Don’t Hold It In – increasing awareness of men’s mental health

Don’t Hold It In is project created to increase awareness of men’s mental health.

After the loss of a friend due to mental health, Tankerton-based Duncan McKean of Albert & Edward and his partner Lisa Jane Pearson of the Silver Bubble wanted to raise awareness of mental health issues experienced by men. Talking about their problems is difficult for men and admitting to those closest that they are struggling may feel impossible.

Duncan created his business Albert & Edward through a passion of discovering unique and quirky items from a bygone era, taking great pleasure in the art of restoration, reinventing and repurposing our treasures. His upcycled lighting now have a new lease of life, and can be appreciated by a new concerned generation of consumers for years to come.

Through his work he was offered 4 disused urinals and was asked if he could do anything with them and that is when he literally had a “light bulb” moment. At the time he was in the company of a client who works in mental health and so “Don’t Hold It In” was born.

Regularly appearing on BBC’s “Money for Nothing” TV Show, Duncan works with other talented artists, who were only too happy to get in involved when he spoke to them about Don’t Hold It In, taking one of the urinals to upcycle in their own unique style.

Living and working in Whitstable, Duncan is also part of a thriving and supportive creative community who too have come forward with offers of help to raise awareness and back this project.

Officially launched on Time to Talk Day in February 2020, the project will initially run over the next 7 months culminating in an Art Exhibition at the Horsebridge Arts Centre in September followed by a fundraising Gala at The Marine Hotel on Thursday 10th September, where the urinals will be auctioned for Mind.

You can follow the Don’t Hold It In story as it unfolds in the coming months across social media (just search #DontHoldItIn2020). There will be personal stories about mental health as well as insight to the creative process of how the bespoke art pieces are being developed for the project too.

There is also a website which will give you the opportunity to find out more and to support the campaign by purchasing art pieces in aid of Mind. www.dontholditin2020.co.uk

Please do support this project which has a very important message, and if this resonates with you then please talk to someone who can help and “Don’t Hold It In”.

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