How Television Gives A Voice To Mental Health

Television plays a key role in de-stigmatising mental health issues and encouraging people to speak out, particularly those not accustomed to sharing what they may feel is a shameful secret.  

In this session we talk to two senior television executives who recently tackled this sensitive territory of programming, receiving critical success and a wider legacy.

David Dehaney and Camilla Lewis will be talking to session Chair Magnus Temple about the creative and ethical issues as well as protocols involved with producing high profile programming about mental health.

Our Dementia Choir With Vicky McClure (Curve) was made for BBC One and the Open University.  Bafta award-winning actor Vicky McClure took viewers on a deeply personal journey to discover the true extent of music’s power in fighting dementia.

Suicidal: In Our Own Words (Proper Content) followed the work carried out by the Central and North-West London Mental Health Trust and the stories of six men who have twenty suicide attempts between them. How You Can Help Stop Suicide (Proper Content) offered support and advice to anyone struggling with their mental health or concerned about a loved one’s state of mind.  Both films were produced for Channel 5. 

Daisy Maskell: Insomnia and Me (Proper Content), commissioned by BBC3, followed the Kiss FM DJ in her quest to overcome her sleeplessness. Daisy met with experts to get to the cause of her sleep disorder and there were revealing and emotional insights into her struggle with her own mental health along the way. 

Speakers

Camilla Lewis, CEO, Curve Media has spent her career creating high-quality, entertaining programming for major broadcasters. She has created and overseen some of household name brands on British television including Four Rooms, Great British Railway Journeys, Escape To The Country and Grand Design.

David Dehaney, Creative Director, Proper Content is an award-winning director and executive producer who is responsible for numerous successful series and significant documentaries over a twenty-three year career. He has also held senior positions in some of the UK’s leading production companies.  

Session chair is Magnus Temple, CEO, The Garden

Producer for ScreenSkills: Katherine Parsons

 

This event is supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and Channel 5.

It is part of a ScreenSkills programme to support freelancers to upskill and stay connected, helping keep the industry resilient in these difficult times.

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply for ticket’ and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application