Sussex Cricket implements digital crisis intervention tool

Sussex Cricket Becomes First Cricket Club to Implement Digital Crisis Intervention Tool R;pple

Sussex Cricket has become the first cricket club to deploy R;pple, reinforcing its commitment to employee mental health and suicide prevention.

Sussex Cricket, the oldest professional sports club in the world and one of the eighteen first-class domestic county clubs within England and Wales, has announced the deployment of the R;pple browser extension across all staff computers, providing an extra layer of online protection for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

R;pple is an award-winning digital crisis intervention tool designed to intercept distressing internet searches related to suicide and self-harm. When a user searches for harmful content, R;pple discreetly intervenes, guiding them through a breathing exercise and signposting to free, 24/7 mental health support services and resources.

R;pple was founded by Alice Hendy MBE after she tragically lost her brother Josh to suicide at 21 years old. Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches. To date, the R;pple tool has over 1.9 million weekly active users across 49 countries and territories and has intercepted more than 100,000 harmful searches, saving countless lives to suicide. 

Sussex Cricket’s partnership with R;pple strengthens the club’s ongoing commitment to mental well-being, reinforcing a culture of safety, support, and proactive intervention.

Pete Fitzboydon, CEO of Sussex Cricket, commented: “The subject of mental health and suicide prevention is a subject very close to my heart, having lost my only brother in 2017. As such, I am committed to doing whatever we can to help those in need of support, which is so often hidden to even the closest friends, family and colleagues. 

"At Sussex Cricket we have a proud history of pioneering new initiatives and embracing innovation. Integrating R;pple into our existing mental health initiatives is a significant step in our mission to support the well-being of our staff. Deploying R;pple across our workstations creates a real safety net, ensuring that immediate support is available to anyone in need. We are proud to partner with R;pple on their vital mission to save lives and hope that our example will encourage other cricket clubs to follow suit.”

Alice Hendy MBE, R;pple Founder and CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Sussex Cricket Club as the very first cricket club to deploy R;pple. This partnership is particularly poignant for me, as Pete Fitzboydon is a fellow sibling who has also lost his brother to suicide. Although neither of us wanted to be a part of this group, it’s of comfort to know that our efforts will help to support others in their moment of crisis. I’m incredibly grateful to Pete, Sam Holder, and the team at Sussex Cricket for leading the way and being proactive in this important area to support their staff, team, and fanbase with their mental health.”