For the 25th anniversary re-recording of Stay Another Day by Waltham Forest Youth Choir and Tony Mortimer, we have partnered with CALM – The charity leading a movement against suicide. Here, Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, explains how the charity supports people at what can be a difficult time of year and how you can help…
Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some. That’s why we’ve partnered with Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 on the re-release of Stay Another Day, to share a positive message of togetherness and support over the festive period.
CALM stands for the Campaign Against Living Miserably, and we’re leading a movement against suicide. We offer life-saving services, we run campaigns that provoke national conversation and we bring people together to empower everyone to reject living miserably and stand together against suicide.
But why? Well, on average, 125 people in the UK take their own lives every week, with 75% of all suicide in the UK being male. We need to change these facts.
CALM runs a free and anonymous helpline and webchat service from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year, taking over 10,000 calls and webchats every month. In 2018, the highly-skilled professionals that man our helpline directly prevented 675 suicides.
Alongside these life-saving services, CALM aims to create more action across society, against suicide through multi-award winning campaigns like Project 84, which succeeded in getting millions talking and the government appointing the UK’s (and world’s) first Minister for Suicide Prevention.
CALM also brings people together with collective action around interest points like running, football, music, comedy and art to drive cultural change and empower communities to better support the mental health and wellbeing of themselves and those around them.
So, this festive period, share Stay Another Day with friends and colleagues. Check in on a mate or a family member. If there’s someone in your life that you’re worried about, tell them that CALM’s services are open all across the holidays.
Just £8 pays for a potentially life-saving call to CALM’s helpline. For more information, visit thecalmzone.net.
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Stay Another Day is out now to download, stream or purchase as a CD at stayanotherday.info. Help us to spread the word by using the hashtag #STAYANOTHERDAY on social media.