Mind hails shows that challenge perceptions

Shows involving Paul Whitehouse, Jason Manford, Robin Ince and Helen Keen have been shortlisted for a Mind award for the best representation of mental health issues.

Among the list of 50 programmes nominated across various categories are

Nurse: Paul Whitehouse's BBC Two comedy-drama in which he played a number of patients of a community mental health nurse

Ordinary Lives: The BBC One drama starring Jason Manford and Mackenzie Crook as employees of a car dealership. The show was praised for a storyline involving Dave (played by Shan Dooley), the husband of dealership deputy manager Beth (played by former EastEnders actor Jo Joyner) who went missing for more than a year because he was battling depression and anxiety.

Tears Of A Clown: Another Radio 4 show in which Robin Ince and fellow stand-up comedians – including Barry Cryer, Simon Amstell, Jo Brand and Josie Long – tackled the cliché of the 'sad clown' in the wake of Robin Williams taking his own life. The show can still be heard on iPlayer.

Finding Your Voice: A Radio 4 show in which comedian Helen Keen explored selective mutism, an anxiety disorder she herself experienced as a teenager which affects your ability to speak. This too is still available here.

Ten awards, plus two special prizes, will be presented at at The Troxy in London on Monday November 16.

Entries had to have 'relevant content' challenging common perceptions of mental health, be 'responsibly produced' and able to demonstrate a reach and impact.

Published: 18 Sep 2015