On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has unveiled a powerful new installation at Westfield London, drawing attention to the urgent need for open conversations about suicide among young people. The installation, featuring thousands of birthday balloons, symbolises the tragic loss of young lives to suicide, with each balloon representing an age a young person never reached.
The stark installation, made possible by funding from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, highlights the growing crisis of youth suicide in the UK. With suicide now the leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-34, CALM’s new report reveals that nearly 6,929 young adults have tragically taken their own lives over the past decade.
Despite the severity of the issue, CALM’s research indicates that conversations about suicide between parents and their children are alarmingly infrequent. While 37% of parents or carers of 16-23-year-olds have discussed topics such as sex and relationships over the past year, only 21% have addressed the subject of suicide. This gap in dialogue is concerning, given that two-fifths of young adults aged 18-34 have experienced a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts in recent years.
The new CALM C.A.R.E. Kit, launched today, aims to address this gap by providing a free, evolving online resource designed to help adults engage in meaningful conversations about suicide with young people. The kit offers practical tools and guidance for discussing suicide in a supportive and non-threatening manner.
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, emphasised the importance of confronting the stigma surrounding suicide. “People worry that mentioning the ‘S’ word could put the thought in their loved ones’ minds. However, talking about suicide openly and appropriately is a proven tool for prevention,” Gunning said. “The CALM C.A.R.E. Kit is designed to foster positive discussions around mental health and suicide prevention, ultimately aiming to break the cycle of silence.”
The initiative has received support from several high-profile figures, including Shirley Ballas, Paige Turley, and Jamie Laing, who have joined the campaign to share their personal experiences with youth suicide. Paige Turley, who lost her friend Jamie to suicide in 2022, said, “Jamie never saw his 21st birthday. CALM’s campaign is a reminder of the importance of having open conversations with young people. We need to tackle this issue head-on to prevent more tragedies.”
The CALM C.A.R.E. Kit is part of a broader effort to improve mental health support and intervention for young people. Research commissioned by CALM reveals that a significant number of parents and carers feel ill-equipped to handle discussions about suicide, with 41% admitting they would not know where to turn if a child expressed suicidal thoughts.
Tarsem Dhaliwal, Group Chief Executive of Iceland Foods and Trustee of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, highlighted the importance of proactive engagement. “Addressing youth suicide is crucial. The Missed Birthdays installation and the CALM C.A.R.E. Kit provide valuable resources for starting these difficult conversations and ultimately saving lives.”
For more information on the CALM C.A.R.E. Kit and to access support resources, visit thecalmzone.net.
