Prince William Launches Nationwide On Your Side Sports Mental Health Toolkit

Prince William and the Royal Foundation have introduced On Your Side, a nationwide set of online resources designed to make suicide prevention a routine part of sporting culture. BBC Sport reported that the initiative was launched to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.

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The project is backed by more than 70 organizations, including the Football Association, Premier League, Team GB and British Cycling, alongside leading mental health charities. The National Health Service, Samaritans and Mind were consulted during its development. According to the Royal Foundation, the work took two years to complete and is intended to have an impact beyond a single awareness day.

Prince William said his mental health work had brought him into contact both with people whose lives had been changed by suicide and with people helped when someone intervened. He acknowledged existing services but said initiatives can be fragmented and support inconsistent, particularly in grassroots sport. The toolkit is intended to give people across sport practical guidance when they notice that someone may be struggling.

An official launch was scheduled for Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. BBC Sport said the venue was selected because its construction included a “talking bench” dedicated to former Everton player Gary Speed. The former Wales captain and manager, who also played for Leeds, Bolton, Newcastle and Sheffield United, died by suicide in November 2011.

A promotional video for the initiative features England men’s football captain Harry Kane, Formula 1 driver George Russell and former England rugby international Rochelle “Rocky” Clark. Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record goalscorer and a close friend of Speed, has also supported the project. Shearer said people do not need specialist expertise or every answer to ask questions, listen and help someone reach appropriate support.

The launch comes against a serious national backdrop. Office for National Statistics figures cited by BBC Sport show that 6,190 suicides were registered in England and Wales in 2024. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50, while the recorded rate among males, at 17.6 per 100,000 people, was notably higher than the female rate of 5.7. Prince William said sport’s ability to bring people together could help make suicide prevention part of everyday sporting life.