These Powerful London Sculptures Show The Painful Reality Of Male Suicide

What is it?

Project 84 is a new campaign created by male suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) featuring 84 life-size sculptures of unidentifiable men, with an aim to raise awareness of the fact that 84 men take their own lives every week in the UK. The art installation was created by US street artist Mark Jenkins, who’s known for his hyper-realistic street sculptures.

The sculptures were made by Jenkins and his work partner Sandra Fernandez in collaboration with Harry’s grooming products. They were created during a series of workshops with bereaved family members and friends of the deceased. Each one represents a real person who lost their life to suicide – you can read about them on the Project 84 website. They will stay there for the rest of this week.

Where are they?

Twelve of the statues are on top of the This Morning studio, while a further 72 appear on the ITV HQ roof, near London’s Southbank. ITV’s support of the campaign is designed to start an important conversation around male suicide, including how to provide better support and how we can move towards better suicide prevention.

During today’s episode of This Morning, host Phillip Schofield said, “Here at This Morning we never shy away from stories that can be difficult to talk about – and without doubt, one of the most heartbreaking is losing a loved one to suicide.”

Co-host Holly Willoughby added: “That is why today we are unveiling 84 life-sized 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."

What have people been saying?

The shocking art installation has garnered praise from the public. One person on Twitter wrote: “Amazing installation at @itvstudios raising awareness about the mental health of men. Every week 84 men take their own lives. Don't be afraid to talk. #project84."

Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “Achieving our goal of male suicide prevention requires everybody to take a stand, and we're thrilled that This Morning is taking a stand with us. Project 84 is all about making the scale of the situation very clear to everyone who sees the sculptures."

Alongside the sculpture, a petition has also been started by CALM and Matthew Smith, who lost his brother Dan to suicide, in an attempt to try and convince the government to take more action to improve suicide prevention and support for grieving families.

“My brother Dan was my best pal and my idol,” Matthew said. “He was taken by something silent, something none of his friends and family saw coming. The true horror of what we as his family experienced when he took his own life is something that could be preventable if we all take a stand together.”

To sign the petition, visit ProjectEightyFour.com