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Why CALM?

In 2021, more people in England and Wales died by
suicide than the year before. As a suicide prevention organisation, that’s something we never want to have to say.

The Office for National Statistics released suicide data for England and Wales. It shows that 6.9% more deaths by suicide were registered than in 2020 - returning to pre pandemic levels. With men accounting for 75% of all suicides, and worryingly females under 24 showing the biggest increase since records began. Each of the 5,583 deaths registered in 2021 represents a real person. A life with hopes and dreams and people that loved them. We need to do more as a society to prevent suicide. And that message is more important than ever, slap bang in the middle of a cost of living crisis. Yesterday’s release reconfirms what organisations like CALM already know to be true. If we want these tragic numbers to decrease, real change is needed. Urgently.

What CALM do

Frontline services. 

Anyone can feel suicidal. So we need to be there
for everyone. From advice on our website about issues you might be facing; through to free, confidential chats with our helpline staff, online or on the phone, we’re here for anyone who’s struggling, every single day of the year. No matter what. 

Our helpline and webchat are open 365 days a year, offering practical suggestions for all of life’s problems - whether that’s anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts. Our staff answer a call every 59 seconds - they listen, talk and help people struggling with life to make a plan so they can begin to look to the future. We support those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP).

Communities

Together we’ll help our parents, siblings,
partners, friends and colleagues. We spread our message and facilitate, universities, pubs, clubs and prisons across the country – so that people feel empowered to share their experiences and get the help they need before they reach the point of crisis

Campaigns

At CALM we’re here to change the conversation on
mental health and suicide. To change the devastating statistic that 125 people a week take their own life in the UK. To unite the UK against suicide. 

We stand with the biggest and best organisations in the UK - partners like ITV, Dave, EA, Spotify, SEAT, LNER and many more enable us to reach millions and have helped us achieve amazing things, including the appointment of the world’s first ever minister for suicide prevention. And we have even bigger plans for the future. We want to show people we’re there for them every day. To help those who are left behind. And to get people talking. These campaigns cut through the noise of the increasingly busy mental health conversation. They challenge stereotypes and challenge the stigma that prevents people talking about suicide. And they use music, comedy, sport and anything in between to get that message across and to help people find the strength to seek help. Campaigns, like Project 84 and the Invisible Opponent, that speak to people and show change is possible and that suicide is preventable. 

Project 84 forced the world to stop, think and, most importantly, act. 84 life-size statues of men on top of the ITV buildings in London highlighted the fact that 84 men die by suicide each week in the UK. We  got millions talking about suicide in homes, workplaces and even Parliament. 400,000 people signed our petition for government action on suicide, and it resulted in the government appointing the world’s first ever Minister for Suicide Prevention.