Public Posters Written By Suicide Survivors & Men Who Have Dealt With Depression
Image via Mother London
Advertising agency Mother London’s copywriters for its latest project weren’t its own, but real men who have dealt with depression, as well as have attempted suicide.
The project, ‘Real people, real stories’, was helmed by suicide prevention group Samaritans, and encourages men who need assistance to reach out to the nonprofit via its website or free hotline, 116 123.
Mother London also worked with media agency Goodstuff Communications for the movement, which was supported by UK’s National Rail.
In a nationwide survey, Samaritans discovered that 41 percent of men aged 20 through 59 in England, Scotland and Wales do not contact others for help and choose to keep their problems to themselves. A breakdown of these issues shows that males worry about financial problems (36 percent), relationship or family issues (30 percent), loneliness (29 percent), and their careers (25 percent).
The campaign spotlights posters bearing the handwritten messages of real men, and aspires to show members of the public that in moments of desperation, they are not alone.
As such, the prints are placed in highly visible areas.
Paul McDonald, Samaritans’ executive director of external affairs, told Campaign, “We didn’t want to create just another awareness campaign; we wanted something authentic and emotive.” Men who “have been through tough times” were then asked to offer words of comfort to those who might need them.
Aside from the posters, the Samaritans will team up with sports radio station talkSPORT to launch an editorial series featuring real men’s stories. A digital campaign is also underway, as are 50 events that the charity will host around the country.
Samaritans’ UK hotline can be reached at any time at 116 123. If you live in the US and are dealing with suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides free and confidential support to people in distress 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.
Image via Mother London
Image via Mother London
Image via Mother London
Image via Mother London
[via Campaign, images via Mother London]
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