We don’t talk about suicide enough. Because it feels like a big, scary topic. But it doesn’t need to be - and by starting conversations, we could start saving more lives.
We need to stop shying away from the facts so we can understand it, discuss it openly and break the stigma surrounding it.
The first fact we all need to remember is that anyone can feel suicidal.
But every single one of us can help save a life.
And, on average, 135 people are directly affected by each one of these suicides. Friends, family, loved ones, colleagues. These death's touch a lot of lives - with nearly a million people affected by suicide each year.
That’s why we’re asking everyone to take a stand against suicide, in whatever way they can. Because we believe suicide is not inevitable. And there are things we can all do to stop it.
Nine out of ten people who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide at a later date. And we want to show that things can change no matter how you’re feeling right now. That’s why we launched Stay - to share stories of hope and recovery that have the power to help others and remove the stigma about suicide.
We want everyone across the UK to know that someone wants them to stay.
To show there is always hope, always a reason for living. We’re here to tell anyone and everyone who can’t see a way out: “Things can change”. To say to them “Just stay”.
We want to show people that things can change, no matter how you feel right now. That there’s always a way forward.
That’s the CALM helpline number and it’s there every day of the year for anyone who needs us. It’s free, anonymous and staffed by trained professionals who can help if you’re suicidal.
And if you need us that number is here for you too.
It costs £8 to answer a potentially life-saving call to the CALM helpline.
