CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably, is a leading mental health charity in the UK whose aim is to provide support to everyone so that nobody reaches crisis point. 2020 has been an extremely challenging year and now more than ever we need to take care of our mental health.

As we make our way into 9 months of Covid-19 restrictions CALM’s life-saving services continue to be essential for so many people. Since the first UK wide lockdown the CALM helpline has answered 99,186 calls and chats and directly prevented 323 suicides. That’s over 16,800 hours talking to people and 934,481 chat messages exchanged around topics such as isolation, anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, financial stress and suicidal thoughts.

With the help of our amazing supporters such as the Spring4 team we’ll continue to be there for whoever needs us - no matter what.

- Rachel Tysh, CALM

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More about CALM

CALM has been supporting those struggling since launching in 1997. Their free and confidential helpline and webchat is for anyone who needs to talk about problems they are currently facing. Additionally, the charity frequently produces content to help individuals look after their own mental wellbeing and support their friends. For example, advice on how to cope with the new restrictions, ways to communicate with your friends or colleagues when they are struggling and support for getting through the festive period.

CALM has created a fantastic community where people have felt empowered to share their stories to help others in similar situations. They have been instrumental in campaigning to raise awareness and change the stigma surrounding mental health. One of their most notable campaigns was #Project84 where CALM partnered with artist Mark Jenkins to create 84 individual sculptures, each one a poignant reminder of a life lost and a call to society to take a stand against male suicide. As part of #Project84, a petition was launched to call on the Government to deliver ministerial responsibility for suicide prevention and bereavement support. The petition succeeded and the first Minister for Suicide Prevention was appointed in October 2018. This is just one example of CALM’s extremely vital work and why we believe they are an excellent charity to support.

This year we have decided to make a donation to CALM instead of sending Christmas cards and in 2021, the team are looking forward to taking on a fundrasing challenge and would be grateful for any support.

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