News

The service user documentary “Us”, was recently selected for screening at the prestigious Scottish Mental Heath Arts Festival in Glasgow, one of the world’s leading events dedicated to mental health, organised by the Mental Health Foundation.

On Friday 18 October, filmmaker Tim Mercier along with Lorna and Ling-Ling, two participants whose experiences are featured in the film, attended the festival for the screening and a Q&A. During the Q&A, they discussed the film's creation and the vital role the participants played in shaping its narrative. Tim emphasised that the film was “as much about the process as the product”, highlighting the collaborative journey behind the film.

The idea for “Us” originated in 2022, when Tim Mercier, a local filmmaker with personal experience of mental health challenges, proposed a unique film project to the Partnership. The project, hosted by Tottenham Talking, a community mental health project in the St Ann’s area, became a collaborative effort with other service users.

The film explores the diverse experiences of mental health service users, touching on themes of trauma, stigma, racism, gender, and cultural influences. Through creative storytelling, it aims to foster deeper reflection and open dialogue about mental health, both within healthcare settings and the wider community.

Between March 2022 and May 2023, participants first learned film skills and techniques as part of a film club, before being invited to take part in the film's production.

“Creativity was at the centre of the telling of each of our stories, each bringing ideas for how our stories might be told, aspects of our lives and parts of ourselves around and beyond our mental health challenges: camping and other outdoor ‘play’ activities; costume making; drawing and painting; hairdressing and nail art; poetry; music; mental health activism and more. For all of us, it was the process of working together, with a common cause, building trust and friendships with one another that became as important as any outcome.”

Since it’s competition, “Us” has been screened at over 20 events, both within and beyond the Partnership, and we are now inviting more teams and groups to use the film as a tool for reflection and learning.

Here’s what some people had to say about the film:

‘I found the film really powerful, and in particular the young man who shares his story and his thoughts about what has happened to him. The imagery of the netting and the "black sheep" mask he reveals from the box seemed to explain something about his experience that is beyond words - and that is important because of the focus on childhood and its impact on us

Above all, the film showed me the importance of our childhoods in shaping our futures - and the importance of getting the right help, when we need it - which must always be grounded, first and foremost, in compassion.’

"Us" is available for screenings, and organisations interested in hosting an event are encouraged to get in touch.  For more information or to arrange a screening, please contact our team{nlft.communications@nhs.net}