Kate joins William at Everton for suicide prevention launch

What happened

Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium became the setting for a royal-backed suicide prevention initiative today, with the Princess of Wales unexpectedly joining Prince William for the launch. The Liverpool event brought together sporting figures around a practical guide called On Your Side.

William had been scheduled to lead the occasion without his wife. Catherine’s attendance made it their first joint royal engagement following the summer break, placing both the Prince and Princess of Wales alongside a campaign focused on recognising distress and responding with support.

On Your Side aims to make people better equipped to notice when someone could be at risk of suicide. Its emphasis is on giving those around a struggling person the understanding and confidence to help sooner, rather than leaving concern unspoken.

The project brings together The Royal Foundation, through which William conducts his charitable work, the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. Their collaboration connects the prince’s campaigning with expertise in standards and mental health support.

Among those involved in developing the initiative are England football captain Harry Kane, Formula One driver George Russell and former footballer Alan Shearer. Olympic cycling champions Sir Jason Kenny and Dame Laura Kenny have also contributed, giving the project backing across several sports rather than football alone.

The launch coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day. Its stadium setting reflected the central purpose of the campaign: using the relationships and communities surrounding sport to reach people who might otherwise remain outside conversations about mental health.

The background

Men younger than 50 in the UK are more likely to die by suicide than from any other single cause. Although On Your Side is intended to support both men and women, that risk gives particular importance to finding ways of engaging men who do not readily seek help.

A sports-based approach offers a different starting point from a clinical appointment. People can have regular contact through training, competitions and supporting a team, creating opportunities for someone familiar to notice a change or begin a conversation. Those connections do not depend on a person first identifying themselves as needing treatment.

That distinction matters because suicide prevention extends beyond specialist services. A friend, colleague or teammate cannot diagnose a mental health condition, but can listen, take expressions of distress seriously and help someone make contact with appropriate support. Informal help and professional care have different, complementary roles.

The royal appearance also followed a family milestone earlier in the week. William and Catherine accompanied their eldest son, Prince George, when he began at Eton College. The school, across the River Thames from Windsor Castle, was also attended by William and his brother, Prince Harry.

Separately, the Royal Family has been dealing with disagreement over the position of Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, after their move from the United States to Britain two weeks ago. King Charles III wrote to more than 100 senior stakeholders to reiterate that the couple do not undertake working royal duties and that restrictions on their use of HRH titles remain.

What people are saying

In remarks prepared for the launch, William urged organisations throughout sport to examine whether they could make a greater contribution to suicide prevention. His appeal put responsibility on the wider sporting community, rather than treating the involvement of prominent athletes as sufficient in itself.

The prince’s argument centred on access: sport can connect with people who would not approach mental health services on their own. He described the possibility of reaching those enduring distress privately, presenting existing sporting relationships as a route towards support rather than a substitute for healthcare.

Dame Kelly Holmes, broadcaster Gabby Logan, boxer Campbell Hatton and former England footballer Jill Scott were among the figures joining the event. Their attendance brought together experience from athletics, broadcasting, boxing and football alongside the athletes involved in the guide’s development.

On the separate royal dispute, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said the couple had been surprised by the King’s letter and had not received advance notice. The palace’s position was that they had received it before publication, although they had not been consulted about its contents. Buckingham Palace declined further comment.

Recognising when someone needs help

Concern about suicide does not always begin with an explicit request for assistance. Changes in behaviour, withdrawal from other people, expressions of hopelessness or talk about being a burden can warrant a conversation. Such signs are not a diagnosis, and an individual’s circumstances need to be considered rather than reduced to a checklist.

Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea into their head. A calm, straightforward question can give them permission to discuss something they have found difficult to say. Listening without judgement is more helpful than arguing with their feelings or urging them simply to be positive.

Someone offering support should not promise to keep an immediate threat to life secret. If a person is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to an emergency department. Where it is safe to do so, stay with them while urgent help is arranged.

For people who are struggling, or who are worried about somebody else, Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123 at any time of day or night. The service is available across the UK, and callers do not have to be suicidal to speak to a volunteer.

In England, people needing urgent mental health support can also call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. A GP can help with ongoing difficulties and access to treatment. These routes serve different needs: an immediate danger requires an emergency response, while continuing distress may require sustained care and follow-up.

What happens next

The next task set out in William’s appeal is for sporting organisations to consider their own response to the guide. The launch is directed at institutions as well as individuals, asking those responsible for sporting environments to think about how support can become part of their everyday activity.

Turning awareness into useful action involves more than noticing that somebody seems different. In practical terms, the person raising a concern needs to understand the limits of their role and when to involve others. Within organised sport, existing safeguarding responsibilities remain relevant, particularly when children or vulnerable adults are involved.

Support also needs to continue beyond an initial conversation. Encouraging someone to contact a service, offering to sit with them while they make a call and checking in afterwards are ways an informal supporter can help without taking on the responsibilities of a clinician.

Why this matters

For UK readers involved in sport, the initiative places suicide prevention within familiar surroundings: a club, a team or a shared interest. Its practical focus is on the people around someone in distress, including those who may want to help but fear saying the wrong thing.

For families and friends, the distinction between support and treatment is important. They do not need to solve every problem before starting a conversation, but serious concerns require appropriate help. Knowing an emergency number or a listening service can make that first response more useful.