News

North London NHS Foundation Trust and Arsenal Football Club are teaming up this season to pilot a match day mental health drop-in service at The Arsenal Hub with a particular focus on suicide. 

The Premier League have funded 11 clubs to pilot Together Against Suicide during the 2025/26 season with the aim of raising awareness about this important issue and providing a service that offers help to our supporters when they are most in need. 

According to research conducted by Samaritans, there were 5,565 suicides registered in England in 2023, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide. Locally, Islington has the second highest rate of rate of diagnosed depression and severe mental illness in London. 

How the programme works

The service will offer a safe-space where fans experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can access confidential support from a senior NLFT clinician.

The service will be available to fans attending Arsenal home matches (regardless of team) who may be struggling with suicidal feelings, wider mental health concerns, or may not otherwise seek help. Safeguards are in place for under-18s and those affected by alcohol or substances. Fans using the service will not need to have match tickets to speak to our clinician.

The NLFT senior clinician will be based at the Arsenal hub (adjacent to Emirates stadium) in a designated area. The hub will be operated by a member of appropriately trained Arsenal staff and security. Fans seeking the service will be directed to the hub and to the designated area where they will be offered a refreshment and made to feel welcome. They will be offered a 1:1 session with the NLFT senior clinician to discuss their concerns and presenting issues. A friend or family member will be welcome to remain with them during this session if requested by the fan

During the session, the NLFT clinician will offer: 
•    Emotional support and containment 
•    Active risk assessment regarding suicidality 
•    Mental state assessment as appropriate 
•    Signposting to local NHS, VCS and digital provision as appropriate (NB: local to the fan) 
•    With consent, note entry on NHS records (not required to access the service) 
•    With consent, checking NHS records for review (as appropriate and available) 
•    Urgent access to local crisis provision if indicated 
•    General support around mental health needs and support interventions 
•    Offer of phone call to family member/carer/supportive friend to inform of conversation as deemed appropriate and agreed upon. 

The service is complemented by training for Arsenal staff, awareness campaigns, and a digital self-help resource.

The Arsenal Hub is directly next to Emirates Stadium at 56 Benwell Road, N7 7BA. The practitioner will be available two hours before kick-off, during the game and for one hour after the game finishes. 

This match-day drop-in service will be available from the Manchester City game on Sunday 21 September. To find out when Arsenal's other home games take place, please click here.

Arsenal's work

Arsenal in the Community work closely with local services to deliver programmes that aim to have a positive impact on local residents’ mental health. 

This programme allows us to build on a partnership with the North London NHS Foundation Trust that began more than 15 years ago and involves us providing two sessions per week to local adults with a mental health diagnosis. 

We partner with the Brandon Centre to host a professional counsellor at The Arsenal Hub once per week who supports Arsenal in the Community participants aged 14 to 24 who are experiencing challenges. The Brandon Centre also provide a qualified sports psychologist on our Girls Only PL Kicks sessions who engages with participants and supports them through their teenage years. 

We have delivered the Advantage programme in partnership with the NHS to provide mentoring to local young people facing mental health challenges. The programme first started as a response to the challenges facing young people during the Covid-19 pandemic but has continued since due to the level of need.

'Suicide affects people of all ages'

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Sadly, suicide is an issue that affects people of all ages from all backgrounds. We believe football can play a vital role in reducing the stigma around it and connecting fans who are experiencing suicidal thoughts with the support they need.

“By working with clubs and partners to develop ‘Together Against Suicide’, we want fans to understand that they do not have to deal with their problems alone.

“There are many ways for people to have the conversations that can have a positive impact on their mental wellbeing, whether this is by utilising the matchday services that are being launched by clubs this weekend, speaking to family and friends or by contacting Samaritans or other experts in this area for confidential advice.

“This is about using the power of football to help save lives and we urge fans to look after themselves and those they care about.”

As part of the initiative, Samaritans will provide training to club staff to ensure they feel equipped and supported to lead suicide prevention activity with fans. The League is also funding club subscriptions to R;pple , a digital tool that discreetly intercepts harmful online searches and signposts users to free, 24/7 mental health support.

To find out more or seek support, please visit: https://www.arsenal.com/togetheragainstsuicide