Testimony#1
Suicide is a hugely sensitive, complex issue with a tangled multitude of causes – and the very nature of a death by suicide means we can never fully know the reasons behind it. As mental health awareness has grown, there is greater public understanding of potential contributing factors. For generations, many societies have encouraged men to be strong and not admit they’re struggling. We condition boys from a very young age to not express emotion, because to express emotion is to be weak. These are the different factors that contribute to the politics of masculinity and since men are less likely to seek help for mental health they tend to turn to alcohol and substance abuse. Men are nearly twice as likely as women to meet criteria for alcohol dependence, but drinking can deepen depression and increase impulsive behaviors and alcoholism is a known risk factor for suicide. There are no straightforward fixes for an issue this complex so we hope our art piece will be a conversation starter with self and peers.
