Shirley Ballas says she is “shocked” by the number of fans who approach her and explain that they have also lost family members to suicide. The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, whose brother took his own life around two decades ago, has long raised awareness for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm). The charity’s latest campaign unveiled an installation, running until Wednesday, at Westfield, London, featuring 6,929 balloons – each one representing a young person who has died from suicide over the last decade.
Ballas, singer Paige Turley and Made In Chelsea star turned BBC radio DJ Jamie Laing have all backed the awareness move. Suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) unveils their Missing Birthdays installation at Westfield White City London, made up of 6,929 balloons that represent every young life lost to suicide in the last decade (David Parry/PA Media Assignments) Ballas says she regularly reads messages sent to her from people who are “struggling” on social media, that she directs to the Samaritans or Calm. She said: “I’m not a professional, and I do find that people come up to me.
.. and lots of people always want to tell me about the loved ones they’ve lost.
“And it’s always quite a shock to me that so many people have lost loved ones to suicide so yes, I’m always there, I’m always listening.” She also said that she does not “find it tough at all” to speak to people on this issue.