Campaign Against Living Miserably

Information updated July 2006

Simon Howes
Calm Development Co-ordinator
Email: simon.howes@liverpoolpct.nhs.uk ||| Tel: (0151) 707 1555 x 106

What is Calm?

The Campaign Against Living Miserably is targeted at young men aged between 15-35 because suicide is the biggest single killer of this group. The campaign offers help, information and advice via a phone and web service. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or geographic location can call the line.

The campaign was launched as a pilot by the Department of Health in Manchester on 15th December 1997 and on Merseyside in March 2000 in response to high rates of suicide amongst 15-35 year old men. As of 31st March 2006 CALM is now a national charity, however it continues to work on a regional basis and Merseyside is the flagship CALMzone.

Working with people from the music, sport and club scenes, CALM encourages young men to 'open up' and sort out their problems. CALM has a strong and very real presence through club flyers, posters, beermats, gigs and in the media.

There are many reasons why young men need a campaign like CALM. Everyone has their own life, with different interests, circumstances, pressures and problems. But men aren't supposed to talk about stuff, so it can be hard to know where or who to go for help when life gets on top of them. There is pressure on men to deal with problems on their own. To be strong and silent. It can be hard to talk about personal things - especially with family or friends - and things that start off as little niggles can easily grow into big issues that get in the way of life.

CALM's helpline is staffed by trained advisors, who can help callers work through their problems and start to sort things out. They can give information about places to go locally to get more help. Alternatively, if a caller lives outside a CALMzone, they can give details of nationally available services instead.

CALM addresses the Public Service Agreement of reducing suicides by 20% by 2010. It is aligned with the National Service Framework for Mental Health Standards 1, 3 and 7, and is cited in the NSF as a model of good practice.

Responsibility for implementation of the National Service Frameworks lies with local health commissioners and CALM receives financial support from Merseyside Health Action Zone and various other health and social care commissioners on Merseyside.

CALM is committed to reducing health inequalities and improving access to services for vulnerable groups, particularly young men aged 15-35.

For CALM's response to the Dept of Health "Reaching Out" report regarding Young Men & Suicide please go to: www.thecalmzone.net/tune_in/articles/Default.aspx?id=54

The Service

The helpline is operational between 5pm and 3am every day of the year. Calls are free (from landlines) and confidential and anonymous (see policies section of our website). A minicom service is available on 0800 027 2982. There is also a language line facility operational on the line. On-line chat to a Call Advisor is now available from 5pm to 11am every day for those who prefer to type rather than speak.

The Charity

CALM the charity, registration number 1110621, was formed in 2005 to take over responsibility for running the Department of Health pilot. Those who had been involved in the campaign felt that rather than see the pilot end, the service should be developed and made available for all young men. Consequently the charity has been working in parallel with the Department of Health to develop and expand the service.

They have now succeeded in securing funding to continue CALM's work and are working hard to develop new CALMzones across the country, using the lessons learnt on Merseyside. For more information please go to: www.thecalmzone.net/info/what_is_calm.aspx

For further information visit: www.thecalmzone.net
CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58 ||| 5.00pm - 3.00am, 365 days a year

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