A landmark new suicide prevention toolkit launched by Prince William today is set to be embedded across the FA and its grassroots football network.
The new On Your Side initiative has been launched today, World Suicide Prevention Day, to help people throughout sport recognise when somebody may be struggling and know how to respond.
Developed by The Royal Foundation alongside the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, the guidance is aimed at players, coaches, volunteers, staff, families and spectators.
The FA has committed to embedding the toolkit across its organisation, including its community and grassroots football network.
Helping grassroots football start the conversation
The guidance is not about turning volunteer coaches into mental health professionals.
Instead, it provides practical advice on recognising potential warning signs, starting a conversation, responding when someone may be in crisis and directing them towards appropriate support.
At its heart is a five-stage GOALS approach:
Get ready • Open the conversation • Ask the question • Listen and respond • Support and signpost
👉 ACCESS THE FREE ON YOUR SIDE TOOLKIT:
https://www.hubofhope.co.uk/
TeamGrassroots founder Paul Kirton welcomed the initiative.
“Grassroots football brings millions of people together every week. Coaches, parents, referees and volunteers can see each other two or three times a week and you notice when somebody isn’t quite themselves.
“Nobody is asking a volunteer football coach to become a mental health professional. But giving people the confidence to notice something, ask a question and know where to find proper support could be incredibly powerful.”
The initiative is being launched at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium with support from leading figures across British sport.
A campaign film features sports stars including England captain Harry Kane, with the central message that people don’t need to have all the answers to start an important conversation.
“Football clubs are communities”
Kirton added:
“Football clubs are communities. People talk while they’re putting the nets up, over a cup of tea or standing beside a pitch.
“Sometimes somebody doesn’t need you to solve their problems. They need somebody to notice something isn’t right and care enough to ask if they’re OK.
“If this gives grassroots football simple, trusted guidance people can actually use, then it deserves the full support of the game.”
On Your Side is intended to make suicide prevention part of everyday sporting life and provide people across sport with practical guidance they can use when somebody may need help.
If you or somebody you know needs support, Samaritans can be contacted free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123. If somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.
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