Speaking out against stigma

Adam Hatcher works on Time to Change’s fit4Life project at Andover
Mind. Adam has spoken out publicly about his own experiences of
mental health discrimination, and recently took part in Comic Relief’s
Red Nose Day film about stigma. We catch up with Adam about his
experiences and what it was like to see himself on TV.

How did you first get involved with

Time to Change?

I had been an almost total recluse for almost a decade after having serious depression in my teens, when I was referred to the Andover project. Through that, I got involved with Time to Change more widely. I hope to play my part, however big or small, in changing the way this country thinks about mental health.

What kind of activities did you get involved in?

I signed up for just about every activity that I could, like rambling, gardening, yoga and horseriding - to get me out of the house and socializing again. Things went really well and I started to rediscover a confident side of me that hadn’t really existed since I was about 15.

And how did you end up working on the project?

After a few months, I felt confident enough to become a volunteer. Then a
vacancy for a project worker prompted me think about working in mental health – something I’d wanted to do as a teen to try and emulate the people who helped me. After deliberating a bit, I applied and was successful, and now I’m loving my work.

How have stigma and discrimination affected you?

When I was 15, I spent eight months in a child psychiatric unit and when I came out, the kids on the estate near where I lived found out. Over the next few years, literally every time I left the house I would be attacked, have abuse shouted at me and was called every derogatory name you can think of. As a result, I started to go out less and less. This led to my decade of being a hermit with no friends or social life – which lasted till I was referred to fit4Life.

Why were you keen to take part in the Comic Relief film?

I was quite nervous about it, but I felt that I had experiences that could be useful, and wanted to do my bit to try and raise awareness of a problem that not many people realise exists.

How did you find the filming?

I found it less stressful than I thought I might, and the very helpful staff in the green room calmed what nerves I did have. Having makeup applied was an interesting experience! When I went in to film, I was amazed at the brightness and heat of the lights, but as I got into it, it started to feel just like a normal conversation.

How did you feel when you saw the film - and yourself - on TV on Red

Nose Day?

Seeing myself was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. The strangest part was hearing my own voice. I felt I sounded like a right country bumpkin! On reflection though, I am very proud I did it.

What has the reaction been like from colleagues, friends and family?

Colleagues and family who know what a big deal it was for me seem very proud.  When they found out that Richard Curtis was involved in producing it, a few people asked if I was going to be the lead in Love Actually 2! Generally, the response has been very positive and most people think it is a very well made film that highlights the issues without pleading.

I hope anyone who sees the film just takes one minute to think about people they may have known in their life for whom mental health problems have been an issue. Most people will know at least one person. The public are accepting about most physical illnesses but don’t seem to feel the same about mental illness. I hope that they realise that people
with mental health problems can and do lead normal lives.