Struggling Mentality During Summer: An Examination of Psychological Well-being in the Hotter Months
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Tackles Summer Suicide Epidemic
Every week in the UK, 125 people take their own lives, a statistic that is particularly high during the summer season. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to preventing suicide and providing life-saving support, is working tirelessly to combat this tragic trend.
Summer, despite its carefree image, can amplify feelings of loneliness, social pressure, and financial stress. Social media, with its constant stream of holiday snaps and social gatherings, can exacerbate feelings of isolation for those who struggle silently behind the scenes. The cost of living crisis, which affects one in two people and causes anxiety for many, also impacts mental health, particularly among young people. The lack of school structure and reduced access to school-based mental health services during summer increases vulnerability to suicide risk.
However, CALM believes that showing up in unexpected spaces with relatable messages can increase their reach. Music, a significant part of CALM's history and work, connects people, provides catharsis, and sometimes serves as a means of survival. CALM collaborates with artists to challenge stigma and create supportive communities.
The Power of Music and Creative Expression
Music and creative activities provide crucial outlets for emotional expression, reflection, and connection. Engaging in these pursuits can build confidence, foster a sense of purpose, and create supportive social connections, especially for teens who may find new peer groups aligned with their interests outside the school environment. Creative expression also encourages openness and honest conversation about mental health struggles, breaking down stigma and isolation.
Events like gigs and festivals not only bring joy but also create communities where people feel less alone, which can be life-saving during vulnerable times. CALM's "Money Talks" research showed that young people are struggling disproportionately due to the cost of living crisis, and these events are often out of reach for many.
CALM's Life-Saving Services
CALM offers free, confidential helpline, web chat, and WhatsApp support from 5pm to midnight every day. The charity has worked with individuals who have been bereaved or struggled themselves, totaling more than a million minutes of conversation on their suicide prevention helpline this year.
CALM's website (
In summary, summer's increased suicide rates stem from intensified social pressures, reduced protective structures, and financial hardships. Creative expression, including music, helps by offering emotional release, fostering connection, and creating supportive environments that can mitigate these risks. Join CALM in their mission to prevent suicide and support those who feel like they're not coping.
- CALM, recognizing the role of music and creative expression in offering emotional release and creating supportive communities, collaborates with artists to challenge mental health stigma and provide solace to those in need during summer, a time when feelings of loneliness, social pressure, and financial stress often increase.
- In addition to their life-saving services, including a free confidential helpline, web chat, and WhatsApp support, CALM also focuses on creating spaces for creative expression, recognizing that these pursuits can be a vital lifeline for those struggling with mental health issues, especially during thesummer months.
