adam&eve Highlights Shocking Male Suicide Statistics Through Sculpture

Did you know that in the UK a man takes his own life every two hours? Which equates to 84 male suicides in a week? It's a shocking statistic, but due to the stigma surrounding male suicide, there's still a tragic lack of conversation, understanding and support around the issue.

But today sees a striking visual representation of the problem - and a reminder of the urgent need to take action - with the unveiling of 84 sculptures of men on top of London's Southbank buildings. Perched perilously close to the edges, the sculptures, whose faces are obscured, seem to be contemplating jumping to their deaths.

The week-long installation is part of Project 84, adam&eveDDB’s second campaign for The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. Created by renowned sculptor Mark Jenkins with support from bereaved friends and families, the sculptures were put together by volunteers across a series of workshops, where they were guided in Jenkins’ signature tape-casting technique.

“Male suicide and mental health is a big issue that can’t be ignored any longer," say Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland, deputy ECDs. "It’s unacceptable that so many men are tragically taking their own lives every week, and yet there are so few people talking about it. Hopefully this piece of work will highlight this shocking statistic and help start conversation.”

Volunteers used Mark Jenkins' tape-casting technique to create the sculptures

The campaign, which is backed by male grooming brand, Harry’s, also includes broadcast support from ITV's This Morning - which will be running three days of programming dedicated to male suicide, including interviews with the friends and family of the men at the heart of Project 84 - online communications, posters and volunteers on the ground.

“Achieving our goal of male suicide prevention requires everybody to take a stand," said Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM. "As a society we have to face this awful issue, discuss it and actively work to stop it, which is why we’re particularly invested in making this campaign a success. 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.”