BBC announces ‘mental health season’ with issue ‘more important than ever’

The BBC is to air a “mental health season” of programmes, including a film with the Duke of Cambridge.

The broadcaster’s boss said the coronavirus epidemic means that the issue is “more important than ever”.

Mental Health Awareness Week will be marked with a range of programmes across TV and radio throughout May.

BBC Director-General Lord Hall said: “Mental health is important and, during this pandemic, more important than ever. Many people may be struggling alone, be worried about maintaining their own well-being, or want to better equip themselves to help loved ones.

“That’s why bringing mental health issues out into the open is so important. Our programmes aim to do just that. They highlight the issues affecting many and will hopefully help people seek the support they need.”

Previous documentaries including Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad, Alastair Campbell: Depression And Me, Killed By My Debt, and Nadiya: Anxiety And Me will be screened again.

New documentaries include Tackling Mental Health with The Duke of Cambridge (the working title) and What’s The Matter With Tony Slattery, in which the comic seeks answers to his mental health problems.

The previously-announced film featuring William focuses on “men’s mental health through the prism of football”, with access to the duke “over the course of a year”.

He meets players, fans and managers, including former England goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, “as part of his efforts to start the biggest ever conversation on mental health, through football”, the BBC said.

BBC Content director Charlotte Moore said it has “never felt more important to raise awareness and bring the conversation out into the open when so many people are feeling isolated and alone.

“We’re taking our commitment even further to provide a vital support to those in need and reach an even broader audience with programmes that will explore what we can all do to look after ourselves, help loved ones and deal with the anxiety so many are experiencing through this crisis,” she said.

Radio programming will include Jeremy Vine, on his BBC Radio 2 show, discussing how to support a loved one who is feeling suicidal.

Radio 3’s offerings will feature Essential Classics, for listeners “to pause and reflect with a daily ‘slow moment’, an eclectic range of classical music”.

CBBC’s Newsround will mark the week with themes around kindness and the emotional well-being of boys.

And BBC Bitesize’s new daily lessons will include a dedicated well-being segment on BBC iPlayer for children aged five to 11 every Friday.