Full Breakdown
Biffy Clyro Teams with CALM for “Mountains” T-shirt to Aid Suicide Prevention
7/16/2026, 8:54:39 PM
The Collaboration and Its Purpose
Scottish rock trio Biffy Clyro has partnered with the UK mental-health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to release a limited-edition “Mountains” T-shirt. The all-black shirt features red lettering of the lyric “I am a mountain. I am the sea” and is sold for £30. All proceeds support CALM’s suicide-prevention helpline and its mental-health app CALMzone. The design draws on the band’s 2008 single “Mountains,” later included on the 2009 album *Only Revolutions*.
Background: Ongoing Mental-Health Advocacy
Biffy Clyro joins a roster of artists—including Blossoms, Tom Walker, Inhaler and Fontaines D.C.—who have previously contributed designs to CALM’s “Lifelines” collection. The band has spoken publicly about mental health: frontman Simon Neil discussed depression in a 2018 NME interview, and in 2016 described a “terrible headspace” while recording *Ellipsis*. In 2025 bassist James Johnston announced he would sit out the band’s tour to focus on his wellbeing, underscoring the group’s personal commitment to the cause.
Data Highlighting the Crisis
Neil referenced national statistics, noting that suicide claims the lives of more than 6,000 British men and women each year and is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. He described the figures for young men as “horrific,” emphasizing the urgency of open dialogue.
Official Statements & Responses
Simon Neil explained that the song “Mountains” “is kind of about trying to have a bit of belief in yourself… trying to find that little bit of confidence to fight your way through life,” and urged fans to “stay strong, keep talking, and stay healthy.” CALM CEO Simon Gunning praised the partnership, saying a single line from a song can “make a world of difference” and expressing gratitude to the artists for leveraging their platforms for good. James Johnston’s personal note affirmed his decision to seek professional help, apologising to his bandmates and thanking them for their support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are delight to support CALM with our ‘Mountains’ t-shirt design,” — Simon Neil, Frontman, Biffy Clyro
- “The stats of young men killing themselves is horrific,” — Simon Neil, Frontman, Biffy Clyro
- “ CALM’s CEO Simon Gunning added: “One word, one message, one line of a song that means so much to you, can make a world of difference.” — Simon Gunning, CEO, CALM
- “The time has come to properly address my illnesses and deal with them. I am extremely sorry to Simon and Ben [Johnston, his twin brother and the band’s drummer] and thank them for their continued love, patience, support and understanding throughout this time,” — James Johnston, Bassist, Biffy Clyro
