SSS Partner with The Royal Foundation for On Your Side

Scottish Student Sport are thrilled to have been named as one of the Founding Champion Organisations of the On Your Side Toolkit, a suicide prevention programme, led by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The first-of-its-kind toolkit, launched today (10th September) on World Suicide Prevention Day has been developed in partnership with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma.

In a first, the Prince and Princess of Wales have brought together a range of sports organisations from across the UK, from grassroots to elite levels, encouraging everyone to consider suicide prevention as an urgent priority.

Organisations including the FA, Premier League and British Cycling are also involved with the toolkit officially unveiled at an event at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon.

As one of the first Champion Organisations, SSS have committed to embedding the principles of the toolkit; building awareness and understanding of how athletes, coaches, and staff can support those who need it.

SSS have long advocated for the role that sport and physical activity plays in the lives of students, particularly when it comes to their health. Recent data from the Thrive Learners survey (2021) suggests that 1 in 5 students in Scotland reported either suicide ideation or had attempted suicide in the previous 6 months.

Further afield, evidence from the NCAA suggests that 1 in 10 deaths amongst collegiate athletes were, sadly, as a result of suicide. This is a timely and much needed toolkit that raises awareness and provides valuable resource for raising awareness to support meaningful change.

Our Commitment

Our commitment going forward is to work with our membership, partners, and student communities to support the implementation and embedding of the toolkit across Scotland’s tertiary education institutions. We will promote and raise awareness of the toolkit, develop and share key resources for staff, coaches and athletes, and seek to engage widely to raise awareness on a national level.

This isn’t just the launch of another toolkit that then goes quiet. The campaign will be ongoing and our work will only build as we implement the toolkit alongside our members and partners.

Commenting, SSS Head of Development Jordan Dawson said:

“We’re honoured to have been asked to become a Founding Champion Organisation of the On Your Side campaign.

“Sadly, suicide continues to impact college and university campuses across the country. With this toolkit, it is hoped we can provide clear, understandable guidance that ensures every one of us can be comfortable opening a conversation that may prevent suicide.

“Over time we look forward to working with our members, and the other Scottish Champion Organisations to increase the reach and impact of this vital toolkit.”

Access the toolkit here.