Wilfred Webster, best known for his stellar performance in the BBC series The Traitors, joins suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) as its latest Ambassador to encourage life-saving conversations around suicide across the UK.
The announcement comes as Wilfred prepares to walk 274 miles, accompanied by fellow Traitors contestant Ivan Brett. The pair will start at CALM’s office in London on Monday, 2nd September, and aim to finish at its original headquarters in Liverpool two weeks later on Sunday, 15th September. They are inviting people across the UK to join them along the route.
A 2016 survey from mental health charity Mind reported that one in five people in the UK will have suicidal thoughts at some point in their life. Data released by the Samaritans
in 2022 reports that someone dies by suicide every 90 minutes on average in the UK. With such shocking statistics, it’s clear that the actions of ambassadors like Wilfred are needed to kick-start a much-needed conversation about suicide in the UK and raise awareness for CALM’s life-saving work.
“I’m so proud to be a CALM Ambassador. People think that suicide only affects people with mental health problems, but there are so many things that can happen to us that can lead us to think we have no way out,” said Webster. “I know from experience how that can feel, but I also know how it feels to come out the other side. CALM is a highly interventionist organisation that can pull people out of their darkest moments and I’ll do all I can to keep shining a light on the great work they do.
“They need money to keep saving lives, which is why I’ve enlisted the help of Ivan to walk from London to Liverpool — CALM HQ to CALM’s birthplace, and my hometown to the best city in the world! I’d love it if you could help us raise money for CALM, and I’d be made up if you can join us for a walk and a chat along the way.”
CALM believe that suicide can be prevented with the right support and interventions, and it’s essential to break the taboo and be able to talk about suicide to stop the stigma which prevents people from seeking help.
CALM is fighting to reduce the devastating impact of suicide in the UK. It runs a life-saving helpline for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. It’s free, anonymous and open daily from 5 pm to midnight. For those not ready to talk, the website has tools and resources packed with practical, non-clinical advice to make communication and managing mental health a little easier.
