CALM have teamed up with Netflix for the launch of the third and final series of the brilliant After Life. Together we’re here to share exclusive chats with the cast, a film about the way the show deals with grief – and where to find one of the 25 benches we’ve put up around the country to encourage people to talk. Most importantly, we also have help and advice if you’re struggling.
After Life x CALM: Hope is Everything
Grief. Even though it’s something we all have to go through, it doesn’t make talking about it any less tough. But it’s so important we do.
“I don’t think any harm can come from discussing taboo subjects – if we don’t, they stay taboo because people are scared to talk about them,” says Ricky. “After Life let people talk about grief, and it was so good to start the conversation.”
He’s not wrong. After Life – equal parts moving, poignant and heartbreaking (as well as laugh-out-loud funny) – explores the different ways we all cope with grief in a way that millions have related to.
We’ve watched as Tony navigates the devastating loss of his wife and we’ve seen him decide, day by day, to keep living and try to rebuild his life. Like we try to do at CALM, the show has helped people to stop feeling ashamed or embarrassed about discussing their emotions. It’s a show that makes you think about your own life, how you handle tragedy, what it all means and what’s important to you.
It’s showed that, yes, grief does hit you like a ton of bricks, but talking openly, in a real way, about how you’re feeling does actually really help. And in this series it shows that hope is everything.
THE AFTER LIFE CAST BREAKING DOWN GRIEF AND REAL LIFE HEARTBREAK
After Life is a show that at its core is about love, relationships and how we cope when everything goes away. In this video Ricky, Tony Way, Kerry Godliman, and Jo Hartley talk about grief in the show, what it means to lose somebody, and how they have dealt with grief in their own lives.
Here to help you deal with grief
There’s no one way to experience grief, and definitely no right way. You may cry at the death of an animal, but struggle to express yourself after the loss of a family member or friend.
Like After Life shows, grief doesn’t always make sense, and how you feel can change from day to day or hour to hour. It’s common to hear the saying ‘time is a healer’ or words to that effect, but grief isn’t something you ‘get through’. It can resurface years after a loss and can feel just as intense. Having someone to support us when we’re experiencing grief is important, as is being able to talk openly about how you feel.
WHAT AFTER LIFE TEACHES US ABOUT GRIEF
Talking about grief can feel really tough. If you’re experiencing feelings of loss and grief, you can contact the CALM helpline. We’re here every day, 5pm-midnight, with free, confidential and practical support on 0800 58 58 58 or through our webchat.
And we have loads of advice and help here too.
"Hope Is Everything"
If you watch After Life you’ll know the bench in the graveyard plays a pivotal part in the show. It’s where Tony talks to Anne, his graveside confidante. They’ve both experienced grief and they meet up regularly – Anne is the one person Tony can let his guard down with, can open up to and be himself.
And we know talking to someone you trust really can help. Opening up about to your mates or family is not an easy thing to do. But starting that conversation can be the start of getting the support you need. By helping them better understand and support you, you’re giving you – and them – the best chance of doing that.
We know benches are a place where you can reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest. So we’ve worked with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, “Hope is everything” – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.
Stay
Tony is distraught but we’ve seen him make the choice to live, again and again – and, by taking small steps, has decided to stay.
After Life shows, no matter what you go through, that there is always hope, always a reason for living. And that’s why we launched Stay – to show you that things can change, no matter how you feel right now. From our helpline and the stories of our supporters we know that one word, one reason, one moment of closeness, can mean another day alive.