Tackling the issues that make you think
In The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive on BBC Two, Stephen Fry took a frank and honest look at his own and other people's experiences of living with bipolar disorder. He gave a glimpse of what it is like to live with the condition and talked openly about his own suicide attempts. Surprisingly, he said that if he was offered the chance to press a magic button to rid himself of the disease he wouldn't take it.
Also on BBC Two, the Rain in My Heart documentary-maker Paul Watson took us on a harrowing journey following four alcoholics into the depths of their despair. Two of them didn't make it back out again.
Both programmes were supported by the BBC Action Line – a huge volume of calls came from people who had never spoken about their problem. The same was true after programmes dealing with rape, debt and gambling. Many callers told us the programmes and the Action Line have made a real difference to their lives.
