Men encouraged to share their knowledge in mental health arts project
An example of artist Mark Titchner's work.
Men in Northwich and Ellesmere Port are invited to help create a lifeline for others struggling with their mental health.
An artist is inviting men in the two towns to take part in a project to help people find out where to turn if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has commissioned artist Mark Titchner to lead the community project in response to a rise in male suicides in the area.
Cllr Lisa Denson, the Council’s Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health), said:
Across the UK, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, which we sadly see reflected in Cheshire West and Chester. We know that there is not just one reason that brings someone to the point of thinking of taking their own life, and we also know that men often struggle to talk about how they feel. We want to create a visual campaign with men in Northwich and Ellesmere Port that will help other men find and access the support they need when they need it.
To have the greatest impact with the final campaign, Mark wants to work with men in the two areas to find out which messages would be the most helpful, what they should look like and where men would see them.
As an artist, Mark explores the relationship between mental health and visual art.
He has an ongoing collaboration with Bethlem Gallery, a visual arts charity based at Bethlem Royal Hospital, and has worked extensively with the charity Hospital Rooms, running workshops and creating site-specific artworks for in-patient mental health units across the UK.
He said: “I’m reaching out to men and men’s groups to hear their thoughts, experiences, and ideas—so we can shape the final outcome together.
“Your local insight is vital. It will help decide how the campaign looks, where it appears, and how it can best reach those who need it most.
“There are many organisations offering support to people in crisis. Through this project, we want to raise awareness of where to turn, let people know they are not alone, and encourage them to reach out.”
For more information and to get involved visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Information/communityartsprojectformen.
For urgent mental health support call: 111 or visit: 111 online.
For more information about support in the borough visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.