As a general rule we would welcome programmes that encourage wider discussion to help improve understanding of mental health issues. For this reason we worked closely with Channel 4 last year to support their season 4 Goes Mad and were pleased with the content of the programmes made. We have also been really impressed with the episodes we’ve seen of the Bedlam series that is currently showing on Channel 4.

After concerns were expressed about the first season of Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners we set up a meeting with Channel 4 and the production company Betty. We stressed that what we wanted to see were more discussions on treatments, coping strategies and recovery and reference to the fact OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) encompasses a range of obsessive thoughts and actions not limited to cleaning.

After the meeting we hoped that these suggestions would be taken on-board for a second season, however, since then we have had no input into the production process. Having seen the first episode of the series we are concerned that the show has not improved and in its current form may increase misunderstanding about the condition of OCD.

We are also unhappy about the new strand in the show. The idea of the strand is to measure the levels of bacteria in everyday situations (i.e. going shopping or eating out). In last week’s episode we saw the team swabbing public toilets. We are concerned that this has the potential to be triggering possibly for viewers at home with a diagnosis of OCD. We are also concerned that without the input of an expert this could reinforce contributor’s like Hayley ‘need’ to clean and make her OCD compulsions seem more logical.

We think it is a mistake that there is not an on screen expert at all in the show and that the focus will continue to be on contamination OCD only which may perpetuate the myth that OCD is a ‘cleaning disorder’. We are also unhappy that there is no focus on treatment or recovery for OCD in the show.

It’s important to recognise that combining factual entertainment with mental health problems doesn’t necessarily have to be a no-go area. We will continue to feed back our thoughts and concerns to both the channel and the production company.

You can also read here one of our bloggers reacting to the show. Jack has OCD and took part in the BBC 3 Series Extreme OCD Camp