First transmitted in June 2002
Mental health problems are not confined to adults - a growing number of Britain's teenagers are experiencing them too. Inside My Head, a three-part documentary series, follows a number of young people living in the shadow of mental illness.
Society isn't always tolerant or understanding of mental health issues. With unprecedented access to some of the few specialist adolescent psychiatric units in the UK, and through personal video diaries, the series follows the teenagers through their highs and lows. We see their despair and frustration, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
Through their stories, we glimpse their worlds. We see what it means to experience schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder, and why some young people harm themselves. For most of us, these are conditions that are usually shielded behind closed doors. Inside My Head opens those doors so that we can begin to see the true picture.
The series begins with 16-year-old Michael, an outgoing and positive character who has suspected schizophrenia. Michael and his parents are determined he should live as normal a life as possible. The teenager attempts to focus on his GCSEs and starting sixth form. But while Michael's symptoms are kept under control with medication, there is always the fear of a further psychotic episode. As Michael prepares to start college, his mental health takes a turn for the worse. The camera shows us first hand what living with schizophrenia really means for Michael and his parents. Information and advice on schizophrenia is available in our Health House.
The second programme in the series focuses on Woodside, one of the few acute psychiatric adolescent units in Britain. We follow Emma and Carina. Emma is depressed and has become psychotic. Carina was admitted after she attempted to kill herself with an overdose of heroin. We see them attempting to overcome their difficulties and the psychiatric team’s discussions on how best to help them. For more information about mental illness visit our Mind Magazine.
After seven months at Longview, an adolescent psychiatric unit, Sarah is about to be discharged, leaving her friend Emma behind. In the third programme we follow Sarah on her journey back to the outside world. Video diaries offer a glimpse of the thoughts and feelings of both girls as they live under the shadow of mental illness but strive for happier times.
