Prince William Opens Suicide Prevention Center in Latest Outing: See Photos

Prince William marked the start of Mental Health Awareness week with a visit to the new James’ Place centre in Birmingham, a facility dedicated to men's suicide prevention. The centre provides free therapy for men in suicidal crisis and has already established successful programmes in Liverpool, London and Newcastle. During his visit on May 11, the Princess of Wales said, “The team here are fantastic. I hope we can get more of you around the UK, because it is in need of it, sadly.”

William has championed the cause of men’s mental health since his tenure as an air ambulance pilot. During his visit to James’ Place, he highlighted the important role of early 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."

During the visit, William also met with staff, charity partners, and individuals who have received support from other James’ Place locations. “How nationally can you do it? I'm afraid I'm looking to you guys as the leading experts now in this case," the Prince of Wales noted, before adding, "The sky is the ceiling”. Mental health has consistently been at the forefront of William’s charitable efforts, and he remains deeply involved in raising awareness on the subject.

To commemorate the visit, William unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the facility. For the unversed, James’ Place was originally founded in memory of British actress Cressida Bonas’ brother-in-law, James Wentworth-Stanley, who took his own life at the young age of 21 in 2006. At the end of the visit, James' mother, Clare Milford Haven, thanked the Prince of Wales for his continued support of the organization. 

William and his wife, Kate Middleton, have long been associated with James’ Place. In fact, the now-Prince of Wales had opened the London centre of the organization in 2022. Last year, the centre was named among the five founding partners of the New National Suicide Prevention Network (NSPN), an initiative launched by the Royal Foundation. Supported by the Foundation, the centre is currently running two pilot satellite services for a year in the North East and North West of England, in an effort to expand access to free, life-saving therapy in community-based settings.