Vinny O'Connor

Outside Hill Dickinson Stadium is a bench which bears the tribute: “In Memory of Gary Speed, Evertonian, Captain, Leader 1969–2011. A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.” Tuesday would have been Speed’s 57th birthday. The “talking bench” was unveiled last year in memory of the late, great, much-missed Speed. The skilful, hard-working midfielder played with distinction for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United as well as Everton and on 85 occasions for Wales. He took his life on November 27, 2011. The “talking bench” in Speed’s memory aims to encourage people to open up on their mental health troubles. Not even Speed’s family, closest friends or old team-mates knew he was struggling. Hill Dickinson Stadium feels a poignant setting for today’s announcement by The Prince of Wales of a suicide prevention toolkit, On Your Side, providing guidance on recognising risk and responding appropriately. The club’s hugely respected and impactful outreach department, Everton In The Community, is heavily involved in the campaign. So are the England legends Harry Kane and Alan Shearer, powerful voices on mental health issues. Shearer understood the poignancy of having the launch at Everton, a club graced by his great friend Speed (who he'd played alongside at Newcastle). “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,” Shearer said. “You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t have to have all the answers but I hope everyone will support the toolkit.” Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and the Prince wants to harness the power of sport to tackle the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK. The Prince will urge every sporting organisation in the country to ask themselves “what more can we do?” on suicide prevention. The Prince is patron of the FA which has committed to using the toolkit across the organisation and grass-roots football. The Premier League and EFL also support the campaign along with England Rugby, British Cycling and Team GB, amongst other sporting bodies. The Prince wants everyone involved in sport, whether participant or parent, coach, official or supporter, to have suicide prevention as “part of your game-plan”. On Your Side has been developed by the Royal Foundation with the British Standards Institution and national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. The toolkit involves five steps - GOALS, for individuals to start a conversation. “Get ready. Open the conversation. Ask the question. Listen and respond. Support and signpost.” “Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service, people who may never seek support themselves and may be struggling in silence,” the Prince is expected to say at Hill Dickinson Stadium. “My hope is that every sporting organisation in the country will look at what is being launched today and ask a question ‘what more can we do?’ because the opportunity before us is enormous.” hubofhope.co.uk/OnYourSide