Sport is often framed as a powerful vehicle for change and opportunity.
From promoting inclusion, bridging divides and advocating for healthier lifestyles, sport and those within it have played pivotal roles in supporting our communities.
This Suicide Prevention Day is no different, with Team GB sports stars coming together with The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales to help destigmatise the topic of suicide and mental health.
Elite athletes face intense pressure every single day. From physical and psychological stress, public scrutiny and the weight of performance, Olympians face more than what we see on the field of play.
In a changing society, sports stars are starting to open up about the struggles they face in a bid to change perceptions of mental health. Because Olympians are people too.
And with the ability to use their platform as elite athletes to normalise mental health struggles and what comes with it, British divers Jack Laugher and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix are ready to continue the conversation.
"Sport is watched and loved by so many and it is so important to talk about the importance of mental health and to try and aide suicide prevention," said Laugher, who admitted that he almost quit diving due to his struggles with mental health ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
"Myself and so many people are affected by suicide and I want to use my platform to talk about these difficult issues and to try and learn more myself about how to spot the signs and hopefully prevent suicide too."
Laugher and Spendolini-Sirieix were both present at The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales's event at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
This first-of-its-kind event brought together leaders from across UK sport to celebrate the progress being made to support mental health and help prevent suicide.
"To me, having events like these destigmatise the idea that you have to struggle alone," said Spendolini-Sirieix, who has been vocal about her own struggles with mental health following her raw and emotional interview after finishing sixth at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"It brings the topic of suicide out into the open and allows for honest and vulnerable conversations on what we could do better to support each other.
"It’s important to sit with, speak to and encourage everyone who is struggling, but it’s also equally important to learn how to create the safe space they need to be open about their struggles."
Read more: Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix: 2026 feels like a return to my childhood love of diving
The event further explored how the sporting sector can continue to work together to create environments where people feel supported, connected and able to access help when they need it.
It provided an opportunity to hear from organisations leading important work in suicide prevention, share learnings from across the sector, and connect with others who have a shared commitment to this important issue.
The event also marked the launch of a new suicide prevention toolkit for the sports sector, bringing together practical guidance and resources to help organisations strengthen their approach to suicide prevention and support the wellbeing of their communities.
The ‘On Your Side’ Toolkit was developed by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales in partnership with BSI and Chasing Stigma.
If you or someone you know needs support, visit the Hub of Hope, link in bio or for immediate support call 111. If you’re based outside the UK, contact support through your local health service.
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. If you need to talk or know of someone that needs help, call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.
Sportsbeat 2026