Last August I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and spend two months in hospital. When I was discharged I decided that I wanted to do something with my life and turn a negative into a positive and so I began working with Fixers. Around the same time I noticed a lot of pro-ana and pro-mental illness posts appearing all over social networking and one comment that really stuck out to me was someone saying that they wanted to be sectioned so that they could have a hug whenever their sad. I was also shocked by the amount of comments about mental illness being fashionable and people likening the psychiatric ward to a big sleepover but that is not the reality.
I wrote a spoken word piece and used my photography along with Fixer’s filming and editing to create a piece to explain what being sectioned is like from a patient’s perspective whilst also targeting the groups in social media that aspire to be unwell. Being sectioned often feels like something I should keep secret and be ashamed of so that’s exactly why I decided to shout about it publicly. There should be no stigma.
Feel free to share this video and spread it’s message.
Mental Illness Talk 
Reblogged this on The Great Balancing Act and commented:
This may be triggering for some but I think it’s worth watching. There are some people out there who strive for sickness, think being sectioned is a positive. This is the reality.
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I saw this film at the Feel Happy Eating Fix in London last month. I thought it was a very moving, touching film. I hope you are doing better now. Wishing you all the best x
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Overwhelming, and tear-provoking. Never stop doing what you do, Claire; you’re an inspiration.
Louise xxx
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I retweeted your video on Twitter. It was very powerful.
I have never been “sectioned,” living in the U.S. But, I have been gone to the psychiatric hospital several times due to not being able to keep myself safe. And hugs are strictly prohibited. It’s under the roof of sexual activity. Most of the nurses turn a blind eye when people are leaving. But it’s absolutely not allowed. I cannot believe people would want to be sectioned for this reason. When you’re sad, you cry. You cry and hope someone comes to talk to you, which usually no one does.
Thank you for this piece.
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Very Powerful video.
Thank you for having the strength to share your life, so I and many others can show people this, and help them in their journey through mental health. Stephen.
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Reblogged this on livingwithbonecancer.wordpress.com.
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