The campaign against living miserably (CALM) was set up to reduce the high suicide rate amongst men under 35, currently the single biggest killer of young men in the UK. It is a campaign and charity targeting young men with a helpline, magazine and online community, but CALM listens to anyone who needs help or support.
Men are three times more at risk of suicide than young women – in 2010 75% of suicides were men. But while smoking and knife crime make the headlines, suicide is the biggest killer. Most men who take their own lives aren’t in contact with any other agency, and don’t identify with much out there. When asked, what they indicated they wanted was practical, anonymous, confidential help from professionals. Which is why CALM was formed.
CALM began as a Dept. of Health pilot in 1997. It was formed as a charity in 2006 with the support of music impresario and trustee Tony Wilson, who recognised the importance of its vision.
How CALM works
There are many reasons why young men need a campaign like CALM. Everyone has their own life, with different interests, circumstances, pressures and problems. But men aren’t supposed to talk about stuff, so it can be hard for them to know where or who to go to for help when life gets on top of them.
CALM promotes and delivers a free, confidential, anonymous helpline and website targeted at oung men, though CALM will listen to anybody who needs advice or support, regardless of age, gender or geographic location.
CALM publishes the CALMzine, a bi-monthly magazine distributed across Topman stores and select venues across inner London. CALM also have a lively website full of articles to fire you up, make you think, and stories about the exploits of CALM and our supporters. We’re into Twitter and Facebook too – come and join us online.
CALMzones
A CALMzone is an area where we work with the local authorities to promote CALM within their area under a Service Agreement. Our local CALMzone Coordinators work with local clubs, community, music and entertainment industries to promote the campaign to young men and provide them with local as well as national information. We have over 10 years experience of this work in Merseyside, and currently are the first port of call of men under 35 who are feeling stressed.
Since we’ve been operating in Merseyside the number of young male suicides has dropped by 55% from 1999-2009 – more than the general decrease regionally and nationally by 20%. There are three CALMzones at present: East Lancs, Merseyside, and inner London – find out more about our CALMzones, and how you can work with CALM, below.
Talk to CALM
The helpline is open 5pm-midnight on Sat, Sun, Mon and Tues, every week of the year.
Call 0808 802 5858 within London – or if you’re outside London call 0800 585858. It’s free, confidential and anonymous.
Text 07537 404717, start your first text ‘CALM1’ (service only available within London, until we get more funding). We don’t charge, but your network might.
For more info, get in touch with CALM today
Join the buzz on www.facebook.com/theCALMzone and www.twitter.com/theCALMzone
Email info@theCALMzone.net
Or write to CALM, PO Box 68766, London SE1P 4JZ.
