On Ruby Wax's Mad Confessions (as usual for me, several days after this was actually on tv, but like anyone watches things on actual televisions at the time programmes are actually on any more)
It's good that mental illness is being discussed on television and at Ruby Wax's shows, especially as it still carries a huge amount of stigma. The show's treatment of such a delicate issue was wonderfully refreshing, as was the bravery of the three people who spoke, for the first time, to their co-workers and employees about their mental health.
So far so good, but it all left me wondering how realistic or usual Ruby Wax's set up was. Would there have been the same response without the cameras rolling? That all involved were wealthy and white was problematic. Not to say that those with privilege don't suffer from mental illness, but that the image is successful white celebrities discussing their struggle has shifted the discourse around mental health problems in a troubling way.
From much of the popular press it seems that mental illness only affects the super rich and super talented. Of course, many mental illnesses, notably bipolar disorder, often correlate with intelligence or creative ability. Whether this has less to do with any inherent connection and more with the ability of intelligent and creative people to access and eloquently use channels of communication to describe their experiences, is another issue. Again, I cannot fail to stress the positive work done by celebrities describing their mental illnesses, but we mustn't lose sight of the more everyday suffering.
The reality of mental illness within society is far more complicated and far less glamorous than the clean safety of the Priory, which Wax visits during her show. Most people suffering with mental illness can't access a personal trainer, in fact many wait months before even accessing basic counselling. The problem is worse for 16-18 year olds, who, in many areas, are unable to access both child and adult services. Poor access to treatment and social stigma, especially surrounding the idea of modern masculinity, prevent sufferers from getting help. It's no wonder that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 35.
My problem is not with Wax's show or Mind's celebrity based campaigning of itself, both have motivated people to talk about mental illness in new ways. We mustn't let the model of wealthy, white and often celebrity mental illness become the dominant one, no matter how glamorous tabloids paint it as. The reality of mental health problems are far darker and bleaker, and we mustn't let ourselves forget that.
It's good that mental illness is being discussed on television and at Ruby Wax's shows, especially as it still carries a huge amount of stigma. The show's treatment of such a delicate issue was wonderfully refreshing, as was the bravery of the three people who spoke, for the first time, to their co-workers and employees about their mental health.
So far so good, but it all left me wondering how realistic or usual Ruby Wax's set up was. Would there have been the same response without the cameras rolling? That all involved were wealthy and white was problematic. Not to say that those with privilege don't suffer from mental illness, but that the image is successful white celebrities discussing their struggle has shifted the discourse around mental health problems in a troubling way.
From much of the popular press it seems that mental illness only affects the super rich and super talented. Of course, many mental illnesses, notably bipolar disorder, often correlate with intelligence or creative ability. Whether this has less to do with any inherent connection and more with the ability of intelligent and creative people to access and eloquently use channels of communication to describe their experiences, is another issue. Again, I cannot fail to stress the positive work done by celebrities describing their mental illnesses, but we mustn't lose sight of the more everyday suffering.
- Past and recent research suggests that some groups – notably Black Caribbean, Black African and other Black groups – are over-represented in psychiatric hospitals
- More than 70% of the prison population has two or more mental health disorders,with male prisoners being 14 times more likely to have two or more disorders than men in general, and female prisoners are 35 times more likely than women in general.
- People with mental health conditions are far less likely to be homeowners. Those with a mental disorder are far more likely than those with no disorder to be living in rented accommodation (38 per cent compared to 24 per cent).
- Mental health conditions are the primary reason for claiming health-related benefits.
- An estimated 69 per cent of rough sleepers suffer from both mental ill health and a substance misuse problem
- According to an online survey by the Mental Health Foundation, only 42% of people who visited their GP with depression were offered counselling, although 82% of them would have been willing to try it.
The reality of mental illness within society is far more complicated and far less glamorous than the clean safety of the Priory, which Wax visits during her show. Most people suffering with mental illness can't access a personal trainer, in fact many wait months before even accessing basic counselling. The problem is worse for 16-18 year olds, who, in many areas, are unable to access both child and adult services. Poor access to treatment and social stigma, especially surrounding the idea of modern masculinity, prevent sufferers from getting help. It's no wonder that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 35.
My problem is not with Wax's show or Mind's celebrity based campaigning of itself, both have motivated people to talk about mental illness in new ways. We mustn't let the model of wealthy, white and often celebrity mental illness become the dominant one, no matter how glamorous tabloids paint it as. The reality of mental health problems are far darker and bleaker, and we mustn't let ourselves forget that.
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