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Prince William and Kate Middleton launch 'On Your Side' project to improve suicide prevention in the sports sector

Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a joint official engagement in Liverpool to launch 'On Your Side,' a new project designed to help the sports sector improve suicide prevention. The project provides a toolkit for individuals and organizations across sports, from grassroots clubs to elite teams, to help people recognize warning signs, start conversations, and connect individuals with support before a crisis occurs. Prince William described suicide as one of the greatest challenges facing society and stated that prevention cannot be left solely to mental health professionals. He emphasized that friends, coaches, and teammates can play a vital role in noticing struggles. The project was developed by the Royal Foundation in collaboration with the British Standards Institution and the mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. During the event, the royal couple met with Carol Speed, the mother of former footballer Gary Speed, who died by suicide in 2011. They sat on a bench dedicated to her son at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. The project is supported by various sporting organizations, including the Football Association, Premier League, and Team GB.

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