Popular TV Show in France Insults (ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry

By | 05/07/2017

Fort BoyardThe picture illustrating this post is not taken in a mental institution. It’s from a TV show. A French popular and long-standing game show “Fort Boyard” broadcast in 30 countries has decided to organize a show based on isolation and contention in psychiatry.

Candidates are put in a straightjacket, enter a padded isolation cell in very bright light and play games with balls in their mouth while being filmed to find a key while the entire cell is also moving so they walk on the walls and ceiling. It’s supposed to “make them go crazy”.

We think that the show must be cancelled because it is insulting for people with mental health issues, it deepens stigma and leads to increased discrimination. If you agree with this opinion, please sign the petition. Thank you!

On July 10, ENUSP wrote a letter to the French CSA, calling the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) to protect interests and dignity of the significant part of the French audience directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues and cancel the show. The letter is available here.