Posted: Thursday 19 May 2005
Brilliant storylining and acting raising awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, suicide...
Openmind reader on The Archers
Mental health charity Mind yesterday announced BBC Radio 4's The Archers and 'Rocky' Bennett's sister Joanna as its Champions of the Year at the annual Mind Awards ceremony in London hosted by Melvyn Bragg, as part of Mind week 2005. They follow the first ever Champion of the Year last year: Frank Bruno.
The charity asked the readers of Openmind, Mind's house magazine, together with Mind staff, to nominate the people who they thought had made the most significant contribution over the last year in challenging the widespread stigma concerning mental health issues.
Joanna Bennett was nominated for her tireless campaigning bringing about the enquiry into 'Rocky' Bennett's death, through this raising awareness of the racial discrimination facing black and minority ethnic mental health service users. The enquiry's recommendations are a core part of the Government's 'Delivering Racial Equality' strategy.
The Archers was chosen for its storylines featuring 26-year old Helen Archer (played by Louiza Patikas) in a difficult relationship with local gamekeeper Greg Turner (Marc Finn), who became very depressed and finally committed suicide. Helen, overcome with guilt and grief, displayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and developed an eating disorder. Another storyline is that of 86-year old Jack Woolley (Arnold Peters) and his wife Peggy (June Spencer) facing Jack's battle with dementia.
The above actors together with producer Kate Oates collected the Award yesterday. Vanessa Whitburn, editor of The Archers, said:
"Thank you to all the readers of Openmind and the professionals in the area of mental health who voted for us. We are delighted that our story has been recognised in this way."
Mind's Chief Executive Richard Brook said: "It is an honour to acclaim Joanna Bennett as Champion for her determined and courageous work to highlight racial discrimination issues in mental health. We also commend the sensitive and informed coverage that The Archers has given to mental health issues over the last year. Such writing plays an important part in helping remove the stigma attached to mental health, showing that anyone can be affected by mental distress of some kind - as indeed 1 in 4 of us is every year."