The Prince of Wales has marked Mental Health Awareness Week by opening a new men's suicide prevention centre in Birmingham, where he urged people to talk more about suicide and mental health struggles.
Prince William Visits James' Place
Prince William toured the new facility run by James' Place, a charity providing free therapy for men in suicidal crisis. He met staff and former service-users whose lives were saved by the charity at its other locations. Upon arrival, he joked about the number of staff in a small room and discussed his beloved Aston Villa, which he cheered to victory on Friday.
Call for More Open Conversations
During the visit, William met partners including Papyrus, MindOUT, and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance. He praised the team, saying, "The team here are fantastic. I hope we can get more of you around the UK, because it is in need of it sadly. We need to talk more about suicide, talk more about preventing it and talk about getting it to young men and women earlier, so we don't have to have these centres in the very long run."
Former Service-Users Share Experiences
Marcus Davies, a trustee and former service-user from The Wirral, said William was "surprisingly normal, very relaxed, very open and interested in what we had to say." Ben Brand, another former client, added, "It was like just talking to anybody. You wouldn't think you were speaking to the future King." Davies noted that William's visit could help spread awareness, as he had never heard of James' Place before his GP referred him.
Plaque Unveiling and Family Tribute
William unveiled a plaque to mark the opening and was thanked by James' mother, Clare Milford Haven, for his ongoing support. She presented him with a James' Place hoodie, and he joked about its cleanliness compared to her other son Harry's during an ultra-endurance triathlon for a fifth clinic.
Charity's Impact and Future Plans
James' Place was founded in memory of James Wentworth-Stanley, who died by suicide at age 21 in 2006. Since 2018, its three centres have saved over 5,100 men's lives. Men account for over 75% of UK suicides. The Birmingham venue is the fourth centre, following Liverpool, London, and Newcastle. The charity aims to open a fifth centre by 2027, treating up to 2,000 men annually. Men can self-refer or be referred by a healthcare professional, typically receiving six to eight therapy sessions.
Royal Foundation Partnership
In October, James' Place became a founding partner of the National Suicide Prevention Network, established by The Royal Foundation. Funding supports pilot satellite services in the North East and North West of England.
For mental health support, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
