Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe urge sport to turn suicide prevention into practical support

Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe have urged sporting organisations to ensure that people experiencing mental health difficulties can access meaningful support. In an interview published by BBC Sport on Thursday, the two women discussed bereavement and their hopes for the On Your Side suicide-prevention toolkit, having met at its launch.

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Beard's husband Matt, the former Liverpool Women manager, died on 20 September 2025 after leaving Burnley Women. The BBC reported that he is believed to have taken his own life, but the inquest has not concluded. Former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe died by suicide in 2024.

Speaking to BBC interviewer Simon Jack, Debbie Beard emphasised that raising awareness must be followed by help people can actually reach. She also described the financial and parenting pressures accompanying grief. Amanda Thorpe recalled her husband's sense of isolation during his illness and the difficulty of knowing where to seek further help.

The Royal Foundation says On Your Side was launched on 10 September at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. Developed with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, it is intended for the full sporting community, including coaches, players, employees, volunteers, families and spectators. Its scope extends from local clubs and academies to elite organisations.

According to the Foundation, research behind the initiative identified examples of effective work but also fragmented provision and unequal resources. The toolkit aims to help people recognise warning signs, discuss concerns and connect someone with support before a crisis. It is available through Chasing the Stigma's Hub of Hope, which also provides a directory of mental health services.

The Football Association has separately committed to incorporating the toolkit across its organisation and national teams. It says it will use the resource to expand suicide-prevention work through grassroots clubs, including programmes in areas with high suicide rates. The FA also plans to bring football and other specialists together to share learning and assess the work.

The toolkit's website offers free digital downloads and guidance on organisational policies, crisis procedures and support after a suicide. It sets out responsibilities for organisations as well as individuals, making prevention part of their regular operations.