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<\/p>\nStrictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas knows what it\u2019s like to lose a loved one to suicide and wants to help anyone suffering with dark thoughts.<\/p>\n
The dance expert\u2019s brother David took his own life in 2003 and in his honour, Shirley focuses her charity work on mental health.<\/p>\n
This year Shirley did a Skyathlon \u2013 zip line, wing walk and skydive \u2013 for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), which was no small feat as she\u2019s scared of heights. She is hoping to top that effort in 2024. \u201cMy New Year\u2019s resolution is always to keep forging forward with all my charity work, it\u2019s actually one of my top priorities,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMy brother died by suicide in 2003, so CALM is a huge charity for me. It\u2019s important running up to Christmas for anyone who\u2019s lonely to reach out. CALM can intervene if you want or they can just listen if you want. They\u2019re there for you and I\u2019ve met all the people in charge and it really is truly fantastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m also starting to work with the Suicide&Co charity, who provide counselling sessions for families and friends who have lost loved ones to suicide. Amelia and Emma, its CEOs, are truly inspirational young ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shirley wants anyone struggling to reach out and has a message for those in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message from me to anybody who\u2019s struggling, is that, \u2018It would be lovely to see tomorrow, because tomorrow can be a bright day if you have somebody really listening to you,\u2019\u201d says Shirley.<\/p>\n
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Shirley also plans to prioritise looking after her own happiness and mental health next year, which will require a change of habit. \u201cI want to try to spend a little bit more time for me,\u201d she reveals. \u201cThe majority of the time I\u2019m everywhere else for everybody else, so I\u2019d like a little bit more me time. I want to be happy within myself, which is a little struggle for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time, I have my mum living with me at 86 so I want to make sure that she\u2019s happy and that we\u2019re both having a ball together \u2013 and then I want to spend time with my grandbaby!\u201d<\/p>\n
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