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Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

s-jaySenior Contributor26 Sept 2018, 2:28 pm AEST

Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

This month, SBS is screening a new show with a bit of a controversial name – but the content is set to be quite powerful. “How ‘Mad’ Are You?” is a two-part documentary aiming to breakdown stigma, myths and stereotypes of mental illness in a whole new way.

In the show, ten Australians from all backgrounds and ages spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. All ten people agreed to take part in the hope of breaking down stigma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_WpRpWw_c

Straight after the second and final episode airs tonight on Thursday 18^th of October, we're lucky enough to have one of the cast members join us here on the forums so we can all have an online conversation about stigma – and what we can about it in our everyday lives.

Come and join us for a one hour, live facilitated discussion with our guest on Thursday 18 October from 9:30pm – 10:30pm AEDT right here on this thread.

It’s a bit of a late one, as we will start immediately after the show airs, but it will be a special one-off occasion so could be worth pushing past a few yawns for those of us with earlier bed times!

Do you have a question for the cast? Or a question about stigma you’d like to see discussed? <question link now closed - we'll do our best to touch on all the questions submitted so far! Thank you!>

If you have any questions for us about the session or show, do email us at team@saneforums.org

Want to be reminded that this is happening on the night? Hit the “Support” button below and we will send you an email notification on the night.

Thanks all, looking forward to it!

91 replies

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In response to: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Liss23Senior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:03 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Have to look into that. Bit behind with the times 😛

In response to: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

cameronContributor18 Oct 2018, 10:04 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

@Liss23 Thank you! I have experienced so much frustration with people not seeing past my illness. I just wanted people to see that i am just a regular person who gets up every morning and faces the day like anyone else.

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Liss23Senior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:06 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

I understand that. And also the other aspect of it not being recognised at all.

I think also attention is good attention. People start talking, that's what we need!

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Liss23Senior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:08 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Any attention is good attention**

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

s-jaySenior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:08 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

That's a fair question @MDT - I know it was directed at Cameron and I'm sure he will answer too, but from SANE's perspective, we supported the show because

The series opened up important public discussion around mental illness stereotypes and stigma, a conversation, which is too often ignored.
It encourages viewers to see past the label of a mental illness diagnosis and highlights the complexities of getting a correct diagnosis.
It shows mental illness doesn’t discriminate, and it challenges the stereotypes of what it means to live with a mental illness.
Viewers gained a unique insight into mental illness and learn that people with mental illness are no different to anyone else. It will help to help tear down the ‘them and us’ view of mental illness that contributes to stigma and discrimination.

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Liss23Senior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:10 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

I think you being on the show also makes us all feel more like regular people also! We appreciate you all taking part because it shows people we can also be as high functioning as anyone else 🙂

In response to: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

cameronContributor18 Oct 2018, 10:10 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

@MDT that is such a great question. I'm going to be brutally honest here.

The first review I read was by a reporter who used a mindset of comparing us to be a cross between, I think, The Bachelor and Married At First Sight, but then they called our show exploitive. They then subsequently addressed their readers by telling them the show 'that we needed to watch' during mental health week.

When the rest of group saw this review, honestly. they laughed.

I lost all credibility for the reviewer at that point.

What a lot of people don't usually see with an illness is the process of working it out. And matched with that, the human beings who were the editors of the show. They are learning about our illness too while they are drawing from their own experiences to try and edit it without prejudice or exploitation.

Everything about this show was a safe space and we completely knew that it was a learning curve for everyone involved to try and make it as respectful as possible.

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

s-jaySenior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:13 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful contributions. Our next question for Cameron and all of our participants is: “I've learned to hide signs of anxiety from my family. I do this to avoid having to explain myself all the time and see their eyes roll. Was this something the cast found relevant?” Cameron can you give us your thoughts, but we’d love to hear from everyone on this one!

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

ClairedSenior Contributor18 Oct 2018, 10:15 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

I have a question @cameron and @SANE- did you think the panel were trauma informed in their medical practice? they seemed to stick to medical issues more it seemed.

In response to: Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

cameronContributor18 Oct 2018, 10:15 pm AEDT

Re: Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

I've learned to hide signs of anxiety from my family. I do this to avoid having to explain myself all the time and see their eyes roll. Was this something the cast found relevant?

Absolutely. And I’m surprised the curvature of the earth hasn’t shifted by the eye roll and exasperated exhale we all have to give our family members in return 😉 I have had my fair share. Unfortunately, the emotion is see behind the eyes all too often is still 'sharpen up' or 'stop complaining and get on with things'

One day they’ll get it, but hopefully not as themselves being a patient.

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