Simon Gunning CEO - Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Today, behind a door of a locked down-home, just miles of where you are now, someone will take their own life.

As we emerge from lockdown-3 to face a world of 'haves' and' have nots', he or she won't be alone.

Charities across the UK are calling the mental health crisis the  ‘second pandemic.

In the first six months after lockdown, from March to November 2020, London Ambulance Service recorded 15,541 calls relating to suicide or attempted suicide. That compares to 11,703 calls over the same period in 2019. 

The figures do not take into account the most recent, lockdown which many suggest is having an even graver effect on deteriorating mental health.

In this episode of Thought and Leaders, Jonathan Gabay talks to Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM about the rise of suicide rates - especially affecting men.

The discussion covers everything from the threat of unemployment post-COVID-19, expectations on families struggling to cope, the worrying increase in suicide and self-harm within the 16-24 age group, as well as LGBTQ+ community, and much more.

As CEO  Simon has overseen  CALM transform its brand and operations, and more than double its helpline service provision to reach more people in crisis.

(Latest studies predict that up to 10 million people in England will need new or additional mental health support due to COVID-19).

Prior to CALM, Simon led the digital, marketing and commercial divisions of Virgin Media TV, EMI Music, the BBC, Bacardi and BBH. His time in music has seen him work with some of the most iconic bands and artists of a generation including Black Grape, Elastica, Blur, Bon Jovi, and Michael Hutchins.   

Thought and Leaders is a Gabay production.   

Gabay produces award-winning content and delivers high-level creative and brand strategy for global brands, the media and leading educational bodies.

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(Listening time 36 minutes)

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