CALM is on the Beeb, and we need you to tune in

Name: Campaign Against Living Miserably
Price range: $

We’re hitting the airwaves this weekend, with a 10-minute film hosted by our ambassador Jamie Laing, telling some of the real stories of the work we do. Stories of people who wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our helpline. Stories of people who have suffered the devastation of losing someone to suicide. Stories that show how vital it is that we reach more people.

Because that’s the thing, with 1 in 5 of us having suicidal thoughts, and 18 people dying by suicide each day, telling these stories is more important than ever.

So get your friends and family together and tune in this Sunday (10th December), or catch us on iPlayer. And, if you can help us, please donate through the BBC Appeal link here (whatever you're able to give will have double the life-saving impact, as all donations to the Appeal will be matched, up to a total of £25,000).

WATCH BBC APPEAL NOW

The film focuses on three people who have used CALM’s services.

Jade

Jade lost her Dad to suicide last year. In the months after his death, she developed PTSD, which has had an enormous effect on her daily life - stopping her from being able to travel on public transport. Struggling, Jade reached out to CALM’s WhatsApp service, looking for support. She is now a dedicated campaigner, working with us to stop other families from going through what she has. She lobbied her local council, leading them to make investments and changes, securing local infrastructure, to ensure that anyone who is struggling can get the help that they need, when they need it most.

Kirsty

Kirsty’s twin brother took his own life in 2017, aged just 23. The profound loss led to her struggling with her own mental health, feeling like she was alone and had no one to turn to. So she called CALM, reaching out to our helpline for support. Her experience as someone who is bereaved by suicide, as well as a service user, meant that she had valuable insights that could help the team, so she worked with us to use her story to contribute to product testing, helping us reach more people, more effectively.

Zachary

Zachary first developed anxiety in his second year of university. When lockdown happened, living in a new city, away from his friends and family, it got worse – to a point where doing daily things like taking the bins out became impossible. It took over his life, and when lockdown ended, he couldn’t leave the house, or see his friends. Zachary’s phone call to CALM was a turning point in his life. He explained his situation and struggles to a friendly voice, and it was the moment he began to ‘sort himself out’.