Recovery film makes the shortlist for a national award

Local resident among the giants of broadcasting

In a real David and Goliath story, a local resident's film about recovering from mental illness has made the shortlist of the Mental Health Media Awards 2010 - and is the only film out of 25 not produced for the BBC, SKY, ITV, or Channel 4.

'Recovery: stories of coping with mental health problems' was made by Michelle McNary - a film maker from Clapham who has experience of using South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust's services.  The film explores the concept of recovery through the personal experiences of four people diagnosed with schizophrenia and is hosted on the Trust's new website.

The 16 minute film has been designed to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to people suffering mental illness and crucially, does so in a format and style that is easy for the public to understand and access.  Staff working in mental health are also using the film as a tool, both for teaching and as part of the therapy or care they provide.

Michelle said: "I wanted the film to be insightful and original, so I approached the interviews in the film with an open mind and let them tell their own stories. Their experiences touch you and they come across as recovery heroes rather than victims of mental illness, which could easily have been the case.

"'Recovery' is my first documentary and I hope it successfully promotes the concept of recovery and the often unique way individuals approach it.  Above all, I want my film to give people hope."

The awards are run by Mind and final judging of the short listed entries will take place in October and the winners of each category will be announced on Monday 22nd November 2010, at the British Film Institute in London.

'Recovery' was made possible through the funding from the Charitable Trustees of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

'Recovery: stories of coping with mental health problems' can be viewed at www.slam.nhs.uk/patients/recovery

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