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On The Day

The Feel Happy Fix Live on 11th March 2015 was a unique opportunity to hear the first-hand accounts and concerns of young people from across the UK with experience of mental health issues.


The day consisted of focus groups, films and interviews at the British Film Institute (BFI) followed by a Question Time style debate at The London Studios.

The debate was filmed for broadcast with support from TV presenter Anna Williamson and Simone Thorogood, who works for the Broadcast Team at Fixers. Dr Pooky Knightsmith, an expert on child and adolescent mental health, was also present at the event as guest speaker and helped facilitate discussion.


Contributors throughout the day included more than 70 young people with experience of issues ranging from eating disorders, depression and body dysmorphia to self-harm and psychosis.

What Happened?

 

09:30-10:15: Introduction. The day started with a Fixers introduction, films and guest speakers.


10:30-11:15: Group Sessions. Fixers films and a chance to chat, as the discussion became specialised. One group looked at mental health provision, the role of the media and support in the workplace. Another tackled mental health problems at school, when things go wrong at home, and what happens when ‘fun’ results in drink, drugs and feeling overwhelmed.


11:30-13:00: Workshops. Building on the 16 regional workshops held across the UK in February, young people were asked to propose solutions to mental health issues in six areas – Home, Play, School, Healthcare, Media and Work.


The Feel Happy Film Show. For those who weren't involved in the workshops, The Feel Happy Film Show ran between 11:00 and 13:00.


13:00-14:00: Break.

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14:30-16:00: Debate at The London Studios.

 
Fixers turned the tables on the traditional Question Time format and put young people on the panel for a TV discussion.

 

Find out more about the presenters below and scroll to the bottom of this page to meet the panellists. 

 

Anna Williamson - Presenter

Famous for presenting CiTV stalwart Toonattik and more recently seen taking the plunge, literally, on ITV’s hit show, Splash! Anna Williamson has been a TV regular on our screens for many years.


After a promising start with Carlton TV, Anna moved on to Disney and then Channel 5, where she fronted their children’s strand, Milkshake!, The Core, Channel 5 Summer Roadshows and Robot Wars.


Nickelodeon saw Anna’s rare talent and signed her up to present everything from Jamie and Anna’s Big Weekend and Camp Orange with her partner in crime from Toonattik, Jamie Rickers, to House of Anubis.


She also hosts the famous ‘Orange Carpet’ at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in LA, interviewing the likes of Snoop Dogg, Jack Black, Will Smith and One Direction.


After an almost crippling battle with anxiety disorder, the Splash! semi-finalist has turned her hand to helping to remove the stigma attached to mental health and in 2013 Anna was announced as an official ambassador for the mental health charity, Mind. ITV recognised this as important work and as Anna was already a regular on ITV's Daybreak and Lorraine and a qualified counsellor, they offered Anna her own weekly strand 'Ask Anna’ on their hit daytime show, This Morning.


Alongside her work with Mind, Anna is closely involved with ChildLine and The Prince’s Trust. She is also an ambassador for LSF-PT, a gathering of the most promising and established trainers, coaches and specialists in the UK.

Dr Pooky Knightsmith -

Guest Speaker and Facilitator

Dr Pooky Knightsmith completed her PhD in child and adolescent mental health at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, where she specialised in developing practical strategies for supporting those experiencing eating disorders and self-harm in schools and other non-clinical settings.

As well as providing freelance training, primarily in schools, but also within other organisations, Pooky is currently the mental health and emotional wellbeing advisor at the PSHE Association, an associate trainer for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and a trustee of Beat and the Kidstime Foundation. Pooky won her own battle with anorexia and self-harm in her early 20s.

She regularly writes on the topic of mental health. Her latest book is titled ‘Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools: A Guide to Whole-School Strategies and Practical Support’.

 

Simone Thorogood - Presenter

Simone Thorogood works for the Broadcast Team at Fixers, sourcing ITV news stories for the London and Anglia regions.

 

She recently produced and presented the weekly property show, Latest Homes Live (for Latest TV) and previously produced and presented her own long-running book show, Loaded Lit (for Loaded TV). Simone also co-created and launched ITV's Quizmania around the world and co-founded Pop Monkey Productions in Los Angeles.

 

In her spare time, Simone volunteers with the Samaritans and is a relationship counsellor.
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Meet the Fixers on The Feel Happy Fix debate panel...

Claire
Greaves

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Danny
Bowman

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Shannon
Finan

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Jordan
Caldwell

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Laura
Quinn

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Carney
Bonner

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     The Feel Happy Fix 2015 is proudly supported by healthcare provider Simplyhealth.

 

“We’re delighted to be supporting The Feel Happy Fix. By raising awareness of mental health disorders in young people, it is hoped that the campaign will help to foster a better understanding of what it means to be a young person living with a mental health condition in the UK and the support networks available. We’re proud to be a part of this campaign and commend those Fixers who will be sharing their own personal experiences of living with a mental health disorder at events across the UK during 2015.”
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