ITV announces Mental Health in the Media panel series
Taking place on Thursday 12th and Thursday 19th of June, these free panels bring together creative and mental health leaders to inspire conversation and share best practice around mental health both on-screen and off. Mental Health in the Media first ran in 2023 with nearly 1,000 people from across the industry attending.
The series consists of four panel events each tackling a different theme. Safeguarding Stories, chaired by Paul Brand, and featuring panellists from factual and drama genres, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike. It takes place on Thursday 12th June at 10am.
Beyond the Headlines, chaired by Nina Hossain, and featuring panelists from news organisations and mental health charities, looks at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms. This panel is on Thursday 12th June at 1pm.
More than a Moment, chaired by Charlene White, looks at what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and amid growing consumer distrust, featuring panellists from brands and advertising agencies. This takes place on Thursday 19th June at 10am.
The Freelance Mindset, chaired by Pat Younge, and in collaboration with the Film and TV Charity, brings together workplace wellbeing experts and industry bodies to look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills. This panel is on Thursday 19th June at 1pm.
All panels except Safeguarding Stories will be recorded and available on MentalHealthInTheMedia.itv to view afterwards.
Mental Health in the Media marks five years of ITV's Mental Health Advisory Group, a group of charity and professional experts who provide guidance and support on all aspects of ITV's approach to wellbeing, on-screen and off-screen.
ITV has a long-standing commitment to promoting better mental wellbeing as part of its social purpose. Since 2019, Britain Get Talking, developed in partnership with Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, has been the UK's most well-known mental health campaign. Other powerful initiatives include This Morning's collaboration with CALM, featuring campaigns like the Last Photo and 2024's Missed Birthdays; and Good Morning Britain's 1 Million Minutes campaign, now into its 10th year, which aims to tackle loneliness in the UK by encouraging people to volunteer. Last year ITV donated £1million airtime to WWF as part of its Head First Award to promote mental wellbeing to the public. ITV content and campaigns have prompted over 250 million actions by the UK public to improve their mental health over the last six years.
Carolyn McCall, ITV's Chief Executive says, ' At ITV, our social purpose is to shape culture for good. Promoting better mental wellbeing is a key part of that and it has never been more important, or timely, to tackle topics related to mental health in our industry. I'm really pleased that, after the success of our first panel series, we have been able to convene Mental Health in the Media for the second time. It's a simple, accessible and free way to inspire conversations across the industry and encourage the sharing of what works well to drive change. I'm sure the series will help to stimulate debate, discussion and, more importantly, positive action. '
For more information about the panels and to sign up to attend, visit Mentalhealthinthemedia.itv
Notes to editors-------
Confirmed Panellists
Safeguarding Stories: Duty of Care in TV Production, Thursday 12th June, 10am
Featuring panellists from true crime, factual, and drama, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike.
Chair: Paul Brand, UK Editor, ITV News
Featuring:
Colleen Flynn - Creative Director at Flicker Productions
Chelsea Ruffle – Head of Duty of Care at ITV
Rebecca North – Executive Producer at RAW
Joe Williams – Executive Producer, ITV Studios
Ellie Simmonds - Paralympian and broadcaster
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Beyond the Headlines: The Impact of News Reporting on Mental Health Thursday 12th June, 1pm
A look at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health, from stigma to suicide, and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms.
Chair: Nina Hossain, ITN Newscaster
Featuring:
Andrew Dagnell – Director of News and Current Affairs, ITV
Sam Leader – Digital Reporter, ITV News
Rebecca Barry – Health Correspondent, ITV News
Kenny Stewart - Head of Public Affairs and Communications, SAMH
Mike Walsh - Director of Marketing, LadBible
Wendy Robinson – Director of Services, CALM
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More than a Moment: Driving Authentic Mental Health Impact through Marketing Thursday 19th June, 10am
We ask what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and growing consumer distrust, particularly among younger audiences.
Chair: Charlene White - journalist, author and broadcaster
Featuring :
Simon Gunning - CEO of CALM
Lori Meakin - Agency strategist and founder of Joint and The Others & Me
Rob Jennings - Strategy Director, Wonderhood
Holly McKinley - Director of Strategic Communications and Brand, WWF-UK
The Freelance Mindset: Navigating Uncertainty and Protecting Wellbeing Thursday 19th June, 1-2.15pm
A look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills.
Chair: Pat Younge, Head Boy at Skin in the Game Studios
Panellists:
Marcus Ryder - CEO of Film and TV Charity
Dr Paul Litchfield - Chief Medical Advisor to ITV
Laura Mansfield - Chief Executive, ScreenSkills
Andrew Berrie - Head of Corporate Partnerships, Mind
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How to use Manuka Honey Impressed with the results, Harriet described four ways in which she incorporated the Manuka honey into her diet. She said: "Every morning, I took a teaspoon of the strongest 1000 MGO honey. This ensured consistency and that I was consuming the same strength each day. "However, I did include additional doses with my meals. My next favourite way of incorporating it into my daily routine was at breakfast, either drizzled over a bowl of yoghurt or blended into a smoothie. This proved an easy method to mask the taste, perfect for those who aren't particularly keen on it." Finding the honey flavour was easy to work with, Harriet added: "It was also a breeze to incorporate into my lunch and dinner. I simply added a teaspoon of honey to homemade salad dressings three or four times." "For those who enjoy cooking, it could also be used in a meat marinade. One of my favourite dishes was halloumi hot honey, to which I just added some chilli flakes," she suggested. How long did it take to feel hay fever relief? Harriet explained: "At the time of writing this, I've been consuming Manuka honey for 11 consecutive days, consistently taking a spoonful of honey each morning (sometimes neat, other times mixed into my breakfast or morning brew). "By the eighth day, I could confidently say that I'd felt some alleviation in my hayfever symptoms, my itchy eyes had lessened, and I was sneezing less frequently. The most noticeable improvement, which I began to feel on the third day, was with my throat. "Dry and inflamed, hay fever has always given me a sore throat, but testing out the manuka honey has certainly helped. As well as the high MGO contents, I believe this is likely due to the simple fact that honey is soothing, and even shop-bought honey is a popular remedy for colds - like hot honey and lemon tea." Is Manuka Honey enough to help ease hay fever symptoms? 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We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. And while Billie and Sam enjoy an unbreakable bond these days, the same cannot be said of Nelly and Arthur. 'Oh my God, they fight a lot,' Billie laughed. 'It's actually very stressful in our household. They chase each other around the kitchen as I'm trying to make dinner. Margot just watches and takes it all in. But that said, there will be a day when I miss all the crazy carnage in the house.' As Nelly prepares to start secondary school, Billie is embracing the next stage of parenthood. 'I've noticed Nelly has really grown up in the last six months. We got her a phone for her birthday, her first one, and she walks around the house FaceTiming her little friends. 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Former TOWIE star Billie Shepherd lifts the lid on Sister Act, her new reality show with sister Sam, their tight bond and the secret health battle that left her bed bound With three beautiful children, a happy marriage and an exceptionally close bond with her sister, Billie Shepherd appears to live a charmed life. But behind the smiles, the former TOWIE star has been dealing with a diagnosis that has left her bedbound, which she describes as 'horrendous'. As Billie and her younger sister Samantha Faiers make their long-awaited return to our screens in their new ITV reality show, Sam And Billie: Sister Act, Billie sits down for an exclusive interview with the Mirror to reveal how she is slowly emerging from a battle with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection usually caused by the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms include extreme fatigue and joint pain which can last years. 'It's been a really, really tough time,' Billie admits. 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But equally I don't want them to ever feel worried about me.' Billie now wonders if the disease, which also affects Justin Timberlake, Avril Lavigne and Bella Hadid to name a few, was exacerbated by the fact she was stressed out by her children's separate health issues. In the opening episode of Sister Act, which starts this week, Billie can be seen in tears as she tells Sam, 34, about the terrifying moment Margot was rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering a seizure. 'That whole situation was really, really scary,' Billie says. 'As a parent, you never think it's going to happen to you — you wouldn't even want to imagine it. And when it does happen you go into fight or flight mode. I was petrified. 'Margot hasn't had a seizure since, and that was back in January. So I'm praying and hoping she's grown out of them. But it was such a worrying time. As any parent who's experienced their child having a febrile seizure will tell you, you're on edge a lot of the time. It's hard to deal with when it happens. It's made me realise how much stress can affect your body.' Billie continues, 'It was a vicious circle. I think I was holding in a lot of worry and anxiety about the kids and not knowing at the time what was wrong with me. I think it all led to a massive immune system crash.' Arthur had health issues, too. Like his mum, he'd had tonsillitis for months and had been due to have them out — but Billie didn't think it was a good idea. 'My gut feeling was that it was all bad timing and Arthur really didn't want to go through that,' she says. 'It's not a nice operation — the aftermath is hard for children. So we spoke to a surgeon who suggested postponing it, especially as I was so ill at the time. 'I eventually got Arthur on natural medicine to try and clear his immune system. He'd had a lot of antibiotics for several bouts of tonsillitis, which isn't ideal — it's not great for your gut health — and the natural medicine really helped. Touch wood, he's not had any problems since.' While Billie says the holistic approach is working for her family, she is keen to stress that she's not preaching or encouraging others to try it. 'When I got ill I felt like my whole life had changed overnight. I worried about how I was going to get through it,' she says. 'Things had been getting worse and worse by the day, but within two weeks of taking the holistic approach I was feeling better. I'm not saying that would be the case for everyone, of course. But it was right for me.' Billie's now feeling a lot better, though she stills suffers from fatigue, brain fog and occasional aches and pains. She's hoping her story will raise awareness as there are an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of Lyme disease a year in the UK. It plays out in Sister Act, which, although filled with drama, also focuses on plenty of positives, including a cameo from Amanda Holden and, of course, Sam and Billie's unbreakable bond. 'We've absolutely loved filming together again,' Billie gushes. 'It's so easy, so natural. We're so close anyway, so to do this together again has been brilliant. The timing was right for Samantha and I, so as soon as the opportunity came up we thought, 'Why not?'' Billie admits she and Sam had plenty of fights while growing up — 'usually about clothes, or shoes, that kind of stuff' — but now they're best friends. 'We don't argue or bicker at all,' she insists. 'We just get each other. We know what the other one's like. Now, when Sam comes over, we have big sleepovers with all the kids. Greg will make himself scarce and leave us to it. Me, Mum and Samantha have the best time when it's the three of us together. We have other friends and family, but when it's just us, it's the best. We love being in each other's company.' But while Sam and Billie are enjoying a harmonious sibling relationship, the same currently can't be said of Nelly and Arthur. 'Oh my God, they fight a lot,' Billie says, half laughing, half sighing. 'It's actually very stressful in our household. They chase each other around the kitchen as I'm trying to make dinner. Margot just watches and takes it all in. But that said, there will be a day when I miss all the crazy carnage in the house, now they're all getting older.' Nelly starts secondary school next month and Billie has already seen big changes in her eldest. 'I'm getting into the next phase of parenthood,' she says. 'I've noticed Nelly has really grown up in the last six months. We got her a phone for her birthday, her first one, and she walks around the house FaceTiming her little friends. That's all they do. It's hilarious.' Billie lights up when talking about her children. Given what she's been through, it's a wonder she's able to stay smiling, but, as Sister Act will show, she's nothing if not resilient. 'People have it far worse than me,' she says. 'But it's important, being on reality TV, to be honest and real. We all go through things. Being open about what we're going through is the only way to be. 'When you're in the public eye it can be good to share things. It can be a comfort to other people who are going through similar situations. I'd never heard of Lyme disease before I got it. So now, if I can raise awareness and offer others comfort at the same time, I'll be happy.'
