Prince of Wales to visit mental health hub in Wales on World Suicide Prevention Day
The engagement for William comes during his estranged brother, the Duke of Sussex’s, stay in the UK
The Prince of Wales will visit a new mental health hub in Cardiff on World Suicide Prevention Day, offering vital support to those at risk of suicide.
Prince William attends the Principality Stadium for the launch of the centre by the Jac Lewis Foundation.
The charity honours Jac Lewis, a popular Ammanford footballer who died by suicide aged 27 in February 2019.
Established in his name, it aims to provide rapid mental health and wellbeing support across Wales. The new hub, visited by the Prince on Wednesday, is expected to assist hundreds.
It will operate as a safe place for people to drop in and access professional wellbeing and mental health services in their local community.
The engagement for William comes during his estranged brother, the Duke of Sussex’s, stay in the UK, and will take place on what is expected to be Harry’s penultimate day of visits.
The Jac Lewis Foundation, which is based in Ammanford, also helps with practical issues relating to housing, finance, training and legal matters.
More than 7,000 people die by suicide each year in the UK, equating to an average of 19 lives lost per day.
Men consistently account for 75% of suicides, with rates the highest in the North of England and Wales, as well as deprived areas across the UK.
The new Jac Lewis Foundation hub is launching at the Principality Stadium through a partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, with support from The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
It will be based on the charity’s existing mental health initiatives, which operate at Ammanford and Swansea City Football Clubs.
The Royal Foundation’s support will enable the new hub to operate for one day per week over three years.
Funding will cover the cost of staff, counselling and transport costs to enable people to be assessed and offered treatment where they live.
During his visit on Wednesday, William will meet with the family and friends of Mr Lewis, including his father Jesse Lewis and his teammates from Ammanford FC.
He will then join members of the Welsh Rugby Union and Swansea City FC to discuss the role sport has in communities and how their spaces, platforms and influence can be used to support the mental health of players and fans.
The project is part of The Royal Foundation’s Community Impact Programme, which aims to provide lasting impact and legacy in communities visited by William and his wife Kate.