When it comes to mental health, the media has not always been accurate in its depiction of what it’s like to live with conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. We’ve seen countless examples, whether it be on TV, movies, or social media, where a person living with a mental health challenge is made out to be flawed or even dangerous. These representations contribute to the stigma associated with mental illness which is a significant factor in why people do not seek help.
With the state of our world today, awareness about mental health is more important than ever. And one of the most effective means of bringing this issue to the forefront is, in fact, the media. One person who wants to do this is Charles Mattocks. Mattocks is an award-winning actor, director, producer, television host, and health advocate whose priority is health first. He also happens to be the nephew of the late great Bob Marley, so with this lineage, it should come as no surprise that he is taking the healthcare world by storm. An accomplished actor, Mattocks notably starred with a pivotal role in “The Summer of Ben Tyler” alongside legends James Woods and Elizabeth McGovern.
As a person living with Type 2 diabetes, Mattocks used his condition as a platform to raise awareness about the disease in his documentary, “The Diabetic You” which explores the diabetes epidemic. He then went on to produce the diabetes docu-series “Reversed’ which aired on the Discovery Life Channel. Mattocks followed up with “Eight Days,” a program that focuses on cancer.
Each program brings together 5 individuals who live with these conditions along with experts in their respective fields. They both approach what it’s like to live with diabetes and cancer in a raw and real manner.
Now Mattocks is moving forward with his next endeavor in the Eight Days series, this time tackling mental health. This groundbreaking approach is guaranteed to shed new light on what so many of us face every day. As a person living with bipolar disorder and someone who works in the fields of mental health education and advocacy, I believe that we need to have more honest and open perspectives on what it’s like to live with a mental health challenge.
I’ve been asked by Mattocks to be a part of this project and in our initial discussion when he asked me what my role could be, I replied about the importance of having a peer/professional voice. I’ve lived with BP since 1981 and have worked in the behavioral health field for over 19 years. Both Reversed and Eight Days have had ‘house mentors” during the filming to assist the program’s participants in their quest for wellbeing and he suggested that I could fill that role.
When I consider the gravity of this responsibility I realize that the program has the potential of reaching millions. This is all the more reason why the Eight Days mental health series is so important. It will not only focus on the mental health diagnoses themselves, but it will also show how a variety of wellness-related tools can be employed to improve one’s quality of life. The integration of psychotherapy, practices such as meditation and exercise, as well as the exploration of the power of community will be utilized to demonstrate that recovery is possible. The team of experts on hand will lend their expertise to those who are participating and help these individuals to create a new plan for living. By doing so, they will be demonstrating how people can improve their lives.
Production for the next in the Eight days docu-series is scheduled for later this year. Mattocks has already garnered the support of professional athletes, who themselves had had their mental health challenges, including former NBA athlete Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Metta World Peace), who lives with depression and NFL player Brandon Marshall who lives with borderline personality disorder. Both Sandiford-Artest and Marshall have become outspoken mental health advocates.
Look for Eight Days on a major cable outlet down the road and help spread the word about this incredibly important program.
Shallowhorn Consulting is a full-service consulting firm that offers custom-made, clinically-based professional development and training to companies that are invested in the overall well-being of their staff, customers as well as the community-at-large.
Amazing! Having experienced anxiety and depression myself and having witnessed mental health experiences of others (some of which have led to suicide), I cannot express how important this is! Mental health does not stop short of anyone! Whatever our circumstances! From all walks of life and ‘social status’. Knowing Charles Mattocks and whoever will be involved, this will be groundbreaking, timely and for greater good! So needed! Thank you ?❤️
I left a comment, but as a CRPS patient of 20 years, I can tell you so much about the trauma of being a pain patient dealing with raising 5 children, an unconnected partner and 20 plus years of social isolation. Twenty years of treatment by a physiatrist only to be forced off high dosages of benzodiazepines due to the opiate crisis. Only to go through so much stress it created full systemic sensory neurological issues and other symptoms of autonomic mixed neuropathies due to Sjögren Syndrome and undiagnosed autoimmunes. I am treating myself with hyperbaric chamber, supplements and food… Read more »
Eight days really changed my perspective on how cancer can be treated and cured. What a wonderfully well done kind caring compassionate series. I’m very excited about the mental health aspect. Western culture’s idea of Mental Health treatment is only numbing the pain and only dealing with a portion of the symptoms that show up. They have no idea how to get to the root cause of the symptoms. I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 and ADHD as well as PTSD from a psychosis landed me in the hospital for a month. I only got prescribed medicine. No alternative… Read more »
Sounds wonderful Charles. I suffered for many years with a severe anxiety disorder brought on through unresolved childhood trauma.
Mental health can be considered one of the main things to treat in any human being. A greater percentage in the whole world suffers from some emotional disorder and has become a serious problem, as much as the pandemic has been. But there are people who simply do not accept that they have problems and that is enough to not be able to be helped. There are those of us who have suffered from this type of problem since childhood and nobody had noticed. In my case, I had to reach the age of 30 and a detonator what made… Read more »
I so love the last show that he did.I am a fan. I learned a lot from his last show. I can’t wait to see what I learn from this new series.
Mental health is definitely a huge factor dealing with a lifetime chronic illness.
I’m excited to see where the show goes
Incredible, seeing a season that explores the causes of mental illness and the treatments would be groundbreaking
As someone who suffers from social anxieties and other unresolved/undiagnosed issues due to an extremely traumatic childhood, a program of this caliber will be well received for sure. Me personally growing up I always rejected any offer of help or counseling, as I felt the social stigma associated with being labeled as having a mental illness, would be detrimental in some way so I avoided getting labeled at all. This show is just the thing I need to watch right now! I need to see that others can overcome what I’ve been covering up my whole life. Show me what… Read more »
This issue touches every family somehow – ends up being reflected when they present for healthcare; how they react to stressful situations; how their children react to stress at school or at home and most certainly reflected in the judicial system. There is such stigma about admitting personal experiences with MH issues and seeking help from qualified professionals. Any education you can do, may help people see themselves in your profiles and help them to see the benefits of getting help. If they could only realize there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, when the… Read more »
I love these docuseries, they bring a lot of awareness to the people that need it the most. Mental health issues have been present for a long time, it is time to stop looking at it as a problem and embrace the beauty of each and every single person.
I am very grateful for all the change makers that are making a positive impact in our world. Thank you Charles for all your hard work!
Such uplifting information and Charles is a soldier for healthy living. Im looking forward to the traveling round table discussion when they come to Georgia (hint, hint)
A lot of long term illnesses do bring with them things like anxiety and depression. Its fantastic that this is being highlighted.
I have left you a few messages as I so believe in what you are doing. I have CRPS. Twenty years. I don’t understand what NBA players can lend to patients dealing with the mental anguish of CRPS pain and coping skills needed to navigate our plight.