On monday morning passersby in central London witnessed a shocking sight: 84 men standing on the edge of every ITV studio building as if they were about to leap to their deaths. Regardless of how realistic they may seem, these men aren't human. In fact, they are lifelike figures made by artist Mark Jenkins as part of Project 84, a campaign that seeks to raise awareness of male suicide in the UK.
According to charity CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably), suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 40 in the UK. With this in mind, the charity created Project 84 which highlights the chilling statistics — on average 84 men in the UK commit suicide each week. Every figure perched on top of the ITV studio buildings represents a real man who committed suicide. The stories of these men have been told by their family and friends and are chronicled on the Project 84 website.
CALM strives to change the conversation regarding men and mental illness. Their goal is not only to assist the families who suffered a loss of a loved one, but also to get the government to be proactive. Despite the alarming statistics, there is no cabinet minister in the UK officially responsible for suicide prevention. CALM is trying to change that with an online petition which already has more than 10,000 signatures.
You can save lives by joining the conversation. Check out what else you can do on CALM's website.
More info: projecteightyfour.com
In London, 84 men were noticed standing on the edge of every ITV studio
Image credits: CALM
Turns out, they are lifelike figures made by artist Mark Jenkins as part of Project 84
Image credits: PA
Project 84 is a campaign that seeks to raise awareness of male suicide in the UK
Image credits: CALM
According to charity CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably), suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 40 in the UK
Image credits: PA
Chilling statistics informs that on average 84 men in the UK commit suicide each week
Image credits: CALM
Every figure perched on top of the ITV studio buildings represents a real man who committed suicide
Image credits: CALM
CALM strives to change the conversation regarding men and mental illness
Image credits: REX
There is no cabinet minister in the UK officially responsible for suicide prevention. CALM is trying to change that with an online petition
Image credits: REX
This project encourages people to join the conversation about alarming male suicide rates. You can help too
Image credits: PA