David Harewood: Psychosis and Me

Actor David Harewood experienced an episode of psychosis and was sectioned when he was 23. In his documentary Psychosis and Me, David pieces together what happened by revisiting key locations and meeting with friends who witnessed his mental health problems develop. As well as exploring his own story, David meets with people experiencing mental health crises today.

1.2 million people watched psychosis and me on its release in 2019. After the broadcast, the number of visits to Mind’s information pages on psychosis more than doubled. This is an example of how good portrayals of mental health can encourage people to seek information, guidance and support.

David won Mind’s Speaking Out Award in 2019.

António shares his thoughts

António is a lived experience media volunteer for Mind. Antonio has experienced hallucinations and was referred to mental health services when he was younger. We asked him to reflect on David’s documentary.

“For me, it took a diagnosis that can seem super scary and managed to humanise it. It showed that a period of psychosis doesn’t need to be the end of the story. While it wasn’t a film about race and mental health it did powerfully acknowledge the role that racism does play in Black mental health and that seems more pertinent today than ever.”

- Gabby, Head of Seasons and Campaigns for BBC Factual.

Sathnam shares his thoughts

Sathnam is a renowned journalist, author and a judge for the Mind Media Awards. We asked him to share his thoughts on why David’s documentary is worthy of recognition this year.

"I think some of the most powerful scenes were when he met some of the young people. Young people like Kamwari, and Callum, and Conrad, who spoke incredibly honestly and directly about some of the more frightening aspects of this condition.”

- Emma Hindley, Executive Producer, Psychosis and Me.