Darien, Connecticut Mural & Event

Painted by: Brian Kaspr, Dirty Bandits, No Entry Design, Sara Lynne Leo

Footage by: Byron Soza, Calderwood Photography, and No Entry Design

Edited by: Alli Inka Media

Photo Credit: Calderwood Photography

Bringing You Are Not Alone to Darien, CT

In recent years, Darien has lost several young members of their community to suicide. Knowing that stigma breeds shame and isolation and prevents people from connecting with loved ones, The Corbin District was eager to lend their real estate to encourage open dialogue about mental illness. Encouraging open, honest, and informed conversations saves lives.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, local CT muralist Brian Kaspr and YANAM co-creator Dirty Bandits and were invited to create a massive two-story mural at 1120 Boston Post Road (the building formerly occupied by Bank of America).

YANAM and Kaspr will be back in the area in September in honor of Suicide Prevention Month to paint several new murals and further engage the community.

Artist Statement

Brian Kaspr and YANAM
By nature, public murals are impermanent, and as artists we are prepared for things to change and a mural to come down. But in this rare instance, the Post Road mural will truly come down when the building is demolished in June. The vulnerability and transitional nature of public art is often what attracts artists to mural painting, and on the Post Road the impending demolition makes the need to share the “you are not alone” message even more urgent. When it comes to facing your own mental health challenges or offering support to someone who is struggling, the moment to disrupt the silence and take action is NOW. Disruption is an opportunity to rebuild and reimagine what comes next; that’s what the Darien community is doing right now on a number of different levels. 

Shame and the fear that no one could possibly understand what we’re going through keeps us isolated. Conversely, the phrase “you are not alone” builds connections. It tells people who are suffering in silence that millions of people have been right where they are. “You are not alone” is also the voice of an ally saying you are cared for and that help is available. 

The Event

Photo Credit: Calderwood Photography

In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, You Are Not Alone Murals hosted a free community event in partnership with The Corbin District, The Depot-Darien Youth Center, The Thriving Youth Task Force, The RJW Foundation and Rings End.

Since shame is one of the major barriers to seeking help, we invited members of the Darien community to visit the two-story high mural and then help us demolish the word “shame” in mural on the ground floor windows. 

Community members of all ages used You Are Not Alone Murals’ signature colors of yellow, white, black, and gray to blot out the word “shame” by using paint markers to add first names or initials of loved ones that have struggled or are still dealing with mental health challenges; words that show support and promote mental wellness like breathe, connect, and love; or doodles like hearts or smiley faces. 

You are not alone projects are made possible by our sponsors and collaborators: