Mark Jenkins Powerful Installation Raises Awareness of Male Suicide, London 2018

A powerful new art installation has just been revealed on the rooftops of London’s ITV studios on Southbank. The 84 male sculptures standing on the rooftop edge have been made by American artist Mark Jenkins to raise awareness of male suicide.

The installation is part CALM’s new campaign Project84, and represents the 84 men who take their own lives every week in the UK, that’s one precious life lost every two hours. Male suicide continues to be the biggest killer of men under 45, and men are nearly four times more likely than women to take their own life.

The statistics are shocking. Every two hours a man in the UK takes his own life. Male suicide and mental health is a big issue that can’t be ignored any longer. It’s unacceptable that so many men are dying from suicide on a daily basis, yet so few people are talking about it. PROJECT84

Mark Jenkins is an American artist most widely known for his hyper-realistic street sculptures made from packing tape. His work focuses on themes of marginalisation to create a stage that absorbs passers-by.

The aim of this installation is to stop people in their tracks, make them pay attention and inspire much needed conversation and action around suicide.

Alongside sculptor Mark Jenkins and Sandra Fernandez, friends and families bereaved by suicide took part in the making of the 84 male sculptures.

Each of the 84 that looks over the capital city is a poignant reminder of a real life lost, and their individual stories are chronicled on the Project 84 website.

The sculptures on ITV’s Buildings on London’s Southbank Promenade are shown between Monday 26th March and Sunday 1st April 2018.

Project 84 also has launched an online petition drive through which it hopes to persuade Britain’s government to take action to improve suicide prevention and bereavement support.

The campaign has been sponsored by shaving brand Harry’s, who carried out the UK’s most comprehensive study into men’s wellbeing in 2017.

Like Mark Jenkins installation, lets create more awareness about mens mental health and make the invisible, visible… #Project84 

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues in this article, the charity CALM has advice and support on its website, including spotting warning signs, what to say and what to do next.

Useful websites and helplines:

  • Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
  • Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a registered charity, which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. Call 0800 58 58 58 or visit thecalmzone.net
  • The Mix is a free advice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk
  • HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pm and 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41

 

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