During the course of filming and screening the films, Marcus Coates and the five directors took part in debrief interviews and conversations, discussing the process of filming and directing. 

Contextual programmes of talks and workshops coinciding with presentations of the films encourage open public discussion around the nation’s mental health, including Akiko Hart’s panel discussing social inequality and psychosis, and the distinction between psychosis and the more popularly understood perceptions of  neurosis.

The films are actively accessed and shown in medical, psychiatric and care settings as well as in judicial education to support the reduction of stigma around psychosis. This page will continue to be updated with resulting research, resources and conversations.

Psychosis is not a diagnosis. It is a general term used to describe a set of experiences where a person experiences changes in thinking, perception, mood, and behaviour that can severely disrupt their life. Psychosis involves the person losing some touch with commonly accepted realities, though the extent of this may vary. For a person affected by psychosis, relationships, work, and self-care can be difficult to initiate or maintain. Psychosis can be a one-off experience or part of a mental health condition. 

Some conditions psychosis can be related to are: schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective disorder, depression with psychotic symptoms, personality dissorder and postpartum psychosis. 

Research suggests there are many different types of life experiences that can trigger psychosis or cause someone to relapse, including: stress, or anxiety; drugs and alcohol misuse or withdrawal; homelessness; delirium (a state of mental confusion which may follow a serious physical illness or an operation); grief, divorce or separation; childbirth; racism; and tiredness.  

The way one person experiences psychosis may be different to the way someone else experiences psychosis. It is possible to make a complete recovery from psychosis. 

Stigma is a complex phenomenon.  Dr Isabel Valli, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist working at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, explains that it can be broken down into three components: knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. Knowledge is based on ignorance and a lack of learning or resources. Attitude is characterised by prejudice, defined as an unfavourable preconceived opinion or feeling without knowledge, thought, or reason. Behaviour is related to stigma as it leads to discrimination and the differentiation and unfair treatment of different categories of people, such as those experiencing psychosis. 

Definition of key terms

The Directors is a collaboration between artist Marcus Coates and five individuals in recovery from different lived experiences of psychosis.

Listen to recordings of Marcus Coates in conversation with the five directors, discussing each film and their experiences. The conversation was moderated by writer and psychologist Professor Charles Fernyhough.

Recorded on Tuesday 30 August at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Peckham. 

Recorded and edited by House of Noise.

In Conversation: How has the project impacted the Directors? by Artangel

In Conversation: Marcus and the Directors on working together by Artangel

In Conversation: Raising awareness and empathy for lived experiences of psychosis by Artangel

In Conversation: Testaments of recovery by Artangel

A recording of Marcus Coates in conversation with the five directors, discussing each film and their experiences. The conversation was moderated by writer and psychologist Professor Charles Fernyhough. Recorded in August 2022 at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Peckham.

In Conversation with Marcus Coates & the Directors moderated by Charles Fernyhough

Marcus Coates in Conversation with Dr Isabel Valli (1).pdf

Marcus Coates in Conversation with Dr Isabel Valli.pdf

A conversation on psychosis between Marcus Coates and psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr Isabel Valli at Churchill Gardens Resident’s Association.

Marcus Coates in Conversation with Dr Isabel Valli

The Directors is a collaboration between artist Marcus Coates and five individuals in recovery from different lived experiences of psychosis.

Femi Oyebode and Fiona Malpass discuss social inequality, neglect, adversity and isolation in relation to psychosis and general mental health. The talk was moderated by Akiko Hart and was followed by an audience Q&A. 

This talk was recorded on Thursday 22 September 2022. Please note this recording is not of the best quality and has some errors but we decided the content was worth sharing. Please let us know if you have any difficulty hearing parts, we are preparing a transcript.

To find out more about The Directors, visit: www.artangel.org.uk/project/the-directors

Talk: Femi Oyebode and Fiona Malpass with Akiko Hart by Artangel

On Thursday 22 October 2022 Femi Oyebode and Fiona Malpass came together to discuss social inequality, neglect, adversity and isolation in relation to psychosis and general mental health. The talk was moderated by Akiko Hart and was followed by an audience Q&A. 

Is Anyone Out There Listening?

The Directors is a collaboration between artist Marcus Coates and five individuals in recovery from different lived experiences of psychosis.

Listen to recordings of Marcus Coates in conversation with the five directors discussing recovery. The conversation was joined by Kerry Joseph, a mental health carer. 

To find out more about The Directors, visit: www.artangel.org.uk/project/the-directors
www.whatsgoingon.org.uk

Recorded on Friday 24 February 2023 online via ZOOM

Recorded and edited by House of Noise.

Image: Still from The Directors: Mark Banham, Marcus Coates (2022).

What does Recovery mean to you? - Part 1 by Artangel

Challenges and Barriers - Part 2 by Artangel

The Directors is a collaboration between artist Marcus Coates and five individuals in recovery from different lived experiences of psychosis.

Listen to recordings of Marcus Coates in conversation with the five directors discussing recovery and their recovery journey. The conversation was joined by mental health carer, Kerry Joseph.

To find out more about The Directors, visit: www.artangel.org.uk/project/the-directors
www.whatsgoingon.org.uk

Recorded on Friday 24 February 2023 online via ZOOM

Recorded and edited by House of Noise.

Image: Still from The Directors: Mark Banham, Marcus Coates (2022).

Strategies - Part 3 by Artangel

Advice you would give to family, friends and carers - Part 4 by Artangel

A recording of Marcus Coates in conversation with the five directors discussing recovery and their recovery journey. The conversation was joined by mental health carer, Kerry Joseph. 

A Conversation on Recovery

Panel Discussion on World Mental Health Day with Marcus Coates and Anthony at King's College London 2023

Panel Discussion on World Mental Health Day with Marcus Coates and Mark at King's College London 2023

Panel Discussion on World Mental Health Day with Marcus Coates and Lucy at King's College London 2023

Panel Discussions on World Mental Health Day with Marcus Coates, the Directors and healthcare professionals at King's College London 2023