Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, an important time when we can all come together and highlight the life-saving services that are available for anyone going through a difficult time in their life.
But, at CALM, every day is suicide prevention day. Right now our life-saving services are needed more than ever but - no matter what - we’ll continue to be there for whoever needs us - so that everyone is able to ask for the help they need, no matter who they are, where they’re from, and whatever their background.
And we all have a role to play in pushing for a more open society - one where suicide prevention is a daily priority and where people feel able to seek support at the earliest possible stage. That’s why CALM is a movement against suicide. This is everybody’s issue: we all go through difficult times in life and the feelings and emotions that come with that are something that unites us.
We need everyone to join us in our Campaign Against Living Miserably. Because when we’re united we’re stronger and we can do incredible things. We’re in this together. And we’ll do this together. Now, today and tomorrow - united against suicide. So here’s a few things we can all do to look after ourselves, our mates, and, well, everyone.
1. Share this video
At CALM every single day our helpline workers are there to make sure there are more tomorrows, to help prevent a life being lost. The unprecedented demand we’ve faced means our staff have answered a call every 66 seconds since Lockdown started. It means right now our life-saving services are needed more than ever but - no matter what - we’ll continue to be there for whoever needs us. Share this video and help to raise awareness of our life-saving services. Find it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
2. Check in on a mate
Check in on the people around you: listen to what they’re saying, let them know you’re there for them and be available and trust your instincts. Drop them a text, have a chat, or just send a silly Gif you've seen - it could make all the difference to their day.
We need to make this an everyday conversation: normalise saying you’re feeling crap or having a really tough day/week/2020. And listening if someone you know says the same
3. Walk against suicide
The Lost Hours Walk is back, and this year you can walk against suicide wherever you are in the country. We’re coming together from every corner of the UK to deal with grief differently and defiantly, and to remember our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, partners and friends.
125 people take their own lives every single week in the UK. We’re walking to send a message that that’s not ok. This October, join us as we walk forward, together against suicide with our communities, family and friends. Whether you take on 5, 15, or 26 miles, you’ll be walking with hundreds of others, from Inverness to St Ives and everywhere in between.
This October, walk against struggling in silence, against being alone, against living miserably. Wherever you are, and whether you’ve lost someone to suicide, struggled with your own mental wellbeing, or want to smash the silence around suicide in the UK, be part of it. It’s time to Walk Against Suicide. Join us.
4. Donate to our helpline
Five months have passed since the government announced lockdown in the UK. In this time the CALM helpline answered 58,347 calls and chats and directly prevented 222 suicides.
That’s over 10,000 hours talking to people and 526,070 chat messages exchanged around topics such as isolation, anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, financial stress and suicidal thoughts.
Right now our life-saving services are needed more than ever and - no matter what - we’ll continue to be there for whoever needs us. So, if you can, help fund a potentially life-saving call by donating £8 today.
5. Help us flatten the curve
The pandemic has been tough for all of us. Together we need to flatten the curve for everyone struggling with their mental health.
We all have an active role to play in flattening the curve for a nation struggling with its collective mental health. Each and every one of us has to take action for ourselves and for others.
We have created practical, easy to carry out steps to help us achieve our mission. Whether it’s by donating money, educating yourself, pushing the government to do more or normalising the conversations around all of this, there are many ways to join in our campaign to flatten the mental health curve. Find out more here.
Get support
Need support? Worried about someone? CALM’s helpline and webchat are open daily 5pm-midnight. Get access here.
Have you been affected by suicide? The Support After Suicide Partnership is a hub for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, where you can find emotional and practical support.