Professor Ann John is a leading international expert in suicide prevention, self-harm and youth mental health.
Professor Ann John OBE of Swansea University Medical School has co-authored On Your Side, the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Sport, a new resource designed to strengthen suicide prevention and support across the sporting sector.
Co-produced by The Royal Foundation, BSI and Hub of Hope, the toolkit brings together expert knowledge, evidence and the unique reach and influence of sport to help people recognise the signs that someone may be struggling and know how to respond.
The resource is aimed at people across all levels of sport, including players, coaches, staff, volunteers, families and spectators. It provides practical guidance on recognising warning signs, starting conversations and supporting someone who may be at risk.
Professor John, a world-leading expert in suicide prevention, self-harm research and mental health data science, contributed her expertise to the toolkit alongside other experts, sports organisations and people with lived experience and different perspectives.
Professor John said: "Having co-authored On Your Side, I believe its real strength lies in bringing together the unique power and reach of sport with the rigour of a BSI standard. The Royal Foundation’s convening power has created an opportunity to bring sports organisations, experts and people with different perspectives together to co-produce something that simply would not have been possible otherwise.
"By translating the principles of the BSI standard on suicide prevention, intervention and support in the workplace into a sporting context, we now have an opportunity to reach people and communities at a scale that few other sectors can. Sport has an extraordinary ability to connect people, start conversations, influence culture and reach into organisations.
"This is not only an opportunity to strengthen suicide prevention across sport. It can provide a blueprint for other sectors — demonstrating what becomes possible when convening power, co-production and the reach of a sector are combined with the strength of an established standard to turn evidence and principles into practical action."
The toolkit was launched on World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium by The Prince of Wales, alongside leading sporting figures including Harry Kane, Alan Shearer, Dame Kelly Holmes, Gabby Logan and Jill Scott.