Suicide.  We don't talk about it much do we? For most of us it's strange to see it written on the page, and more surreal still to think or actually talk about it.

But here's the thing, that one little word is destroying communities and families across the UK; suicide is the biggest killer of young men between 18-35 in the UK.  Just think about that for a second.  Drugs, heart disease, road traffic accidents - suicide kills more young men in the UK than any of them.  

But I know from experience that this isn't something that we just have to accept.  As a teenager I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, but thankfully with the help, love and support of my mum, my friends and others I got the help I needed and I was able to find my way through.  Unfortunately too many young men simply don't feel they can seek the help they need or don't know where to get it.  I believe this needs to change and I believe it can.

So on October the 5th I’ll be running the Tough Mudder; a hellish 12 mile obstacle course designed by special forces and made up of mud, ice baths, electric shocks and pain (that only 78% of people complete) to raise money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

C.A.L.M. is an incredible charity that is working to ensure that men do have the space and resources available to them to get the support and help they need.  Focusing on appealing to men through music and creative online spaces,they believe like me that if men felt able to ask for, and find, timely and appropriate help when they need it then hundreds of male suicides could be prevented in the UK.

I’m trying to raise £700 which would mean they can take around 120 phone calls from young men in need of help, or keep their website going for over a week.  So please, donate whatever you can to this fantastic cause.  If you can just donate even £5 it could help make all the difference to a young man in need of help, feeling isolated, alone and unsure where to turn.  Together, let’s make sure C.A.L.M. has the resource and capacity to help him, and stop these shocking and unnecessary deaths.

Thank you SO much for reading, and in advance for giving whatever you can.

Sam