CALM, the charity created in response to the high suicide rate amongst young men, has entered a new era with the arrival of a Service Manager and two new Fundraisers.
The charity has unveiled plans to launch an innovative new text and online messaging service, expansion of their regional network of CALMzones, as well as new partnerships with the sports and the music industries.
CALM’s director, Jane Powell, said:
“This is a massive step forwards for us. The charity will gain even more impact fighting what is one of the biggest killers of young men in England and Wales.”
CALM’s new Service Manager is Dr Stephen Goss, who brings 25 years experience in the provision of support at a distance – via telephones, email, chat, texting and other technologies – from his work at the University of Abertay Dundee, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Online Therapy Institute.
CALM’s new Service Manager, Dr Stephen Goss, said:
“There is massive potential in using new technologies to reach out to people who might not otherwise contact support services in their time of need. Young men are too often taught to be silent in order to appear strong, but the truth is it takes even more strength to get to grips with problems and ask for help.”
The charity has appointed Kim Thornton and Grainne Buckley as Fundraisers to develop the charity’s ties with sports, in particular working with 5 a side leagues, as well as partnerships with the music industry, which has a long history of working with CALM via club nights and link ups with top artists like Sasha and Dizzee Rascal.
Working in partnership with some of the biggest names in music, sport and clubbing, CALM encourages young men to ‘open up’ and sort out their problems. CALM has built a strong presence through the internet, club flyers, posters, beer mats, gigs, comedy nights and in the media.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably is targeted at young men aged between
15-35. The campaign offers help, information and advice via a help line and
website. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or geographic location can call the
line.
The new posts have been made possible with the generous help of the Mark McQueen Foundation and the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Trust.
