Summertime and the Livin' Ain't Easy: Mental Health in the High Season
"...the tradition of music is age-old... It brings people together. It helps us express our experiences, our feelings, our desires, and it can help us to learn and to empathise."
At Rough Trade, we believe music is more than just a soundtrack. It’s connection, catharsis, and sometimes even survival. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a leading charity dedicated to preventing suicide and providing life-saving support. CALM shows up where it matters most - from collaborating with drill artists to challenge stigma, to campaigns that mark missed birthdays as a stark reminder of those lost too soon. Their mission is simple but urgent: to help people end their misery and not their lives.
Summer is meant to be the season of freedom, fuelled by travel, festivals and long nights with good friends. But behind the sunshine, the statistics tell a different story. Summer has the highest rate of suicide, a fact that can feel at odds with the carefree image we see on social media or in adverts. For many, the season brings loneliness, financial strain and an unspoken pressure to match the social and cultural calendar of fun that may be far from their own reality.
This year, we’re asking our community to stand with us in supporting CALM’s important work. You can donate in any Rough Trade store at the till, or contribute online when you shop. Every pound helps CALM reach more people, start more life-saving conversations, and keep vital services running. And if you, or someone you know, is struggling, CALM is here. Their free, confidential helpline, web chat and WhatsApp offer support every day from 5pm to midnight for help when you need it most.
We asked our friends at CALM about why suicide rates peak in the warmer months, how the cost of living is hitting mental health, and the role music can play in saving lives. Because everyone deserves to see another summer.
Summer is often associated with fun, freedom and festivals, yet statistics show it has the highest rate of suicide. Why is this such a vulnerable time for so many?
Summer can bring up a lot of worries and struggles for people. Whether it’s feeling lonely or money stress, summer’s a time when social media posts are filled with holidays, BBQs, and beach days. It can feel like a lot of pressure if that’s not what your life looks like.
If you’re struggling, there’s loads of support available. Head to thecalmzone.net for support and practical advice - including our life-saving suicide prevention helpline.
The cost of living crisis is affecting every aspect of life, from rent to the weekly food shop, but also the things we rely on for joy, like gigs and festivals. How is this financial pressure impacting people’s mental health?
The answer is a lot. Our Money Talks research showed that 1 in 2 of us have felt anxious because of the cost of living crisis. It also showed that young people are struggling disproportionately right now, and it’s really impacting their heads.
That’s why it’s so important for us all to try to smash the stigma around talking about cash so we can all have honest conversations if we’re having a tough time. And remember, there’s always a way forward. Help’s available if your money worries are getting you down.
Social media often paints summer as a highlight reel. What impact does FOMO (the fear of missing out) have on people struggling silently behind the scenes?
It’s not just social media, we’ve always done it. You know that saying, keeping up with the Joneses - well it’s a bit like that. I think we’re all a little bit programmed to compare ourselves to others - probably as a survival instinct from way back when. But in 2025 it can do more harm than good and social media just exacerbates that.
We’re not designed to compare ourselves to hundreds or even thousands of people. If you catch yourself comparing your life to others, remember you’re not seeing the whole picture. People only tend to share the good parts. You’re not seeing the mess behind the scenes, the sad days, or the boring moments.
"...125 people are dying by suicide every week here in the UK."
From powerful visuals marking missed birthdays to teaming up with drill artists to challenge stigma, CALM consistently shows up in unexpected places. Why is it so crucial to meet people where they are - especially in spaces not traditionally associated with mental health?
1 in 4 of us have had suicidal thoughts. And 125 people are dying by suicide every week here in the UK. If we want to change that, we need to get our services in front of as many people as possible. We believe that if we show up in unexpected spaces using familiar language and relatable messages, we’re more likely to get through to those people that need us. That goes for friends and family too. If you know about CALM, you’re equipped with life-saving information to share with someone you care about. And we think that’s pretty important.
Music is a lifeline for so many. It's a way to feel understood and a space to let it all out. How does CALM see the role of music and creative expression in the conversation around mental health?
Music’s a huge part of CALM’s history - record label owner Tony Wilson was a big part of our origin story. And, well, the tradition of music is age-old. It’s been carried with us from when we were living around campfires thousands of years ago. There’s a reason for that. It brings people together. It helps us express our experiences, our feelings, our desires, and it can help us to learn and to empathise. It feels completely natural for us to be working in and around music for all of those reasons and loads more. It’s why our work with Rough Trade is so important to us.
CALM recently turned 20 - congratulations! What would you say are some of the most meaningful achievements you've seen as a charity over the past two decades?
I think for us it’s all about looking forward. What can we do next? How can we help more people to Stay? We’ve achieved some spectacular stuff like the appointment of the world’s first ever minister for suicide prevention and got more people talking about what goes on in their heads - but it doesn’t do anyone any favours to focus on the past that heavily.
One thing that it is important to mention is the people we’ve met and helped - this year alone we’ve spent more than a million minutes talking to people on our suicide prevention helpline. We’ve worked with so many individuals who’ve been bereaved or struggled themselves, and every story, every person who says our services have helped, well, I think that’s really the highlight for the entire team.
Finally, what would you say to someone who feels like they’re not coping, especially during a season when they’re ‘meant’ to be having the time of their life?
You’re not alone. There’s help available right now. Talk to someone or get in touch with a service like ours that can support you to feel better. It won’t feel like this forever. Head to our website thecalmzone.net for practical support and advice.
Useful Links / Further Reading
Money and Mental Health
How To Get Through Summer
Tom Walker - Everyone Has a Lifeline
Nadine Shah on Suicide
The Snuts and Mental Health in the Music Industry