Prince William launches new suicide prevention toolkit with help of Harry Kane

Prince William launches new suicide prevention toolkit with help of Harry Kane England captain Harry Kane, along with Formula 1 driver George Russell and boxer Carl Frampton, star in a new film by Prince William's Royal Foundation encouraging people to have the confidence to start a conversation about suicide Prince William and Harry Kane are encouraging people to have the confidence to start a conversation about suicide. The England captain, along with a host of other sporting stars, including Formula 1 driver George Russell and boxer Carl Frampton, star in a new film by William’s Royal Foundation that promotes a brand new toolkit aimed at preventing suicide through the power of sport. Today, the prince is launching the ‘On Your Side’ toolkit that has been designed for those working or volunteering in sport, which will give advice on the warning signs to spot in someone struggling and how people can start conversations and get support before a mental health crisis occurs. The launch will be marked today at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium where William will be joined by a host of sporting stars, including Olympic gold medal winners Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Laura Kenny as well as Lioness Jill Scott, Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan and boxer Campbell Hatton, the son of Ricky Hatton, who took his own life last year. In the film, being released today, Kane and other sporting stars, including women’s rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, and elite jockey turned coach George Baker, can be seen using conversation starters to ask those they spot struggling with their mental health if they want to talk. And in it, the England captain says: “If you think someone is not OK, ask. One conversation can change everything.” The new toolkit also has the backing of former England captain and BBC pundit Alan Shearer, who was left deeply affected by the suicide of his close friend, the former Wales manager Gary Speed, who was just 42. During his visit to the home of Everton Football Club today, where Speed once played, William will visit a special talking bench at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, which was unveiled in Speed’s memory and encourages people to speak openly about their mental health. Shearer said: “Everton meant so much to Gary Speed and I’m happy to support the Royal Foundation with this.” He added “We can’t always know when somebody is struggling but we can all be better at asking, listening and helping someone find the right support. You don’t have to have all the answers, but I hope everyone will support the toolkit.” As well as visiting the bench later today, William is also expected to give a speech at the Premier League ground, where he will say: “My hope is that every sporting organisation in the country will look at what is being launched today and ask a question: ‘What more can we do?’ “Because the opportunity before us is enormous. Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service. People who may never seek support themselves and may be struggling in silence. The sporting community can help change that.” The new toolkit, which is being launched on World Suicide Prevention Day, has been produced in a partnership between the UK’s national standards body, the British Standards Institution (BSI) and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. It has been developed by experts and designed to be used by sports clubs from grassroots organisations to professional outfits and can be used by players, coaches, staff, volunteers, families and fans. It has been aimed at the sports sector as research commissioned by the Royal Foundation shows that sport has the potential to be a "powerful platform" for suicide prevention but is "hampered by stigma - particularly among men and elite athletes". The toolkit includes information on how to create an environment where people can speak up, conversation starters for those concerned about suicide, how to spot the signs of someone in crisis and where people can get support. The Football Association, of which William is patron, will commit to embedding the toolkit across its entire organisation, as well as in its community and grassroots football network. The Premier League and British Cycling will announce their commitment to prioritising suicide prevention across their organisations, and Team GB will use the resource with all athletes and staff. It will be available on Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope website and app, the UK’s largest mental health directory. Jake Mills, founder and CEO of Chasing the Stigma, said: "What we're trying to do is not just raise awareness, but come up with a conversation starter with practical solutions as a result of that. “We know that sport brings people together, if we can reach people and give people a reason to talk about this topic, but then take something practical away, then that's the legacy of what we're trying to do here: to take it into that everyday life. "If we're going to make a difference as suicide prevention, given the stigma, given the uncomfortableness, given how often people feel like they can't have that conversation, we need to reach people where they are, and we know the power of sport for a sense of community, for a sense of belonging, for a sense of camaraderie and teams. So being able to reach people where they feel comfortable with this toolkit, will dramatically have a big impact." While Hazel Detsiny, executive director of the Royal Foundation, said: “This toolkit is the first of its kind, uniting the sector across all sports and at every level, with the aim of bringing about meaningful change. Sport can be a powerful force for connection and support, and everyone engaged in sport has the power to make a difference to those at risk of suicide.”