Arsenal to provide mental health drop-in on match days

Arsenal will introduce a matching match of match matches this season as part of the Premier League together against suicide.

In partnership with the North London NHS Foundation TrustThe club will organize confidential sessions at the Arsenal Hub for supporters who could be in crisis, with a particular accent on suicide prevention.

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The service begins with the home match against Manchester City on September 21 and will take place throughout the 2025/26 season.

A trust practitioner will be available at Arsenal hub, directly next to the Emirates stadium, two hours before kick -off during the match and for an hour later. No appointments will be required and supporters will also be offered information on local services for additional help.

The program is funded by the Premier League, which supports 11 clubs to test different approaches to suicide prevention this season. Arsenal’s initiative is based on a partnership with the trust, which extends over more than 15 years, during which Arsenal in the community, has given weekly sessions for adults with mental health diagnostics and mentorship programs for young people.

Current work includes advice for 14 to 24 years at Arsenal Hub in collaboration with the Brandon Center, as well as access to a qualified sports psychologist in women’s football programs.

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The scale of the challenge is austere. According to the Samaritans, 5,565 suicides were recorded in England in 2023, the men three times more likely to die by suicide than women. IsLington, the district of Arsenal’s house, has the second highest rate of diagnosed depression and serious mental illness in London.

The initiative was announced during the World Suicide Prevention Day and partly developed by the Arsenal supporter and disseminator Roman kempwho worked with the ancient Arsenal man and the current CEO of Tottenham Vinai Venkatesham.

Kemp, whose best friend Joe Lyons died by suicide in 2020, said: “As a person who felt the impact of suicide and spoke of feeling suicidal thoughts myself, I know that the feeling of community football can be used to help those who need it and help save lives.

“I am so proud to work on an initiative that puts compassion and connection to the heart of football and on something that I really believe to make a difference for fans who need it.”