Channel 4 this week

[Suzi]

There is a series of programmes focussing on MH this week.

Tonight it's "The maddest job interview" which is really interesting. A group of volunteers who haven't disclosed whether they do or do not currently have a MH illness are going up against each other to find out who is "the most employable" as judged by a panel of "bosses". At the same time a group of psychs are trying to work out who has and who currently does not have a mh illness.
I'm finding it really interesting..

[shine]

Sounds interesting. I will see if its available on 4od

[Suzi]

I found it fascinating...

[shine]

so interesting. i just watched it. At the beginning of the programme I couldnt tell who had a mh illness. Its amazing to see the ones who did suffer, how well they have pulled through their illness. It gives us all hope. And to see how the employers attitudes change once they find out who had a mh illness is very interesting. Programmes like this are great at helping get rid of the stigma. Well done channel 4.

[Suzi]

Isn't it just? I thought it did what it set out to do very very well indeed!

[Dollydimple]

I recorded it, youngest and I were watching it last night, got about half way through it and have the rest still to watch but yes, it was very interesting and relatable at points!

[spi]

What a fantastic idea for a programme. The more we talk about mental illness, the more we move forward.

[shine]

i just watched this http://www.channel4.com/programmes/ruby-waxs-mad-confessions/4od
Its really interesting. Ruby Wax meets three people suffering with mental illness and sees what happens when they confess to their work colleagues about their illness. I am proud of Ruby Wax for helping break down the MH stigma. She is lucky because she was able to get help from the priory. Of course the majority of us cannot access treatments like her and celebrities. What I think would be really good if there was a programme showing mental health treatment under the NHS. So many people fall back because they are not able to access the treatments quickly enough. When I was struggling I called to priory to enquire. They told me its about £4600 a week without insurance. How crazy is that. Obviously i dont have that kind of money. NHS psych hospitals dont admit unless seriously suicidal and seriously ill due to lack of beds. Perhaps if I would have recieved treatment like Ruby Wax I could have recovered months ago. It just seems wrong that only the rich people can get the best mh help. Sorry I'm going off a tangent a bit again. But I really found that programme so interesting especially as they were making their illness aware in public. I dont think i could ever be that brave. Although I assume most of my work colleagues know why I have been absent from work for so long, it is still an unspoken subject. There is only 1 person who I feel a little comfortable talking about my depression but thats only because i know she understands because she has been there herself.

[Suzi]

The Priory though is world renowned for dealing with addiction and mh illness and for years only took the rich or famous, BUT there are other places which do the same kind of work but cheaper or with funding options.... I do agree with you though, so often it's so hard to actually get the treatment you need....