CALM raises issue of male suicide with sculptures on ITV South Bank Studios

Suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), has sparked discussion this morning with eighty-four sculptures of men with hoods covering their faces on top of the ITV South Bank Studios to raise awareness of male suicide.

The sculptures, named ‘Project 84’, represent the eighty-four men who take their own lives in the UK every week. Suicide is also the largest killer of men under forty-five in the UK, with three quarters of suicides being by men.

Created by artist Mark Jenkins, famous for his signature tape casting technique, all of the figures are based on a real people who have committed suicide in the UK.

The poignant sculptures were each created during special workshops in consultation with the individual victim’s families and friends.

Speaking about the project, CALM’s chief executive Simon Gunning commented: “Project 84 is all about making the scale of the situation very clear and we hope it will drive change and encourage everyone, government included, to come together to take suicide seriously.”

The campaign created by Adam & Eve/DDB was supported by ITV show This Morning with three days of programming dedicated to male suicide. PR delivery by W Communications.

The activation was featured on today’s This Morning, Presenter Philip Schofield described how, “Here at This Morning we never shy away from stories that can be difficult to talk about – and without doubt, one of the most heart-breaking is losing a loved one to suicide”.

Co-Presenter Holly added: “That is why today we are unveiling 84 life sizes sculptures – each representing a real man who has taken his own life, in the hope that it will stop people in their tracks, make them pay attention and get them talking.”

The sculptures are accompanied by a petition that aims to raise the issue of male suicide to government in the hope that greater action will be taken. They will remain in place for a week from today, with three days of This Morning programming devoted to raising awareness of men taking their own lives.

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