City are backing the league-wide 'Together Against Suicide' campaign with Samaritans, visible across Premier League matches between 4 and 14 September.

‘Together Against Suicide’ is the Premier League and clubs’ joint initiative to support fans affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, helping raise awareness of information and expertise available to those who need it most.

Delivered in partnership with suicide prevention charity Samaritans, the initiative is visible across Premier League matches between 4 and 14 September.

Find out more about our work with Andy’s Man Club

World Suicide Prevention Day falls within that period, on Thursday 10 September, in which the Premier League and Samaritans will release a League-wide film built around the campaign’s central message: every 90 minutes, someone in the UK takes their own life.

More than 6,000 people die by suicide in the UK each year, and one in four people will experience suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year.

Suicide is preventable. Free, confidential support is available to anyone who needs it, at any hour of the day.

Here at Manchester City, this is a continuation of the Club’s ongoing mental health and suicide prevention support. For the past two years, Andy’s Man Club have led weekly peer to peer support that is open to any male aged 18 or over living in Manchester or visiting at the Etihad Stadium.

The Club’s wider mental health and wellbeing work is delivered through City in the Community, which supports people across Greater Manchester. The City Thrive programme, delivered in partnership with the NHS, offers group workshops and one-to-one mentoring for young people under the age of 25, equipping them with tools to manage their own wellbeing.

At half-time at this Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Coventry City, Danny Wilson, Manchester City Operations Managing Director will be joined by Luke Ambler, Andy’s Man Club Founder and Omar Latif-Akhtar, Manchester Facilitator to discuss pitch side why the charity was founded, the role it plays in helping men take a first step, and the impact it has had at the Etihad Stadium over the past two years.

In coming home matchdays across the season supporters at the Etihad Stadium will be able to speak with service providers from Samaritans, Andy’s Man Club and partners from across Greater Manchester to make sure supporters know that support is there and how to reach it.

Where to find support

Andy’s Man Club

Andy’s Man Club sessions run every Monday from 19:00 – 21:00 in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium, excluding Bank Holidays. If you or someone you know is interested in attending an Andy’s Man Club session at the Etihad more information can be found here.

Andy’s Man Club runs at venues across the UK, every Monday. For more information please[KD1]  visit: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/

Samaritans

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Their volunteers answer a call for help every 10 seconds. If you’re speaking to someone who appears to be in crisis, or is expressing suicidal feelings, you can signpost them to Samaritans on 116 123. This phone number is free to call and offers a confidential service that is available 24/7.[KD2] 

NHS 111: call 111 and select the mental health option for support.[KD3] 

Premier League: the Together Against Suicide hub includes information on signs and symptoms to look for if you are concerned about how you or someone else is feeling, with support and referral information for domestic and international services. Visit premierleague.com/togetheragainstsuicide

Outside the UK: the International Association for Suicide Prevention lists crisis centres worldwide at iasp.info