England legend Alan Shearer is in an emotional plea for help as part of a new campaign by Prince William.
The Prince of Wales and other sporting stars are urging the sporting world to make suicide prevention part of their “game plan” by adopting new guidance about how to spot, and then support, someone having a mental health crisis.
Mr Shearer, who appeared as a BBC TV pundit at the Kassam Stadium for Oxford United’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Newcastle United in February 2020, said it was poignant the launch was being staged at Everton, a club “that meant so much” to his close friend Gary Speed, the ex-manager of Wales and former Everton midfielder who was found hanged in his home in 2011.
The pundit said: “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.”
He added: “You don’t have to have all the answers, but I hope everyone will support the toolkit.”
The footballer and other sporting stars, including F1 driver George Russell, appear in a video promoting the online guidance for grassroots players, professionals, fans and organisations being launched by William at a Premier League club.
In a speech, the prince is expected to say that sport can reach those “who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service”, and he hopes every sporting organisation asks: “What more can we do? Because the opportunity before us is enormous.”
William will be joined at Everton’s stadium in Liverpool on World Suicide Prevention Day by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, ex-Lioness Jill Scott and former cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
The future King has penned a foreword for the suicide prevention guidance, called On Your Side, and writes: “Through my work on mental health, I have met people whose lives have been changed forever by suicide.
“But I have also met people whose lives have been saved because someone stepped in to help. Each of their experiences has had a profound impact on me.”
In the launch at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the Football Association, which William supports as patron, will commit to embedding new advice across the organisation, including its community and grassroots football network.
The Premier League and British Cycling will announce their commitment to prioritising suicide prevention and Team GB will use the resource with all athletes and staff.
William goes on to write: “Whatever your role – athlete, coach, parent, official or supporter – you may be the person who notices that someone is struggling.
“You could be the one who starts an honest conversation and who helps that person to find the support they need.
“This toolkit gives you clear, practical guidance to do exactly that. I hope that On Your Side encourages everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan.”
In the video, sporting stars, including ex-world champion boxer Carl Frampton and former women’s rugby World Cup winner Rocky Clark, ask questions about a person’s wellbeing while in sporting environments, with Kane saying “are you alright?” then adding “you don’t have to figure this out on your own”.
William is not seen in the film but delivers the voiceover: “You don’t need to be an expert to support someone who’s struggling. You just need to find the courage to have the conversation.”
