Chef to appear on Stephen Fry documentary

The programme The Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years On, will be broadcast on Monday at 9pm on BBC One. It is a follow-up to Fry’s original documentary The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive.

It will feature Boston chef Scott, a Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) service user, and Dr Mithilesh Jha, a consultant psychiatrist working for the service.

The film shows how Stephen Fry and different people of all ages deal with bipolar. Scott lives with the condition which affects his job and his family life.

Scott said: “I’ve decided to take part in this film to show that suffering with mental health problems is quite common and there is no shame in living with bipolar.

“Hopefully seeing someone local on a national TV will encourage other people to speak up and seek help.”

Dr Jha is featured discussing treatment options and possible side-effects

Dr Jha said: “It was a great privilege to be a part of this documentary.

“Films like this play a vital role in reducing mental health stigma.

“Many people with mental health problems successfully manage their condition thanks to therapy or medication and continue to live in their community with their families.

“But it is important that we engage service users in choosing the treatment that is right for them – only then they will be motivated to follow it through.”