Bedlam (2013 TV series)
A documentary series filmed inside a mental health trust.
Last updated
Bedlam is a British documentary series filmed at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). It provides access to clinical services, patients, and staff at the Trust.
Overview
The first episode, Anxiety, takes place in the 18-bed Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital, a national facility for the most anxious one percent of the population. It claims a three-in-four success rate. Some patients struggle with irrational fears, such as causing a car crash while asleep or harming strangers. One of the four patients featured says three of them relapsed within weeks of leaving, accusing the filmmakers of misleading viewers by showing only two patients doing well and omitting the other two, creating the impression all were cured.
The second episode, Crisis, gains first-time access to Lambeth Hospital Triage ward, described as the A&E of mental health. It features Medical Director Dr Martin Baggaley, who has commented on pressures facing England’s mental health services. The third episode, Psychosis, follows a community mental health team; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust supports over 35,000 people with mental health issues. The final episode, Breakdown, focuses on older adults, including the inpatient ward for people over 65 at Maudsley Hospital.
Name
The title Bedlam was chosen by SLaM, Channel 4, and The Garden Productions. It draws on SLaM’s origins, which go back to 1247 with the founding of the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem in the City of London.
That priory, later called "Bedlam," was the forerunner of today’s Bethlem Royal Hospital. Some mental health campaigners criticised the name for its negative and stigmatising connotations. In reply, the Trust explained the reasoning and process that led to the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Bedlam (2013 TV series) first air?
Bedlam first aired on 31 October 2013.
When did Bedlam (2013 TV series) end?
Bedlam last aired on 21 November 2013.
More in 2010s British Documentary Television Series
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Bedlam (2013 TV series) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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