Hundreds of people tuned in for the live streaming of our one-off documentary which was broadcast on Thursday, July 8.

 
I’m Not Mad, I’m Me followed Kayleigh, Jo and Charlie who shared their experiences with managing their complex mental health and their recovery stories.

After the 30-minute screening a panel of experts took part in a Question and Answer session which was also well attended.

The documentary attracted a lot of media attention with local publications the Chronicle and Echo and Northampton Life publishing articles about it.

Kayleigh, who has been an inpatient at the Charity for three years, took part in a pre-recorded interview with BBC Radio Northampton’s Breakfast presenter Annabel Amos.

The local station also interviewed our Director of Communications Tom Bingham during its Drivetime show with Helen Blaby.

During the live stream, viewers were encouraged to comment and ask questions.

Kate Harrison, who watched online, said: “Amazing film. What brave young people. Thank you for trying to break the stigma.”

Another member of the audience, Lisa Lewis added: “This is a great documentary. I am glad I have been able to view and be part of this evening. Well done to all involved.”

A viewer with the handle Hammersley Homes called the film “truly heartwarming” and added that it was “wonderful to see the work you do with these vulnerable young people helping them to build confidence and faith in their own abilities to take control of their lives”.

Tom led the panel discussion afterwards which covered themes such as mental health stigma, clinical decisions and quality of care.

He was joined by Paul Burstow, Chair of St Andrew's, Estelle Randle, a Peer Essential Skills Facilitator, with lived experience of secure mental health care and Dr Peter McAllister who spoke about the importance of hope.

He said: “It’s the job of me and the team to hold onto that hope for their recovery. But in those darkest hours, as we heard Jo say on the tape, it’s about us getting alongside the patients and working with them, making them feel supported and we will hold the hope for you.”

Paul also took the time to explain a bit more about what St Andrew’s is doing about spreading awareness of mental health.

He said: “We’re a charity with a hospital, not a hospital with a charity. And it’s quite important to us that as part of that, we see our mission, on behalf of those we are here to serve, that we provide a platform for those voices to be heard.

"I think increasingly we should turn up the volume for those voices so that people get to tell their own stories, because it’s through those stories, more people get to understand the truth about mental illness, the opportunities to recover and build more hope.”

To watch the documentary, click here.

​​​​​​​To watch the documentary and the panel discussion afterwards, click here.