Today, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) launch their new campaign. Across an exhibition on London’s Southbank, an emotional film and ads across TV, newspapers and out of home, It shows the last photos and videos of people before they took their own life. And that behind every smile is a tragic story of loss and despair that touches family, friends and communities.
Suicide doesn’t always look suicidal. As we are proudly, emotionally, an official partner of @calmzone I’m sharing this now. I cried a lot.
There are 4 reasons: I absolutely recognise this. The photos you’ll see of me in May 2017 are of me smiling. I was close to death. I nearly… Secondly, this was our wedding song. Our first dance. Next, I’m so proud to be connected to and helping CALM. This is the work we want to do. I want to do. Lastly, these are, sorry WERE (my god, the horror) fellow human beings. With families & friends. It is tragic. Heart rending.
Thank you to @ndrwdnhm who had that chat with me. Got me on the road to safety. I don’t know if I ever told him that. It’s too close to the bone to say. He’s a lovely man. Yep, crying again. Crying is ok. The memory of that pain never leaves you, but I’m glad because with it comes the happiness than I’m recovered and alive with my loved ones. At one point in my life I didn’t think that would happen.
125 die by suicide every week in the UK. Yet it can be hard - sometimes impossible - to notice that someone may be feeling suicidal.
The campaign shows that anyone can feel suicidal. But, crucially, that every one of us can help save a life. We want to use this campaign to help break the stigma around suicide and give everyone the tools to have a potentially life-saving conversation.
CALM can help you start these potentially life-saving conversations. Head to thecalmzone.net/thelastphoto to find out how you can help save a life.
Please watch the full video on the CALM website. If you need help or know someone who needs help right now, call 0800 58 58 58.
Nick
