What do you think of Mental As on ABC?

[Guest_9466]

Hello,

Not sure where to post this, so moderator, you are welcome to move this thread to another appropriate slot?

Has anyone seen the Mental As screened by ABC TV. I am not sure if I am happy with the way those with mental health issues were portrayed. Yes, perhaps they want to cover a whole spectrum but why don't the powers to be, includes people who suffer from depression but can still function daily at home and in the workplace.? It is true that I may not be as productive but I was still able to work and contribute to the family income. I didn't claim any disability allowance or any social security benefit.

Seeing the program makes me ashamed to let people know that

I suffered from depression. It is no wonder that there is a stigma attached to depression / mental health issues.

[White_Rose]

Hello MG

I presume you have watched the hospital program on Mental As. There have been a number of other programs under this umbrella about topics such as suicide, everyday people managing their illnesses and medication. If you have access to iview perhaps you can catch up with these.

However, I do agree about the hospital program. It really shows the extreme side of mental illness and I think it reinforces the stereotypical image of mental illness. But in the interest of showing all facets I suppose it works. At least the program was positive about people recovering and leading normal lives. Not all bad news.

Mary

[Guest_9466]

Hi Mary

Thank you for replying. I did go back to view other segments but I still think it does not portray those of us who suffers from depression and yet function as well as we can until one day, it just gets too much and too overwhelming. The day we cracked over what appears to be a minor thing but goes a whole lot deeper than that. At least, that had been my experience and my journey with depression.

[Snoman]

Hi MG,

I had pretty much the same reaction as you.  The only positive (to me) program that I cam across was Felicity's Mental Mission with Felicity Ward.  She is a comedian with Anxiety, and shows both how it affects her, and how she is still functional.  There was also a well recognised Aussie celeb, which I won't mention to encourage people to watch the shop and find out.

Given the sheer number of people with depression, there must be lots of people going about productive lives struggling with it at the same time.  I would love to see more shows showing that side.

Snoman