Key Points
- Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) has partnered with mental health charities Samaritans and Mind in Haringey to launch a new campaign titled ‘To Talk Is to Do’ aimed at preventing suicide and tackling mental health stigma in North London.
- The campaign features a powerful short film on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwJYqdKiEWw&t=29s) depicting a young Spurs fan struggling with mental health, symbolised by a white phone box representing a call to Samaritans; the film includes Brentford head coach Thomas Frank, Tottenham women’s head coach Martin Ho, and first-team players.
- This initiative forms part of the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ programme, co-created by Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham and broadcaster Roman Kemp.
- Spurs’ partnership with Mind in Haringey includes a matchday mental health support service launched in September, which has received over 100 contacts and made potentially life-saving interventions.
- The film stars local figures such as Vicky Alvarez, chair of the Seven Sisters Market Traders Association, filmed at recognisable locations like the recently refurbished Seven Sisters Market and the Antwerp Arms, Tottenham’s only community-owned pub.
- New research from Tottenham Hotspur reveals barriers to seeking help: 20% of people find the festive period tougher than last year (24% in London), 28% do not know how to start a conversation, and 32% feel their struggles are not serious enough.
- The campaign activates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20th December 2025, during the Spurs vs Liverpool match, with a white phone box for photos, helpline cards distributed to fans, and the slogan ‘To Talk Is To Do’ promoted.
- Statistics highlight the urgency: one in four people experience suicidal thoughts, and someone in the UK takes their own life every 90 minutes.
- Statements from key figures: Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham emphasises breaking stigma using the Premier League platform; Samaritans executive director Sonya Trivedy stresses the importance of opening up, noting over a quarter of a million calls answered last festive period.
What Is the ‘To Talk Is to Do’ Campaign?
The ‘To Talk Is to Do’ campaign represents Tottenham Hotspur’s latest commitment to mental wellbeing, forged through collaborations with Samaritans and Mind in Haringey. At its core lies a short film available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwJYqdKiEWw&t=29s), which follows a young Spurs supporter tormented by mental health struggles. He repeatedly encounters a white phone box—a stark symbol of the Samaritans helpline call he hesitates to make.
Featuring prominent figures such as Brentford men’s head coach Thomas Frank and Tottenham women’s head coach Martin Ho, alongside first-team players, the film powerfully conveys that a simple conversation can be transformative. Filming occurred at iconic local spots, including the Antwerp Arms—Tottenham’s sole community-owned pub—and the Seven Sisters Market, recently refurbished after five years (as covered in Haringey Community Press).
Vicky Alvarez, chair of the Seven Sisters Market Traders Association and a fixture at the market since 2000, appears in the film. She has been instrumental in transforming the market into a vibrant hub for Tottenham’s Latin community, as noted in reports from Haringey Community Press on 7 October 2025.
This effort builds on Spurs’ ongoing partnership with Mind in Haringey, which introduced a matchday mental health support service in September 2025. Since its inception, the service has fielded over 100 contacts, including potentially life-saving interventions.
Who Co-Created the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ Initiative?
As reported across multiple sources covering the launch, Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham co-created the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ initiative alongside broadcaster Roman Kemp. Venkatesham emphasised the campaign’s mission in a statement: “At Spurs, we want to break the stigma that exists around people not reaching out for the support they need for fear of being judged.
“Premier League football and its clubs benefit from a huge platform to demonstrate how making that first call for help can make all the difference. We are extremely proud to be working alongside Samaritans to convey this message.
“We hope the release of today’s film, the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign, and the further activity we have planned sparks conversations amongst football fans up and down the country ahead of Christmas – support is there for you if you need it, so do not hesitate to speak to someone for help.”
Sonya Trivedy, executive director of external engagement at Samaritans, reinforced this in her comments: “One in four of us will have suicidal thoughts so it’s vital we tackle the stigma that prevents people from seeking support. That’s why we’re proud of our work with Tottenham Hotspur, which encourages us all to open up if we’re struggling.
“Sharing how you feel when you’re in crisis can seem scary, but that first conversation is the most important one. Last year, Samaritans answered more than a quarter of a million calls for help over the festive period and our volunteers are ready to take your call 24/7 if you’re struggling this winter, even on Christmas Day, so you don’t have to face things alone.”
What New Research Highlights Barriers to Mental Health Support?
Accompanying the film is fresh research commissioned by Tottenham Hotspur, shedding light on obstacles to seeking help. The findings reveal that 20% of respondents find the festive period more challenging than last year, escalating to 24% among Londoners. Among those reluctant to call for support, 28% cited uncertainty about starting the conversation, while 32% believed their issues were not severe enough.
These insights, drawn from the club’s study, align with the campaign’s focus on normalising help-seeking, particularly as Christmas approaches—a time when isolation can intensify.
How Will the Campaign Activate at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Fans will experience the campaign firsthand during Spurs’ home match against Liverpool on Saturday, 20th December 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A white phone box installation will invite photo opportunities, helpline cards will be distributed to local supporters, and the slogan ‘To Talk Is to Do’ will permeate the event.
This activation aims to translate the film’s message into action, encouraging immediate conversations amid the holiday buzz.
Why Is This Campaign Urgent Amid Rising Mental Health Challenges?
The timing could not be more critical. With one in four people experiencing suicidal thoughts and a suicide occurring every 90 minutes in the UK, the campaign addresses a public health crisis. Spurs’ platform amplifies Samaritans’ 24/7 availability, especially vital over the festive season when Samaritans handled over 250,000 calls last year.
Local ties, such as the Mind in Haringey partnership and community filming locations, root the initiative in North London’s fabric, fostering trust and accessibility.
What Broader Impact Does Spurs’ Mental Health Work Have?
Tottenham Hotspur’s efforts extend beyond this launch. The matchday service’s 100+ contacts since September demonstrate tangible impact, with interventions that may have averted tragedies. By embedding mental health support into matchdays and leveraging stars like Thomas Frank and Martin Ho, Spurs normalises vulnerability in a high-stakes sporting culture often dominated by resilience narratives.
Vicky Alvarez’s involvement further personalises the message, highlighting grassroots heroes. As chair of the Seven Sisters Market Traders Association, her presence underscores the market’s role as a community anchor, recently celebrated in Haringey Community Press for its reopening.
The Antwerp Arms’ feature celebrates community ownership, reinforcing that mental health is a collective concern.
How Does the Film Symbolise the Call for Help?
The short film’s narrative hinges on the white phone box, a recurring motif for the Samaritans helpline. The young fan’s avoidance mirrors real hesitations—28% unsure how to begin, per the research—culminating in a call to action: to talk is to do.
