The Prince of Wales launched a new men’s suicide prevention centre in Birmingham on Monday, using the occasion to call for greater openness around discussing suicide.
William officially opened the James’ Place facility during Mental Health Awareness Week, marking the fourth location he has inaugurated for the charity following centres in Liverpool, London and Wales.
“The team here are fantastic,” William said. “I hope we can get more of you around the UK, because it is in need of it, sadly.”
The prince stressed the importance of earlier intervention, stating: “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.”
Prince William made a heartfelt plea as he opened a new crisis centre today
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During his visit, William met staff, charity partners and individuals who have received support from James’ Place at other locations.
Former service-users who met the prince described him as approachable and genuinely engaged with their stories.
Marcus Davies, a trustee at the charity from The Wirral in Merseyside, remarked: “(William) was surprisingly normal, actually. I think when we sat down and got into the conversation, he was surprisingly normal, very relaxed, very open and interested in what we had to say.”
Ben Brand, who made the journey from Bedford for the opening, echoed this sentiment: “We were very nervous to begin with, but once he got in the room and sat down, it relaxed very quickly. It was like just talking to anybody, really. You wouldn’t think you were speaking to the prince, the future King. It was just speaking to another man, just having a chat.”
Prince William pictured during the official opening of James’ Place Birmingham
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The charity was established in 2008 by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley following the death of their son James, who took his own life at the age of 21.
This year marks two decades since James Wentworth-Stanley died by suicide, just 10 days after undergoing a minor operation, having been unable to access the support he required for severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
James’ Place was created to spare other families from experiencing similar loss. The charity’s approach centres on rapid intervention for men experiencing crisis.
Mr Brand explained the significance of this speed: “From my experience, it was less than 48 hours before sending a referral in and being in crisis to actually being sat in front of therapist. I then subsequently had eight sessions after that, every week.”
The charity aims to provide free, rapid-access therapy and life-saving support for men in suicidal crisis
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He emphasised that such swift access to quality care is unavailable elsewhere, describing it as “vital, crucial, really” and “the life-saving part” of the service.
Mr Davies spoke even more directly about the charity’s impact on his life: “It was rapid, it gave me what I needed when I needed it. I didn’t have to wait on a waiting list. I’m confident enough to say that I wouldn’t be here had I not had the intervention when I had it.”
Both men highlighted how William’s involvement could extend the charity’s reach to those who need it most.
Mr Davies noted he had never heard of James’ Place before his GP referred him, adding: “It’s so important that men know that it is there and available as a service to help those that need it.”
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.