Household calls for brand new emergency 999 quantity after son left house and by no means returned

A devastated household whose son killed himself throughout the pandemic is campaigning for the psychological well being equal of 999 so people who find themselves struggling can at all times get help. Cal Stuart was simply 23 years outdated when he left his house in January 2021 and by no means got here again.

He had misplaced two shut pals to suicide inside 18 months and, as a employee within the hospitality trade, he had been deeply affected by a scarcity of labor throughout lockdowns.

His household arrange the Calzy Foundation in his reminiscence to present a voice to younger individuals who have been deeply affected by the psychological well being disaster.

They did this after being approached by pals of his who have been struggling to come back to phrases with what occurred.

Cal’s dad Alan stated: “He was hugely popular. He had a smile that would break anyone’s heart, but he also suffered increasingly from depression and a heightened sense of anxiety coming out of Covid.

“We talked openly with him about that, and he was on managed medication with the GP and had a really good relationship with the GP.

“But on the 7th of January 2021, he walked out to go to the shop and didn’t come back. We lost him to suicide on that evening. 

“He was my best friend and I continue to talk about him as my hero as well as being my son.”

The household is now campaigning for a three-digit quantity which might work equally to 999 and 111 however would simply be for psychological well being points and could be manned by totally educated specialists. 

Mr Stuart added: “The present marketing campaign for the 24/7 emergency helpline is admittedly from our personal expertise of, as a household, looking for help in darkish moments since we misplaced Cal.

“The system simply failed. The basis of this marketing campaign is that we wish an easy-to-remember three-digit quantity on parity with 999 and 111 that folks have of their psyche, it is there, and it is memorable. It’s 24/7 three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months.

“It will likely be operated by psychological well being practitioners who would assess after which triage by to probably the most applicable service for that individual at the moment.

“That would possibly nicely be emergency companies [for someone who is at immediate risk of suicide at that moment].

“It is likely to be that somebody is simply in a really darkish place and sitting within the nook of their kitchen with all of the lights off, with the decision handler asking them ‘Okay, are you okay?

“’Are you secure? Here are the choices you may go to and listed below are after they’re open.’”

The 60-year-old added: “What we’d envisage is that the help companies that at the moment function will really get extra calls, however they’re going to get extra applicable calls.

“The marketing campaign for this quantity is admittedly ‘Let’s give people who find themselves in trauma or disaster one thing straightforward and accessible, non-judgemental that they know exists’.

“They know that they will then get that point of support and triage at the right point and the right time.

“If Cal had had that number we’re convinced it would have saved his life.

“And we know from our daughter’s experience, they were very close as siblings, she’s been in the darkest of moments as we all have, where we haven’t had texts or messages back from the support services that are currently out there.”

Cal’s sister Sian, 28, said: “[Since I lost Cal to mental illness] I too have been in a constant battle with my mental health.

“I have reached out many times for support, always feeling like I don’t know who to call or where to go, and many times I’ve been unable to get through in moments of extreme crisis.

“I know that a three-digit distinct number would have helped me and my brother in our darkest of times.”

The family has set up a petition about this issue, which so far has been signed by just under 60,000 people.

They will be meeting with Maria Caulfield, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for mental health, this week to talk about their campaign which has the backing of their local MP in Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers. It also has the support of Labour MP Rachael Maskell.

Mr Stuart added: “The system is broken. We know that.

“We can’t ever pretend to try and fix the whole system but a number that people know ‘that’s the number I call when I’m at this point’ will help. 

“We want a number that Cal didn’t have. We will be wanting to push this petition to the Government for debate. We want to push the conversation on this.”

Click here to sign the petition for a mental health emergency number.

The Samaritans can be reached round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org or by visiting www.samaritans.org.