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Royal premiere for children's advert
SCHOOLCHILDREN won Royal praise for a hard-hitting advert which tackles the stigma of mental illness.
The Princess Royal was guest of honour at Sunderland Cineworld for the launch of a commercial created by and starring youngsters from Thornhill School, which will be seen by up to four million people at cinemas across Britain.
Part of the Take A Stand campaign, a mental health task force formed in the city in 2003, the 30-second advert speaks plainly about often hidden issues such as self-abuse, bulimia, bullying and depression – and urges people not to judge others.
"You did a fantastic job," said The Princess Royal, who was at yesterday's premiere as patron of the College of Occupational Therapists.
"I'm pleased to see you have taken a stand on the issue of mental health in the community, and particularly with young people."
She described the advert as "very powerful," and said it would help ensure mental health is "not something to be brushed under the carpet."
It uses strong images of teenagers in desperate situations, such as cutting their own arms, to send out its message, accompanied by a simple but punchy voiceover which says: "There are two sides to every story.
The adverts finishes with the message: "One in 10 young people suffer from some form of mental health related illness. Don't make assumptions. Know the facts."
Produced for 5,000 by Paul McCoy, 23, a Sunderland University student from Whitburn, the commercial will be seen by an estimated 3.8million across the Cineworld UK chain.
"If just one per cent of those listen and take home the message, that's the important thing," said Graeme Smith, 38, from Houghton, the innovative occupational therapist who inspired the youngsters to develop the ad.
Nominated for the Royal Television Society Awards, the film will also be sent out in teaching packs to schools, accompanied by a behind the scenes video in which the Thornhill pupils explain how making the ad changed their views on mental health.
Natasha Taylor, 15, from Millfield, plays a girl with bulimia, forcing herself to throw up to stay thin.
"I know someone that does that," she said. "And when I was playing the part it made me realize it's a horrible thing to have."
Adam Wright, 16, from High Barnes, said: "It helped me and my friends to realize how people who experience mental health illnesses and their families are often unfairly treated and stigmatized when – in reality – they are just normal people with health problems just like you and me.
"I hope that the commercial helps to challenge and change people's attitudes."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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