CALM's mission to prevent families losing a loved one
In the last decade, 6,929 young people in the UK have taken their own lives. Right now, suicide is the most common cause of death for those under the age of 24.
These aren’t just stats on a page. It’s Amelia. Sadil. Alex. Young people who never got to celebrate their next birthday. Each story a devastating reminder that suicide doesn’t care how young you are. Doesn’t care about all you could have been. Or all that was to come in your life. But we do; and everyone in society should.
"Missed Birthdays" is an installation by Campaign Against Living Miserably, raising awareness of the devastating reality of youth suicide in the UK.
The installation takes the 6,929 young people we’ve lost in the last decade/2012-2022* and uses balloons - a traditional symbol of celebration and hope - to represent that number and emphasise the tragic loss of young life. Ultimately, we want it to act as an urgent call to act now; to have the conversations today that will help more young people see tomorrow.
Following the installation, all the balloons will be donated to the Children’s SCRAP project to be used in arts and crafts.
Parent. Uncle. Teacher. Coach. We all have a role to play in keeping them safe. And CALM is here to help. The CALM C.A.R.E Kit provides you with the practical tools and resources you need to help you protect the young people in your life.