Supporting Suicide Prevention Through Badminton: A Cumbria Success Story
Creating supportive club environments is about more than sport. It's about looking after one another on and off the court. This September, Cumbria Badminton Association used World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) as an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental wellbeing across the county's badminton community.
The association shared a message with clubs, players, coaches and volunteers highlighting the importance of checking in with teammates, friends and fellow club members. The campaign encouraged simple but meaningful conversations and reinforced the message that everyone has a role to play in looking out for one another.
In partnership with Cumbria United Against Suicide
As part of the initiative, members were signposted to free online suicide prevention awareness training provided by Cumbria United Against Suicide, helping individuals gain the confidence and knowledge to recognise when someone may be struggling and understand how they can offer support. Watch the Cumbria United video here: Watch Video →
The topic was also discussed at the Cumbria Badminton Association AGM, where clubs were encouraged to consider how they can promote positive wellbeing within their own environments. Following the AGM, the association further promoted the training and encouraged clubs to share it widely with players, coaches, safeguarding officers and wellbeing leads.
This initiative demonstrates how badminton clubs can contribute to creating healthier, more connected communities. While sport cannot replace professional support services, clubs are often places where people build friendships, develop support networks and feel a sense of belonging. By encouraging awareness and signposting to available resources, clubs can make a positive difference to the wellbeing of their members.
Key actions clubs can take:
- Encourage members to check in with teammates and fellow club members.
- Promote available mental health and suicide prevention resources.
- Share training opportunities with coaches, safeguarding officers and volunteers.
- Create welcoming, inclusive environments where people feel connected and supported.
- Include wellbeing as a regular agenda item at club and county meetings.
Cumbria Badminton Association's work provides a simple but effective example of how the badminton community can support wider wellbeing initiatives and help ensure that nobody feels they have to struggle alone.
“We are so excited to have Cumbria Badminton as part of our Cumbria United suicide prevention initiative. The rates of suicide in Cumbria are around twice the national average, and we need to change this. The sport and physical activity community is such a protective factor for so many people and as organisations like Cumbria Badminton join us on our journey to reduce the stigma around suicide we able to equip more and more people to have those conversations that could potentially save lives.”
— Liz Wright, Sports Welfare Officer for Cumbria United
“Badminton brings people together, but the real strength of our sport is the community around it. As a player and welfare officer, I know that many people rely on their club not just for physical activity, but for friendship, connection, and support. That's why it is so important that we continue to raise awareness of mental wellbeing and suicide prevention. We all have a role to play in looking out for one another and helping ensure no one feels they are facing difficulties alone.”
— Georgina Hubberstey, Welfare Officer and Committee Member, Cumbria Badminton Association
For more information on local wellbeing and suicide prevention resources, clubs are encouraged to explore the support available within their own communities and partnerships as well as via Badminton England support and resources.