Chilling sight of figures on the roof got everyone talking. Let’s hope it helps thousands of men find the words which could save their lives
It was a disturbing image but then that was the point. Last week, a series of harrowing rooftop sculptures were unveiled on broadcaster ITV’S London buildings.
There were 84 statues, each representing a real man who has taken his own life.
Shockingly, that’s how many men commit suicide every seven days in this country.
I had no idea the figure was so high, nor that suicide was the biggest killer of men under the age of 45.
These sculptures, called Project 84 and placed there by mental health charity CALM, certainly had the desired effect.
We can judge its success by the sheer number of people who stopped in their tracks to talk about it. And talking seems to be something men could use a little help with.
In general, men aren’t quite as good as women when it comes to opening up about their problems. Part of me thinks history has a lot to do with it.
Over the centuries, men have been the macho bread-winners who are supposed to take care of everything.
They felt they had to be seen to be strong. Meanwhile, women have traditionally stayed at home and raised families – which is naturally an environment where you learn how to deal with your emotions and those of people around you. Obviously the world has changed but for men, even though there’s awareness that they should be looking after their mental health, there’s still a stigma attached to seeking help for these sorts of issues.
I think many still believe that it’s not OK to not be OK.
Perhaps men think it’s a sign of weakness to talk about their problems, or maybe they just feel too embarrassed.
But these statistics highlight the need for there to be somewhere for men to talk – completely independently of family and friends.
A place where they can open up and be honest about the things they’re feeling – and be heard by people who are trained to listen and offer expert advice.
Perhaps we need to get the message out there that opening up to a trusted friend, picking up a phone to a mental health service, or chatting to a counsellor isn’t a sign of being weak – it’s actually a sign of strength.
There are so many shocking things going on in the world that you need to do something extra-shocking to get everyone to take notice.
That’s why these statues made me take a step back and think about things.
I hope they made a lot of men who perhaps need a little help take a step back, too.
‘
Opening up to a trusted friend isn’t a sign of being weak – it’s actually a strength