Families share the last photo of loved ones before they took their own lives
We team up with CALM for new campaign called Last Photo to challenge perceptions about suicidal feelings
Last updated 23rd Jun 2022
All of the people included in these images died by suicide within days of these photos being taken.
These heartbreaking pictures are going on display as new figures show 61% of people would struggle to tell if someone they knew felt suicidal.
To try and break the stigma around these conversations we're teaming up with CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) ahead of their major suicide prevention campaign.
With so many people not opening up about how they feel, the charity's "Last Photo" exhibition shines a light on the true face of suicide and hopes to open up conversations about dark thoughts and feelings.
Tragically 125 people currently die by suicide every week in the UK and the campaign is to raise awareness of the fact it can be hard - sometimes impossible - to notice that someone may be suicidal.
'The Last Photo' exhibition gets underway today (Wed 22nd June) on London's Southbank.
Get support: You can get advice, links to helpful organisations and CALM's dedicated phoneline on their website
The poignant outdoor gallery displays 50, 6.5 foot high, smiling photos taken the last few days before people took their own lives. It also shares the stories of shock, sadness and heartbreak their friends and families experienced.
The Last Photo exhibition is part of a new national campaign that not only aims to challenge the stigma and stereotypes that surround 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.
Public lack of understanding about suicide
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.
- Only 24% of people think that someone experiencing suicidal thoughts would also smile and joke
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, the research shows that stigma, fear, and a lack of understanding of how to help are 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.
- over half (51%) don’t feel confident in knowing how to help someone if they shared they were experiencing suicidal thoughts.
How to offer support to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts
The research shows that the most common approach for those trying to help 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 feel as if they are a burden.
- Only 19% say someone they love has checked in on them and their mental health in the last few days.
- A third (32%) saying no one has ever checked in on them and their mental wellbeing.
CALM hope that 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.
"Together we can smash stigma"
As proud supporters of the "Where's Your Head At?" Campaign heat radio was keen to support this important initiative.
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.”
Celebrities endorsing the campaign
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.”
Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing 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.”
Love Island winner Amber Gill 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.”
Pictures from the Last Photo exhibition
A photo installation is unveiled on London's Southbank showing the final photos taken of people before they took their own life by suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably.
Jamie Laing at the exhibition on the Southbank in London.
Amber Gill at the exhibition.
Families affected by suicide pose by the installation with photos of their loved ones.
Amber Gill and Jamie Laing at the exhibition on the Southbank in London
Find out more
For more information on the campaign, or for practical advice on how to take action and help spot the signs head to thecalmzone.net/thelastphoto
You can find out more about our Where's Your Head At? campaign on the campaign homepage.
We're calling for mental health first aid to be available in all workplaces, and for organisations to get clued up about why their staff or students' mental health is so important.
You can see some of our celebrity supporters here