Watch Don't Call Me Crazy

Don't Call Me Crazy was a three-part BBC documentary series that first aired in May 2013. The show explored the lives of young people living with mental health issues at the McGuinness Unit, a specialist adolescent mental health facility in Manchester, England. The series aimed to tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness, dispel common misconceptions, and provide an insight into the experiences of those living with mental health issues. The show's title was inspired by the constant refrain heard by the young people featured in the series: "Don't call me crazy."

The first episode introduced viewers to the McGuinness Unit and some of the young people being treated there. We met 15-year-old Becky, who had been sectioned under the UK's Mental Health Act after experiencing hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. We also met 17-year-old Jack, who had been admitted to the unit after self-harming and had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Throughout the episode, we saw the young people being interviewed by staff members about their mental health and undergoing various forms of therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and group sessions. We also saw snippets of their daily routines, from medication administration to time spent in their rooms.

The second episode delved deeper into the patients' personal lives and explored some of the triggers behind their mental health issues. We met Chloe, a 16-year-old with a history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts, who spoke candidly about the difficulties she had faced growing up with an absent father and an emotionally distant mother.

We also heard from 18-year-old Kati, who had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and had experienced significant trauma in her childhood. Kati's story was particularly harrowing as she revealed that she had been sexually abused by a family member and had struggled to open up about it until seeking help at the McGuinness Unit.

The third and final episode focused on the recovery and transition of the young people back into their home environments. We saw the patients participating in workshops aimed at improving their self-esteem, developing coping mechanisms and learning life skills such as budgeting and cooking.

The show also touched on the difficulties faced by some of the patients once they left the safety of the McGuinness Unit. Rebecca, for example, was admitted back to the unit just two weeks after being discharged due to her continued struggles with her mental health.

Overall, Don't Call Me Crazy was an emotive and thought-provoking series that shone a light on the realities of living with mental illness as a young person. The show was praised for its sensitive and compassionate portrayal of its subjects and was widely credited with helping to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding them.

In addition to its impact on audiences, the series also had a positive effect on some of the patients featured. Some reported feeling more confident and empowered after seeing themselves on-screen and receiving messages of support from viewers.

In 2021, the McGuinness Unit was closed down as part of wider changes to mental health services in Manchester. However, the impact of Don't Call Me Crazy continues to be felt by all those who watched it and were moved by its powerful storytelling.