Canopi psychiatrist advises TV drama about the mental health of a psychiatric nurse

‘Creisis’ is a drama aired on S4C, following the experiences of a psychiatric nurse working in a ‘Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment’ team in the Rhondda Valley. Canopi psychiatrist Dr Rhys Bevan-Jones was a psychiatry consultant for the drama. He reveals more about the series and how it reflects the experiences of NHS workers in Wales today.

Tell us why you became a psychiatrist advisor for Creisis

I was approached by the Boom production group, as they were looking for a Welsh-speaking psychiatrist to act as a psychiatry consultant on this new drama. I wasn’t aware of another drama that focused on mental health professionals and services, as well as individuals experiencing these difficulties, especially in the Welsh language.

I am also very interested in the representation of mental health in the media, and this is something I have been focused on in research, teaching and public engagement projects.

What is the main storyline?

Creisis is about a psychiatric nurse working in the Rhondda, and about the wider Crisis team in which he works, his family and community, as well as the individuals he supports.

It deals with the deterioration of his mental health due to work stress, personal relationships and past trauma. These are some of the common reasons why NHS and social care staff working in Wales refer themselves to us at Canopi.

As mentioned, it’s the first drama I had seen, particularly in the Welsh-language, that focused on the staff working within mental health services – and the challenges and rewards of the work, the relationships between professionals and their patients, and the difficulties practitioners (especially men) can experience in seeking help.

What did the TV role involve?

I participated in meetings and gave feedback on the scripts, particularly related to mental health practices and terminology. I also visited the set and participated in panel discussions on the drama.

My work as a psychiatry consultant was informed by my work with mental health services, and particularly by my own work within a Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team in Cardiff a few years ago. I was also working part-time in the Rhondda (where the drama is based) at the time, alongside my work with Canopi and Cardiff University.

To inform some aspects of the drama, I reviewed literature and signposted the production team to existing guidance on media coverage related to mental health, such as on the Samaritans website. This was also a learning experience for me.

Life after the series

The work I did on the series remains particularly relevant to my work with Canopi in supporting NHS and social care staff working in Wales.

Since the series has been aired, I have taken part in some panel discussions about the series at the National Eisteddfod of Wales 2024 and Coleg Y Cymoedd. Among discussions about workplace mental health, the topic of men’s mental health was frequently discussed at the S4C stand at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Watch ‘Creisis’

Creisis is available to watch on BBC iPlayer (Welsh and English subtitles). 

Are you an NHS or social care staff member affected by some of the issues in Creisis?  Canopi is here to support you with your mental health.

This Blog was written for Canopi by Julia Pearce, Canopi offers a free and confidential mental health support service for social care and NHS staff in Wales aged 18 years and over. You can find further information here.