By Shawna Healey
Content warning: contains discussion of suicide.
On January 10th, a group of 20 activists behind the campaign CrazyTall hung 20 dummies from London’s Westminster Bridge in an attempt to raise awareness of mental illness in young people. In 2017, 165 people between the ages of 10 and 19 took their own life, an increase of 29% compared to 2013.
The campaigners involved have said that they have all either contemplated or attempted suicide. Their hashtag #NotOneMore is being used to raise awareness of the protest, as well of the problem of mental illness in young people. One activist, Issac Rowan, tweeted: “As I held the dummy in my arms, and lowered it down on the bridge, I was overcome by the feeling that this could have easily been me, or one of my friends”.
As I held the dummy in my arms, and lowered it down on the bridge, I was overcome by the feeling that this could have easily been me, or one of my friends. https://t.co/aRrqFu0qlP I was featured in a piece on #NotOneMore @CrazyTalkUK's action today. #Trans #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/C1Qd5lPkZ1
— Isaac Skrzypczyk ⚧ BLM (@isaac_skrz) January 10, 2019
The BBC conducted a moving interview with the activists behind the stunt, including the CrazyTalk co-founder, Ajuub, in which he revealed that he attempted suicide three times before the age of 18, and is now calling for a greater focus on prevention in mental health services.
CrazyTalk are calling for the following reforms to public services:
Featured image: Aaron Shaw ‘Is This Thing On?’ is a unique debut show, a product of the creative collaboration between Ellie Campbell, Megan Keaveney (MissMatch), and the So La Flair theatre company. Following its debut appearance at Contact Theatre, the show promises to be a memorable experience for those attending the tour across Wigan, Leeds,…
Featured image: aAh! In each print issue, aAh! Magazine explores one word which runs as its theme. Next up is The FRESHERS Issue 24/25. aAh! Magazine invites all Manchester Met students interested in journalism, writing, photography and design to pitch ideas to be considered for print publication for the upcoming issue: The FRESHERS Issue 24/25….
Featured image: Seagoth “This album is dedicated to all of the people who can’t take a day off from themselves, to the people who have to face their greatest fears every single day – and to all the pain we feel, may we heal”. – Seagoth on How to Stay Wide Awake. While studying music…
Featured image: So La Flair Theatre Ellie Campbell and Megan Keaveney graduated last year from Manchester Theatre School. The pair met at a house party in their first year, where Ellie was standing on a table singing her heart out to Florence and the Machine. Megan locked eyes with her and knew they would be…
Leave a reply