Mental Health Matters

The Psychedelic Drug Trial (2021)

Published on 04/14/2022 by Andrew MarshallLeave a comment

Introduction

With exclusive access to a ground-breaking trial, this film asks if psychedelic drugs combined with psychological support can help tackle one of the biggest medical challenges we face – depression.

Outline

The Psychedelic Drug Trial has exclusive access to a ground-breaking new trial at Imperial College London. The trial sees, for the first time ever under controlled conditions, a psychedelic drug tested head-to-head against a standard antidepressant as a treatment for depression.

The film follows a pioneering team of scientists and psychotherapists, led by Professor David Nutt, Dr Robin Carhart-Harris and Dr Rosalind Watts, as they compare the effects of psilocybin (the active ingredient of magic mushrooms) with an antidepressant (an SSRI called escitalopram) on a small group of participants with clinical depression. This is scientific research at its most cutting edge. With over seven million people being prescribed antidepressants each year in England alone, this drug trial is an important milestone in understanding a completely different treatment for depression.

Filmed over 16 months, this film explores both the immediate and long-term impacts of the trial on the lives of participants. It investigates whether psychedelic drugs combined with psychological support could help tackle one of the biggest medical challenges faced today and what it takes to conduct research in uncharted scientific territory.

How do psychedelic drugs measure up against the industry-standard antidepressants that have been popular since the 1990s? The empirical results of the trial are explored alongside the participants’ powerful lived experience.

About the Trial

All psychedelic drug use shown in this programme was part of a carefully controlled clinical trial under the supervision of specially trained psychotherapists.

The trial was run by Professor Nutt, Dr Carhart-Harris and Dr Watts and their team at Imperial College from 2019 to 2020. Fifty-nine participants took part, the trial is now finished.

The psychedelic drugs used in the trial are illegal in the UK and not available for medical treatment. You should always consult your doctor before you stop, change or start any new treatment.

Production & Filming Details

Director(s):
- Sam Eastall.
Producer(s):
- Caroline Lai … line producer.
- Alice Martineau … producer.
- Anna Murphy … executive producer.
- Sabine Pusch … edit producer.
- Caroline Willis … line producer.
Writer(s):
Music:
Cinematography:
- Richard Jephcote … director of photography.
Editor(s):
- Zoe Davis … editor.
- Alex Spence … assistant editor.
Production:
- Grain Media.
Distributor(s):
- BBC Two (2021) (UK) (TV).
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2021) (UK) (all media).
Release Date: 19 May 2021 (UK).
Running Time: 59 minutes.
Rating: Unknown.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder, 2022, TV Series, Crime, Drama, Thriller (4)

The Responder (2022): S01E05

Published on 04/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

The Responder is a British police procedural series set in Liverpool, written by former Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher and starring Martin Freeman, Adelayo Adedayo, Ian Hart, and MyAnna Buring.

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

The Responder, 2022, TV Series, Crime, Drama, Thriller (1)

The Responder, 2022, TV Series, Crime, Drama, Thriller (2)

Outline

Chris is forced to work for a major drug dealer to return the drugs stolen by Casey. When Rachel needs his help urgently, Chris must decide where his loyalties truly lie.

The Responder Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Responder here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder (2022): S01E04

Published on 04/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

Outline

Chris hits rock bottom. Rachel begins to suspect Mullen may not be all he appears, and Casey teams up with Marco to find a buyer.

The Responder Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Responder here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder (2022): S01E03

Published on 04/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

Outline

Chris plans to hand the drugs in, until Carl makes him an offer that he cannot refuse. Rachel strikes a deal with Mullen, but Chris’ behaviour makes her feel conflicted.

The Responder Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Responder here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder (2022): S01E02

Published on 04/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

Outline

Chris must juggle handling rookie police officer Rachel while also tracking down Casey, after Chris threatens his family. Casey puts her trust in a friend to hide her from Carl.

The Responder Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Responder here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder (2022): S01E01

Published on 04/14/202204/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

Outline

Police response officer Chris is struggling to keep a grip on his mental health and marriage when he is offered a path to redemption in the form of a young heroin addict.

The Responder Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Responder here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

The Responder TV Series Overview (2022)

Published on 04/14/202204/14/2022 by Andrew Marshall5 Comments

Introduction

A crisis-stricken, morally compromised first-responder tackles a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool, while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.

Outline

Chris Carson is a police officer, in a fictional constabulary covering Liverpool, who has been demoted from his position as a sergeant and undertakes a series of night shifts in central Liverpool. His work scenes are interspersed with scenes of him at therapy, at home, and with his mother in a nursing home. He is partnered with Rachel Hargreaves, an inexperienced and still idealistic officer who wants to play by the rules. Carl Sweeney is a mid-level drug dealer whose stash of cocaine has been purloined by Casey, a local “baghead”. Chris is trying to help Casey and, in doing so, crosses Carl. Other major characters include the naïve local scally Marco, who finds himself out of his depth.

Carson is a conflicted and compromised man, with somewhat divided loyalties, a desire to do good but violent aggressive streak brought on by childhood trauma exacerbated by his experience in the police. He has been demoted from sergeant and is pursued by the officer responsible as part of a corruption probe, whose motives may not be entirely honest. The effects of the jobs and Chris’ mental state take a toll on his family.

Cast

Martin Freeman as Chris Carson.
Adelayo Adedayo as Rachel Hargreaves, a probationary police officer.
Warren Brown as Raymond Mullen, a demoted officer with an axe to grind.
MyAnna Buring as Kate Carson, Chris’ wife.
Emily Fairn as Casey, a drug addict.
Josh Finan as Marco, Casey’s friend.
Philip S. McGuinness as Ian, Carl’s henchman.
Mark Womack as Barry, Carl’s henchman.
Ian Hart as Carl Sweeney, a drug dealer.
Rita Tushingham as June Carson, Chris’ mother.
Philip Barantini as Steve, Rachel’s boyfriend.
David Bradley as Davey, a local homeless man.
Kerrie Hayes as Ellie Mullen, Raymond’s wife and Kate’s best friend.
Faye McKeever as Jodie Sweeney, Carl’s wife.
Philip Whitchurch as Joe, Casey’s grandfather.
Christine Tremarco as Dr. Diane Gallagher, Greg’s sister.
Amaka Okafor as Detective Inspector Deborah Barnes, Chris’ boss.
James Nelson-Joyce as Greg Gallagher, a drug lord.
Elizabeth Berrington as Lynne Renfrew, Chris’ therapist.
Victor McGuire as Trevor.
Dominic Carter as Sergeant Bernie Wilson.
Matthew Cottle as Father Liam Neeson.
Dave Hill as Billy.
Sylvie Gatrill as Mary.
Sonny Walker as Stevo Marsh.
James Ledsham as Enno.
Connor Dempsey as Kyle.
David Ayres as Andy.
Kieron Urquhart as Paul.
Harry Burke as Liam.

Trivia

Tony Schumacher (creator and writer) has said that the character has “a lot to do” with him and the struggles he faced as a police officer, but that the storyline is fictional.
In late March 2022 the series was officially renewed for a second season.
The series was be shown by Canal plus in France and on SBS TV and SBS On Demand in Australia, as well as various other deals seeing the series being shown around the world.
Martin Freeman spent 18 months before he filmed the series talking to himself in a Scouse accent so he could perfect it.
Elizabeth Berrington and Martin Freeman previously worked together in The Office Christmas Special (2003).
The first season is broadcast in some countries in a six-episode edit.

The Responder Series

Series 01 (2022):
- Episode 01.
- Episode 02.
- Episode 03.
- Episode 04.
- Episode 05.

Series 02 (?2023):
- Renewed in March 2022.

Production & Filming Details

Director(s):
- Tim Mielants.
- Fien Troch.
- Philip Barantini.
Producer(s):
- Laurence Bowen … executive producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Toby Bruce … story producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Chris Carey … executive producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Susan Dunn … line producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Nawfal Faizullah … commissioning executive / commissioning executive: BBC (5 episodes, 2022).
- Rebecca Ferguson … series produced by (5 episodes, 2022).
- Martin Freeman … executive producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Mona Qureshi … executive producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Barrington Paul Robinson … co-producer (5 episodes, 2022).
- Phill Reeves … assistant line producer (3 episodes, 2022).
- Charlie Greenstein … line producer (1 episode, 2022).
Writer(s):
- Tony Schumacher.
Music:
- Matthew Herbert … (5 episodes, 2022).
Cinematography:
- Johan Heurlin Aidt … (4 episodes, 2022).
- Matthew Lewis … (1 episode, 2022).
Editor(s):
- Danielle Palmer … (2 episodes, 2022).
- Alex Fountain … (1 episode, 2022).
- Donovan Jones … (1 episode, 2022).
Production:
- Dancing Ledge Productions.
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (for).
- Liverpool Film Office (funding).
Distributor(s):
- BBC One (2022) (UK) (TV).
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2022) (UK) (all media).
- BBC iPlayer (2022) (UK) (video) (VOD).
- BritBox (UK) (video) (VOD).
- Fremantle (2022) (World-wide) (all media).
Release Date: 24 January 2022.
Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
Rating: 15.
Country: UK.
Language: English.

Video Link

On This Day … 14 April [2022]

Published on 04/14/202204/01/2022 by Andrew MarshallLeave a comment

People (Deaths)

2010 – Alice Miller, Polish-French psychologist and author (b. 1923).

Alice Miller

Alice Miller, born as Alicija Englard (12 January 1923 to 14 April 2010), was a Polish-Swiss psychologist, psychoanalyst and philosopher of Jewish origin, who is noted for her books on parental child abuse, translated into several languages. She was also a noted public intellectual.

Her book The Drama of the Gifted Child caused a sensation and became an international bestseller upon the English publication in 1981. Her views on the consequences of child abuse became highly influential. In her books she departed from psychoanalysis, charging it with being similar to the poisonous pedagogies.

On This Day … 13 April [2022]

Published on 04/13/202204/01/2022 by Andrew MarshallLeave a comment

People (Births)

1901 – Jacques Lacan, French psychiatrist and psychoanalyst (d. 1981).

Jacques Lacan

Jacques Marie Émile Lacan (13 April 1901 to 09 September 1981) was a French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who has been called “the most controversial psycho-analyst since Freud“. Giving yearly seminars in Paris from 1953 to 1981, Lacan’s work has marked the French and international intellectual landscape, having made a significant impact on continental philosophy and cultural theory in areas such as post-structuralism, critical theory, feminist theory and film theory as well as on psychoanalysis itself.

Lacan took up and discussed the whole range of Freudian concepts emphasising the philosophical dimension of Freud’s thought and applying concepts derived from structuralism in linguistics and anthropology to its development in his own work which he would further augment by employing formulae from predicate logic and topology. Taking this new direction, and introducing controversial innovations in clinical practice, led to expulsion for Lacan and his followers from the International Psychoanalytic Association. In consequence Lacan went on to establish new psychoanalytic institutions to promote and develop his work which he declared to be a “return to Freud” in opposition to prevalent trends in psychoanalysis collusive of adaptation to social norms.

On This Day … 12 April [2022]

Published on 04/12/202203/31/2022 by Andrew MarshallLeave a comment

People (Births)

1916 – Benjamin Libet, American neuropsychologist and academic (d. 2007).

Benjamin Libet

Benjamin Libet (12 April 1916 to 23 July 2007) was an American neuroscientist who was a pioneer in the field of human consciousness.

Libet was a researcher in the physiology department of the University of California, San Francisco. In 2003, he was the first recipient of the Virtual Nobel Prize in Psychology from the University of Klagenfurt, “for his pioneering achievements in the experimental investigation of consciousness, initiation of action, and free will”.