61% of people would struggle to tell if someone they knew felt suicidal, reveals suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), as part of a new national campaign that shines a light on the true face of suicide. Today, the suicide prevention charity unveils 'The Last Photo' exhibition on London's Southbank. The poignant outdoor gallery displays 50, 6.5 foot high, smiling photos taken in the last days of people who took their own lives and shares the stories of shock, sadness and heartbreak their friends and families experienced.
Tragically 125 people currently die by suicide every week in the UK, yet it can be hard - sometimes impossible - to notice that someone may be suicidal. The Last Photo exhibition is part of a new national campaign that not only aims to challenge the stigma and stereotypes surrounding suicide to help get the nation talking about it but also equip the people with practical tools to take action and help save a life.
New research conducted by YouGov for CALM has uncovered new insights into the public's understanding of suicide, reveals 61% would struggle to tell if someone they knew felt suicidal. While only 24% of people think that someone experiencing suicidal thoughts would also smile and joke and just 22% of those polled would share happy photos on social media. The reality is that suicidal behaviour takes many forms, with many who are struggling putting on a mask to disguise their inner turmoil.
