How Wooden Spoon and the Rugby Family are Supporting Youth Mental Health
On World Suicide Prevention Day, organisations, communities, and individuals around the globe unite under the call to action: “Start the Conversation.”
Across the UK and Ireland, an estimated 3 million children and young people are experiencing mental health challenges, with 1 in 5 young people facing severe emotional distress. At Wooden Spoon, we believe that no young person should ever have to suffer in silence, navigate trauma alone, or feel that there is nowhere to turn.
By harnessing the power, camaraderie, and team spirit of the rugby family, Wooden Spoon works in partnership with local organisations and charities to fund life-changing projects. Together, we give children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage the chance to play, learn, thrive, and be safe.
Transforming Lives Through Rugby Partnerships
Through our grant-making work and national initiatives, we support projects that build resilience, tackle isolation, and create safe spaces for young people dealing with mental health recovery, trauma, and severe anxiety:
The Eikon Charity: Working with Surrey-based youth charity The Eikon Charity, Wooden Spoon supports targeted programmes that equip young people with coping mechanisms and vital life skills. By providing early intervention and supportive environments, Eikon helps young people build emotional strength, navigate personal struggles, and overcome mental health crises before they reach breaking point.
Premiership Rugby’s HITZ Programme: Through our support of the HITZ programme, we have seen firsthand how rugby can change, and save, lives. HITZ provides a lifeline for young people disengaged from education or struggling with profound grief and trauma. For young individuals like Michael, who struggled with thoughts of suicide following the loss of close family members, the HITZ programme provided a safe haven, dedicated mentorship, and a supportive team that helped him rediscover his purpose.
Brave Mind: Mental health awareness is at the heart of our community initiatives. We are proud to work alongside and support Brave Mind, an organization dedicated to putting mental health at the forefront of rugby clubs and educational institutions. From joining us at annual events like Vets Fest to delivering vital mental health workshops, Brave Mind helps normalize conversations around emotional wellbeing across the rugby community.
LooseHeadz & The Longest Game: Tackling the stigma surrounding mental health requires bold action. Wooden Spoon partnered with LooseHeadz, the rugby mental health charity, for record-breaking initiative “The Longest Games of Rugby“. By raising awareness on and off the pitch, this partnership reinforces a crucial message to players, coaches, and fans alike: it is okay not to be okay, and asking for help is a sign of strength.
Safe Spaces to Heal: Beyond sports programmes, Wooden Spoon has funded over 100 sensory spaces, quiet hubs, and wellbeing gardens across the UK and Ireland. Projects like dedicated school calm rooms and community sensory hubs give young people experiencing anxiety, bereavement, or sensory overload a calm, secure sanctuary to recharge and find peace.
Whether through pitch-side mentorship, community mental health support, or purpose-built sensory environments, Wooden Spoon remains dedicated to removing the barriers that prevent young people from thriving. On World Suicide Prevention Day, and every day, we encourage our rugby family to check in on their teammates, start open conversations, and support initiatives that give young people hope for the future.
Together, we are changing children’s lives through the power of rugby.