‘Examples where it’s not’ Ross Kemp shuts down Susanna Reid in fiery PTSD portrayal row
GMB: Susanna and Ross Kemp debate TV portrayals of veterans
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Ross Kemp went on to Good Morning Britain to highlight the impact PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] has on army veterans as he gave information on where people can get help if they need it. However, the chat soon took a turn when ITV host Susanna Reid grilled him on how some PTSD storylines are portrayed in TV dramas, giving the example of actor Richard Madden’s role in Bodyguard.
“There is a lot that is described when it comes to PTSD in a drama,” Susanna said.
“You know, this idea that a soldier who has seen the worst of the worst out in Iraq or Afghanistan, comes back to be shattered by PTSD, he on a sort of hair-trigger.
“That’s what you’re saying it’s a sort of cliche in drama. That is not helpful because of course, people with PTSD, and not the majority of them will not be like that.”
Ross hit back: “It’s a specific kind of mental health issue.
“And it’s now become an all-encompassing term for a mental health issue.
“Service personnel, veterans, so it only accounts for seven percent of all veterans.
“And as you compare that to people in the general community who haven’t served, it’s a full percent.
“So it’s not dramatically larger than the people who haven’t served.”
He continued: “Whenever we see someone with PTSD on the screen, we know they’re potentially going to be the angry, mad, sad person.
“And as I say, you know, it’s having a real detrimental effect on…”
“The factors of PTSD can lead to terrible problems,” Susanna interrupted. “It’s one of the reasons that we need to be open about PTSD so that it can be treated.”
Susanna went on to point out that Richard Madden’s character in Bodyguard got help for his PTSD while the cast of SAS Who Dares Wins have also spoken out on their own struggles.
“That’s a really good example,” the host explained before adding: “Now, I’ve given you a couple of examples.”
Shutting Susanna down, Ross hit back: “Two examples and I could give you many more examples where it’s not.”
More to follow…
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