Leading tattoo artist and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Ambassador Tal Booker (The London Social) completed 24 tattoos in 24 hours in a first-of-its-kind solo tattoo-athon, raising money and awareness for the suicide prevention charity.
Fellow CALM Ambassadors Shirley Ballas and Amber Gill also took part. Shirley was the second tattoo of the day, and she got the initials ‘D.A.R.’ tattooed on her right wrist in memory of her brother David, who died by suicide in 2003.
CALM CEO Simon Gunning got the final tattoo of the day, his first and only tattoo, in Booker’s 24th hour of tattooing, opting for the charity logo on his left arm. He said:
“I have wanted a Tal Booker tattoo for longer than I can remember, but I wasn’t quite banking on him having not slept for a full 24 hours when the day finally came. Unsurprisingly, the tat is total perfection and is all the more meaningful because of this incredible thing that Tal has done for CALM. It genuinely is life-saving.”
So far, Tal has raised over £4,000 for CALM’s life-saving work, with donations still open on JustGiving and Instagram.
In his role as CALM Ambassador, Tal is working with the charity to develop a Tattoo Artist Toolkit, following the success of CALM’s Creator Mental Health Toolkit for the gaming community, to provide vital signposting guidance and support for tattoo artists across the UK who often work with people who have experienced suicidal thoughts, or are bereaved by suicide.
Tal lost his cousin to suicide at just 19-years-old, and like the one in five people in the UK experienced suicidal thoughts himself.
On becoming a Campaign Against Living Miserably Ambassador, Tal said:
“Something I’ve learned since being open about my own mental health is how much strength there is in vulnerability. When I started sharing my story, I realised I wasn’t alone. The conversations I have with clients remind me of the strength people carry. Those connections, whether through art, friends, or even small moments of kindness, were the glimmers of hope I needed to keep going. As a CALM ambassador, I want to be a voice for those who feel they’ve lost theirs and help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Together, we can make sure no one has to face their battles alone.”
Data shows that one in five people will have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime*, with someone dying by suicide every 90 minutes on average in the UK. But suicide can be prevented with the right support and interventions. One of those tools is talking about suicide to stop the stigma silencing people’s struggles and preventing people from seeking help.
Need help? Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) hosts a life-saving suicide prevention helpline and provides vital online mental health resources for anyone who needs them. Visit www.thecalmzone.net.
CALM does not recommend getting a tattoo or visiting a tattoo artist as a solution to anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health problems. Speak to your GP or a trained professional if you need support with your mental health, or reach out to CALM if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, are worried about someone you think may be suicidal or are bereaved by suicide.
Need help? Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) hosts a life-saving suicide prevention helpline and provides vital online mental health resources for anyone who needs them. Visit www.thecalmzone.net.
