Aston Villa deliver support for fans in Together Against Suicide initiative

Fans attending Aston Villa home fixtures will have access to information and support from Birmingham Mind, The Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club as part of the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative.

The activity, on the first floor of the Holte Pub and around Villa Park, brings clubs, players and communities together between September 4-14 to raise awareness of suicide prevention and remind people that support is available.

The Premier League and its clubs will highlight the league's Together Against Suicide initiative, which uses the power and reach of football to encourage conversations around suicide prevention and help reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking support - with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.

Premier League funding will enable Aston Villa and all other Premier League clubs to offer tailored environments on home matchdays during the 2026/27 season, providing fans with the opportunity to talk in safe, non-judgemental settings, while also signposting them to trusted support organisations and services. This league-wide support builds on a successful pilot programme involving 11 clubs last season.

At Aston Villa, the campaign is delivered as Supporting the Supporters, with the message ‘You support us. Let us support you’. The Club’s Together Against Suicide Hub operates at home Premier League fixtures, alongside wider awareness activity across Villa Park and digital channels.

We recognise the important role a football club can play within its local community. Villa Park welcomes thousands of supporters every matchday, providing an opportunity to reach people who may not otherwise engage with mental health or suicide prevention services.

Through Supporting the Supporters, Aston Villa aims to make conversations around suicide more visible and accessible, while ensuring supporters know where they can turn if they are struggling or concerned about someone else. The club will continue to strengthen its local partnerships and links with community services throughout the 2026/27 season, helping to create a more connected and supportive football community.

The wider Premier League campaign reflects the league’s commitment to using football to reduce stigma and help people affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts access support.

Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations, said: “It is very important to us as a club to be able to support the Together Against Suicide campaign. Many supporters feel Aston Villa and matchdays at Villa Park are an extension of their own families so, as members of the same family, we want to provide a safe and trusting environment for fans to seek the support they need, in a place they associate with great comfort and familiarity.”

Developed in partnership with suicide prevention charity Samaritans, and with support from broadcaster Roman Kemp and Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Together Against Suicide helps raise awareness of the information and expertise available to those who need it most.

The Department of Health and Social Care is also a partner in the Together Against Suicide initiative, working to tackle male suicide and increase access to and understanding of mental health support as part of its Men’s Health Strategy. This builds on the government's national Suicide Prevention Strategy which identifies actions to reduce lives lost to suicide.

Someone in the UK takes their own life every 90 minutes, while one in four people will experience suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. Through Together Against Suicide, the Premier League and its clubs aims to help more people recognise when someone may be struggling and provide them with the tools to feel confident starting a conversation that could make a difference.

Following the launch of Together Against Suicide in September 2025, Samaritans recorded up to 300 more callers to its national helpline each day. This increase in calls highlights the real impact that raising awareness can have.

Anyone who is struggling to cope, or is worried about someone else, can contact Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or visiting www.samaritans.org.

If you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis you can visit NHS 111 Online, or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24-hour urgent advice and support.