HOW TO MAKE SUICIDE PREVENTION A CONSISTENT, YEAR-ROUND PRIORITY
Annual awareness campaigns such as World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) and Mental Health Awareness Month (May) play an important role in raising awareness, increasing understanding and challenging stigma. However, suicide prevention should not be viewed as a topic that is only addressed during these key moments in the calendar.
Sports organisations have a unique opportunity to create environments where wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention are embedded into everyday culture. Whether you are a grassroots club, a national governing body, a leisure provider or a professional sports organisation, taking a proactive, year-round approach can help ensure that people feel supported and know where to turn when they need help.
The way this is achieved will vary depending on the size of the organisation, the nature of its activities and the resources available. The most effective approach is one that is sustainable and visible and which is woven throughout organisational practices rather than delivered as a one-off initiative.
There are a number of practical ways in which sports organisations can make suicide prevention a consistent priority throughout the year:
INCLUDE WELLBEING, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION AS A STANDING AGENDA ITEM
at board and leadership meetings. This helps to ensure regular oversight, accountability and discussion at a strategic level.
REVIEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
to ensure that suicide prevention is appropriately reflected wherever relevant (including safeguarding, wellbeing, health and safety, and workforce policies). For information, see how to embed suicide prevention into policies and procedures.
INCORPORATE SUICIDE PREVENTION INTO MANDATORY TRAINING PROGRAMMES
ensuring that staff, volunteers, coaches and leaders have the knowledge and confidence to identify concerns and to signpost individuals to support. For more information, see how to choose suicide prevention training.
PROVIDE REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT AND CONVERSATION
such as wellbeing drop-in sessions, peer support groups or mental health check-ins, helping to normalise discussions around mental wellbeing.
USE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS CONSISTENTLY
by including suicide prevention messaging and support information in social media plans, newsletters, websites and internal communications throughout the year.
SUPPORT LOCAL SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES AND CHARITIES
through fundraising activities, partnerships and awareness events, helping to strengthen community connections and access to support. Find your local services via Hub of Hope.
MAXIMISE VISIBILITY OF SUPPORT MESSAGES
by displaying information on digital screens, noticeboards and other high-traffic areas across facilities and venues. For more tips on developing safe and informed suicide prevention messaging, see Samaritans Media Guidelines.
KEEP INFORMATION UP TO DATE
by regularly reviewing posters, leaflets and signposting materials to ensure that they contain current support contacts and reflect best practice.
CONSIDER SUICIDE PREVENTION DURING COMMISSIONING AND PROCUREMENT PROCESSES
ensuring that wellbeing and mental health considerations are included when developing new services, programmes or partnerships.
Embedding suicide prevention within a sports organisation is not about adding another annual campaign to the calendar. It is about creating a supporting sporting culture where wellbeing is valued, conversations about mental health are encouraged, and support is accessible throughout the year.
By taking a sustained and proactive approach, sports organisations can play a vital role in promoting mental wellbeing, reducing stigma and helping to create safer, more supportive environments for everyone involved in sport.
