Note: Virtually Smart Ltd are not mental health professionals. If you are experiencing mental health concerns or have concerns for others, please do contact one of the mental health charities listed at the bottom of this article or contact your GP/Doctor.
It is a blisteringly hot day in July, so is this the right time to bring up the subject of suicide? Is there ever a right time?
I remember seeing a social media post during Mental Health Awareness week this year from an ex-marine who has lost friends to suicide & he simply said “Mental health awareness week. Be aware for a week then forget about it!!” & I feel he has a point.
People are so busy these days, the UK is facing an economic crisis, Covid cases are rising dramatically, the price of fuel is impacting on lives, adding costs to everything from bread to bananas.
However, when social media users have an observed day to focus on, or a social issue to distract them; posts are liked/loved/shared, there is a momentary connection & then the moment is past, until the next social issue creates another connection to a cause. (I am aware that this is a generalisation, it is a personal observation)
Social issues do not simply go away. Social issues are an everyday challenge for millions of people in the UK & around the world & for some it is just too much.
Statistically 125 people take their own lives in the UK each week. The Office for National Statistics shows that 5,224 suicides were registered in 2020 in England & Wales, with men accounting for three-quarters of them.
Therefore, again, why on a really hot day in July am I focusing on this social taboo? Well for just this reason, because it still is a social taboo & sometimes people need something to shake these taboos loose & enable conversation.
I recently read about a project which CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) have put together called The Last Photo. The project is aimed at highlighting that suicide doesn’t look like suicide. CALM in collaboration with families, exhibited the last photographs of 50 smiling people on large boards along the South Bank in June 2022. The Last Photo is just that, the last photograph of these people before they took their own lives.
I did not get to see the exhibition on the South Bank, I saw it on … social media & it made me want to read more about it. It is heart-breaking to see all of those smiling faces & it really brought home to me that sometimes you just cannot tell how unhappy someone really is.
CALM say:
The problem is that people tend to think they already know what suicidal looks like – reclusiveness, crying, silence – and if they don’t see these traits in someone they’re worried about, they hesitate to intervene. (2)
In reality, suicidal behaviour takes many forms. People can seem happy but are in fact concealing an inner turmoil. Our aim with this campaign is to remind people of that fact and equip them with the tools they need to stop suicide even when the so-called signs are hard to see. (2)
Anyone can be fighting their own internal battles so it’s vital we create a culture where they can open up and talk about it before it’s too late. (2)
So, how can we all help break down the social taboos surrounding suicide? CALM have some really helpful advice on their website (see below) but one of their key messages is:
“Talking saves lives”
“It might sound simple, but it really does. So, we need to make talking about suicide a normal part of how we look after each other and ourselves. To remove that stigma around it so people are more likely to ask for help and for people to be able to help those they’re worried about” (3)
If you are finding things tough or you are worried about a friend/family member/colleague; then please do reach out to one of the charities or support networks listed below.
Samaritans. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 Free. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably. Need help? Call the helpline 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year 0800 58 58 58 https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Papyrus – for people under 35 Call 0800 068 41 41 – 9am to midnight every day Text 07860 039967 Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Childline – for children and young people under 19
Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill
Written by Katy-Jane for & on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2020registrations
- https://www.thecalmzone.net/why-we-need-to-talk-about-suicide-the-lowdown
- https://www.thecalmzone.net/thelastphoto
NB: Virtually Smart Ltd are not mental health professionals. If you are experiencing mental health concerns or have concerns for others, please do contact one of the mental health charities listed at the bottom of this article or contact your GP/Doctor.
