Artist Jarrad spreads don't suffer message

A Sheffield artist has started an artwork campaign in a bid to get people talking about suicide and mental health.
Local artist Jarrad LearyLocal artist Jarrad Leary
Local artist Jarrad Leary

Pieces of pop-art style artwork have been mysteriously appearing in and around Sheffield, and it's all down to local artist Jarrad Leary, 30 from Deepcar.

But the artwork holds a very deep and powerful message, one that Jarrad hopes will reach those most in need.

The pop-art style artworkThe pop-art style artwork
The pop-art style artwork
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The 'Don't Suffer' project features various celebrities, such as Kurt Cobain and Robin Williams, alongside the phone number for Samaritans, a charity who offer round the clock help and support for people who are having suicidal thoughts.

And it is an issue that Jarrad says is very close to his heart: "When I was 17 my mum committed suicide. I came home from work and found her so it's a massive deal for me personally. I wanted to help people because the situation I suffered was so traumatic."

Jarrad has always been creative, having been into art for most of his life. He said: "One of the reasons I got in to art was because I wasn’t allowed to sit Art in school. My art teacher told me I would never amount to anything, but now I've gone on to sell art all over Europe and America."

But it wasn't until seven years ago that he started creating paintings of this style, and he says his creative side really helped him deal with his tragedy, and is one of the reasons why he wants to help others.

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"I thought I could really do something with it maybe help people that had to go through what I did or what my mum did because it obviously has a massive impact on your life. Not just for a year, or 2 years, but forever. It does break your heart to know people suffer the same things.

"I used to create music and do a lot of painting, it really helped get things off my chest. I dealt with things on my own."

However, Jarrad urges people to instead turn to Samaritans, a charity he says are 'amazing.'

"I simply can't sit back and watch peoples lives be affected the way that mine was. Forget yesterday, ignore today and think tomorrow. Don't suffer."

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It became even more poignant for Jarrad to start the campaign 18 months ago after a couple of his school friends sadly also took their own lives.

He now hopes that his paintings will raise awareness for suicide, but also reach many other people who are suffering with other problems.

"The paintings are aimed at anyone suffering with anxiety, any form of depression, addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling which can lead to depression and then obviously the worst case scenario, suicide."

Since the project started it has already gained traction in his local area of Stocksbridge, and he even left a piece of artwork on the Grandfather Fox roundabout at Fox Valley, but this soon disappeared.

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Many residents have even stopped Jarrad in the street to praise him for his work.

"People have said it's great, I've had conversations with people who have suffered with depression and they are really positive about it.

"I've even said to people if I can help or you want a chat I'm willing to. It's not about the money, it's to get in people's heads."

He is now hoping to roll the campaign out countrywide, with the help of Samaritans.

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"I need to contact Samaritans and see if they'd be interested. What I want to do is create flyers, or leaflets with the artwork on and send it out to loads of houses.

"It would reach more people, and I know some would go to people that haven't experienced suicide, but there will be thousands that have. It might get people thinking even if they haven't been affected.

"I'm not naive enough to think it will change way people are thinking straight away, but if it can make people think 'I know my friend is struggling, or a family member, they might just think to contact them to see how they are doing.

"I do believe acts like that could save somebody, somewhere, somehow."