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.
Despite progress made over recent years, stigma, fear, and a lack of understanding of how to help is stopping people in their tracks, preventing conversations that could save lives. A third (33%) of respondents say they would feel too awkward to ask if someone was feeling suicidal in case they misread the situation. While over half (51%) don’t feel confident in knowing how to help someone if they shared they were experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Examining how people might offer support should someone be struggling, the most common approach is to leave the door open for the person to talk - with two-thirds (68%) of people telling them to 'get in touch whenever they need'. This unfortunately puts the onus on the person struggling, who might not reach out as they might find it awkward, embarrassing, or be seen as being a burden. Sadly, only 19% say someone they love has checked in on them and their mental health in the last few days, with nearly a third (32%) saying no one has ever checked in on them and their mental wellbeing.
That’s why CALM is taking a stand and asking people up and down the country to help break the silence and smash the stigma around suicide, and get everyone talking about it. By equipping the nation to take collective action, either by starting a conversation, spotting the signs, or arming people with info to signpost to expert support, we can all do our bit in potentially saving a life.
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “People tend to think they already know what suicidal looks like - reclusiveness, crying, silence etc. - and if they don't see these traits in someone they’re worried about, they hesitate to intervene. In reality, suicidal behaviour takes many forms. People struggling can put on a mask concealing their inner turmoil before taking their own lives. CALM's aim is to highlight this fact and equip people to take collective action.
If we can all start one conversation with our friends and family about suicide, together we can smash the stigma that surrounds it. If you don't know what to say, or what to do if someone tells you they are struggling, then CALM has the resources to help. It might feel awkward to start with, but by starting a conversation today you really could help save a life.”
Shirley Ballas, TV personality and CALM ambassador said: “I can still feel the shock of the news running through my body, a cold and chilling feeling of disbelief when my brother died by suicide on the 5th of December all those years ago. A life lost that in my opinion could have been saved if we’d been more educated and understood more about communicating feelings. Through this campaign we want to help people get familiar with what signs to look out for if someone is struggling, and feel more confident about starting that conversation. Whether that's around the dinner table, in the pub, or in parliament, if we can make the conversation inescapable, we can all help to save a life.”
Jamie Laing, Made in Chelsea star said: “There’s no one way a person feeling suicidal will act - and we can all be masters of disguise. But by starting a conversation, we can all help stop suicide. That’s why we’re here to ask everyone to join us, unite against suicide and start talking about it. Because only by talking about it can we save lives. Together we can remove the stigma that surrounds suicide and make it an everyday conversation.”
Amber Gill, TV personality and influencer, said: “It’s not always easy to know when someone is feeling low but we need to trust our instincts and ask the question “how are you really doing”. The worst thing that can happen is a brief period of awkwardness vs years of regret. The more we talk openly about mental health and suicide, the less stigma surrounds it.”
The exhibition will be open to the public on Wednesday 22nd June to Sunday 26th June. Address: Riverside Central, London Southbank (Lambeth Council), SE1 9PP, https://goo.gl/maps/LZZSKuAJD66MGcB39
