A group of service users at Cygnet Hospital Stevenage have developed, produced and starred in a fictional and unflinching portrayal of the kind of discrimination and bullying that individuals with mental health issues experience. Called ‘Unlabelled’ the aim of the film is to try and help break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
Cygnet Hospital Stevenage Unlabelled from Cygnet Health Care on Vimeo.
The basic concept arose in a workshop in September 2015 when service users were brainstorming ideas for a group project. The initial idea was to create a play with the help of Geese Theatre who had held some successful workshops at the hospital earlier that summer. Due to the potential restriction of leave opportunities affecting the chances of performing the play to the public the service users then came up with the idea of creating a short film.
Geese Theatre, along with Reel to Reel, were invited to help support the production and joined the team at Stevenage for a week in October 2015. In addition to brainstorming ideas for the film and portraying the fictional characters the service users were also taught how to use the camera, sound boom and clicker board so they could film all of it themselves. The service users loved this aspect of the project, saying they really enjoyed learning new skills and it made them feel like it was truly their own project.
By the end of the week the service users had produced “Unlabelled”. The film was given its premiere in a screening for everyone at the hospital with an introduction and question and answers session given by the service users involved in the project. As an added bonus the audience was also treated to a reel of bloopers.
Following the hospital screening, the film was taken and showcased at North Hertfordshire College to 30 students. One of the service users attended to introduce the film and take questions afterwards. It was extremely well received, with one student saying, “The woman who was guest speaking really touched me. I could have never been that courageous when I was suffering myself. She was extremely brave and admirable.”
The plan is to continue to share the film with the local community and the hospital are currently in discussions with the local Police force who have expressed an interest in using it as part of their mandatory training package. The whole project has been an enjoyable and productive one for service users and staff alike with one of the service users remarking, “I thought there was no future for me but being part of this project has given me hope.”