This World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September), football managers across England are showing a united front and lending their voice to Greater Manchester’s groundbreaking suicide prevention campaign.
The League Managers Association (LMA) has once again teamed up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to support NHS Greater Manchester’s Shining a Light on Suicide campaign, encouraging fans to take a simple, life-saving step and learn how to spot the signs that someone may be thinking of suicide.
Shining a Light on Suicide aims to bring suicide out of the dark, so that everyone can confidently start open and honest conversations about suicide and suicidal feelings. With cases of suicide remaining high across the country, fifty football managers representing the Women’s Super League 1 and 2, Premier League, English Football League as well as England Manager Thomas Tuchel are helping to tackle suicide head on by releasing a new suicide prevention film.
Narrated by LMA member Jürgen Klopp, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, Mayor Andy Burnham and LMA Chief Executive Richard Bevan and including personally delivered messages from managers across the leagues, the film urges everyone to take free suicide prevention training. The Zero Suicide Alliance training takes just 30 minutes and teaches you skills and builds confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you are worried about.
The new video and further individualised messaging from managers will be shared daily across LMA, NHS Greater Manchester and Shining a Light on Suicide social media during the Month of Hope (10th September – 10th October).
The show of support from managers is part of a long-term partnership which started in 2021, led by the LMA and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, with NHS Greater Manchester’s Shining A Light On Suicide campaign. This year, more managers than ever are lending their voices, using their influence to reach new generations and reinforce the message that suicide prevention is everyone’s business.
To date, the 30-minute Zero Suicide Alliance free training has so far been taken by almost 2.9 million people across the world.
Suicidal thoughts are more common than people realise, with 1 in 4 people thinking of suicide during their lifetime. In England, males aged 45-49 years and women aged 50-54 years were found to have the highest suicide rates – with women’s suicide rates at their highest for 30 years and the North West having the highest overall registered suicide numbers in the country.
Research shows that, by asking directly if a person is thinking of suicide, the risk can be reduced as it provides an opportunity for the person to open up about how they are feeling.
LMA member and former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp said: “Preventing suicide is an urgent issue and tragically too many lives are lost each year. For these reasons talking openly about suicide is more crucial than ever. And we can all help by completing the free Zero Suicide Alliance online training program. It takes just 30 minutes.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in this country, and far too many families are living with the heartbreak it leaves behind. We can’t accept that - we’ve got to keep talking about it and make sure people know help is there when they need it.
“That’s why I’m so proud that the League Managers Association is once again backing our Shining a Light on Suicide campaign. Football reaches so many people, and when clubs and managers speak out it makes a real difference. It helps break the silence, it helps people feel less alone, and it reminds us that even the smallest conversation can save a life. For anyone who is struggling: you are not alone, support is always available.”
Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe said: “Suicide prevention is so vitally important, and as LMA members we want to do all that we can to help bring the topic of suicide out of the dark. Together we can help prevent suicide.”
Chief Executive of the LMA, Richard Bevan said: “We are really proud and privileged to move into the third phase supporting the Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham with the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign. The LMA members – men and women – recognise that their far-reaching voices can make a real difference. So we are going to be encouraging people to take the training course to help save lives and make a difference together.”
Director at the Zero Suicide Alliance, Dr Claire Iveson said: “Suicide doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, even those who seem to be thriving. When you're concerned someone might be struggling, it’s natural to feel unsure about what to say or do. But not saying or doing anything can feel worse.
“Our suicide awareness training courses have been taken nearly three million times and aim to help people better understand suicide risk, suicide warning signs and shares tips for how to approach a conversation with someone they’re worried about.
“We’re proud to support the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign, which helps break the silence and stigma around suicide. We’re especially grateful to the LMA for once again lending their voice to this important cause. Their support helps amplify these messages and reach even more people as the more people who feel empowered and equipped to talk about suicide, the greater chance we have for lives to be saved.”
Suicide affects us all. Encourage someone to talk before suicide seems their only option. Together we can help prevent suicide. Find out how at www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/ (If you live outside of Greater Manchester, you can find local suicide prevention support from your local health service).
If you’re struggling to cope, call Samaritans on 116 123.
Visit the website to learn more and take the free Zero Suicide Alliance 30-minute training to learn how to save a life which is available to access nationwide.
If you have been bereaved or affected by suicide, support is available at Greater Manchester Bereavement Service. For those living outside of Greater Manchester suicide bereavement support can be found in your local area or at www.suicideandco.org.
