SEAT is working with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to pilot a first-of-a-kind mental health feature.
A QR code has been added to the vanity mirror of new SEAT vehicles, and the code takes users to a specially-designed page on CALM’s website. The page includes hints and tips on how to preserve your mental health, plus a helpline number for further support. The code can be removed easily.
Research commissioned by SEAT found that 59 per cent of UK adults have looked to improve their wellbeing by temporarily leaving their home, with nearly 90 per cent of respondents saying they had gone for a drive to stay positive or support their mental health.
“With our longstanding mental health partner, CALM, we wanted to play a small part in helping people to quickly access support when they need it,” said Richard Harrison, Managing Director of SEAT UK. “The new ‘SOS’ feature should make it that little bit easier to have someone to talk to, especially because so many people see the car as a place of refuge. It is definitely a case of ‘being silent isn’t being strong’, so we encourage people to speak to their friends and family or seek professional advice.”
Simon Gunning, CEO at CALM, commented: “From CALM’s helpline number to expert advice on how to have a conversation with someone you’re worried about, CALM and SEAT have teamed up to put people in the driving seat when it comes to helping themselves and others.
“Life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes we stall. And sometimes we need time to put the brakes on and take some time for ourselves. But no matter what you’re going through CALM’s helpline and webchat is here to provide free, anonymous and confidential support, 365 days a year, 5pm until midnight.”
If the pilot is successful, SEAT hopes to make this a permanent feature in its vehicles.
You can start your journey to better mental health by clicking here.