olympic champions Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Jason Kenny, Dame Laura Kenny, England captain Harry Kane and Formula 1 driver George Russell.
Background & Context
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in England and Wales, with 6,190 registered suicides in 2024—a rate of 17.6 per 100,000 for males versus 5.7 per 100,000 for females (ONS). The Royal Foundation sees sport as a channel to reach people who might not seek formal mental-health services. “On Your Side” builds on the National Suicide Prevention Network, slated to launch in autumn 2025 with £1 million of Royal Foundation funding.
Key Figures & Groups
- Prince William, Prince of Wales – initiator of the project.
- Hazel Detsiny – executive director of the Royal Foundation, co-author of the toolkit guidance.
- Dame Kelly Holmes – Olympic champion and mental-health advocate.
- Sir Jason Kenny & Dame Laura Kenny – Olympic rowing champions.
- Harry Kane – England men’s football captain, featured in the launch film.
- George Russell – Formula 1 driver, featured in the launch film.
- The Football Association (FA), Premier League, British Cycling, Team GB – governing bodies committing to embed the toolkit.
Timeline
- September 10 – Launch event at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium; release of the “On Your Side” toolkit and short film.
Data & Statistics
- 6,190 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2024 (ONS).
- Male suicide rate: 17.6 per 100,000; female rate: 5.7 per 100,000.
- Approximately 7,000 lives are lost to suicide each year in the UK.
Official Statements & Responses
The Royal Foundation describes the toolkit as a “first-of-its-kind” resource that equips clubs and athletes with conversation starters, safe-language guidelines, and a five-step “GOALS” framework (Get ready, Open the conversation, Ask the question, Listen and respond, Support and signpost).
The FA, Premier League, British Cycling and Team GB have pledged to integrate the guidance into policies, training programmes and community outreach. The toolkit will be hosted on the British Standards Institution-partnered “Hub of Hope,” the UK’s largest mental-health directory.
Why It Matters
Suicide disproportionately affects men under 50, making early intervention critical. Embedding mental-health conversations into sport—from grassroots clubs to elite organisations—aims to create “safe and supportive environments” where athletes, staff and spectators can recognise warning signs and intervene before crises escalate.
Verbatim Quote
- “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.” — Hazel Detsiny, executive director of the Royal Foundation
What’s Next
The “On Your Side” toolkit is now publicly available on the Hub of Hope website. Governing bodies will roll out training sessions and policy updates throughout the 2024-25 season, with ongoing monitoring planned by the Royal Foundation and its partners.
