Wally RTE 1 2/04/2013

yosemite_sam

Is anyone watching this, who commissioned this muck?

Dtp79

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Is anyone watching this, who commissioned this muck?

What? The man suffers from depression. Can he not tell his story and make others more aware?

Tobyglen

Great programme. Fair play to him.

Yosemite, you'll grow up someday.

ruth_wex

Here in Wexford, we have a serious suicide problem, particularly with young men. After attending the funeral of a yet another friend this weekend, I can wholeheartedly say I wish he had seen this programme. Maybe it wouldn't have made the slightest bit of difference but I'm pretty sure it'll make a difference for someone else who are in a similar frame of mind to Wally and might make them second guess their decision.

yosemite_sam

Dtp79 I know all about what depression does to people, I lost someone to suicide myself so you can save me the advice. Drugs and being able to purchase alcohol from supermarkets quite comfortably whilst on the social are the biggest problem. Head down to your supermarket and you can get 24 tins foe €24 drink that in the house on your own for a few months and see how depressed you become.

ruth_wex

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Dtp79 I know all about what depression does to people, I lost someone to suicide myself so you can save me the advice. Drugs and being able to purchase alcohol from supermarkets quite comfortably whilst on the social are the biggest problem. Head down to your supermarket and you can get 24 tins foe €24 drink that in the house on your own for a few months and see how depressed you become.

I think Dtp79 responded pretty appropriately considering your comment in fairness yosemite_sam .... the aim of the show was to highlight depression and maybe make people more aware that you can have a good life in spite of it and not to turn to suicide .... maybe I'm wrong here but the fact that some other content of the show (the rapping, etc) was muck or not seems kind of irrelevant ...

yosemite_sam

Tobyglen, rubbish. Why should my license fee be spent on muck like that, it is not my fault he decided to become a space cadet for nine years. If you were abusing ecstasy,cannabis and alcohol for nine years, your brain would be fried too

bwalsh1983

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Tobyglen, rubbish. Why should my license fee be spent on muck like that, it is not my fault he decided to become a space cadet for nine years. If you were abusing ecstasy,cannabis and alcohol for nine years, your brain would be fried too

Would you prefer it be spent on things like six in the city? I though this was a very powerful piece of television and something we should have more of on RTE.

I'm sure he didnt request for a documentary to be made on him Yosemite.

One of the best docs Ive seen on RTE since What We Leave in Our Wake.

ThirdMan

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Why should my license fee be spent on muck like that

It wasn't commissioned by RTE as far as I know. It's over a year old, and was first screened in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise. But it shouldn't matter who funded it. RTE are a state-funded public broadcaster. They have to broadcast a wide range of programming. This may not have been to you taste, but it dealt with an important issue that isn't being addressed enough in this country. In terms of your license fee contribution, well I doubt it cost you much more than a rerun of a three year old BBC interior-design programme.

yosemite_sam wrote: »

it is not my fault he decided to become a space cadet for nine years.

Of course it's not your fault. In fact, Wally made it quite clear whose 'fault' it was. That he recognised this and pulled his life together is what the show was about. Fair enough, his music isn't great. But it's not about that. Music is just his way of expressing himself. And the fact that you use terms like 'space cadet' shows just how out of touch you are with these types of issues.

yosemite_sam wrote: »

If you were abusing ecstasy,cannabis and alcohol for nine years, your brain would be fried too

People have been abusing these substances for years, particularly alcohol. So a documentary that focuses on the effects of that abuse should be welcomed with open arms.

Honestly, I can see why people wouldn't like this programme, or the music in it. I can even see why people would want to complain about it. That's fair enough, we're all entitled to our opinion. But why on earth anyone would want to express themselves in such an ignorant manner is simply beyond me. People baffle me at times.

Finally, I was delighted to see someone on RTE from my part of the country. Speaking with with a working class accent, and dealing with issues that are very important to the people that have been unfortunate enough to encounter them.

In short, grow up and get over yourself.

MidlandsM

to be fair, it was SH!t ........ boring, SH!t telly.....

ThirdMan

MidlandsM wrote: »

to be fair, it was SH!t ........ boring, SH!t telly.....

Well I didn't think so, buy to each their own.

But I can't wait for RTE to get back to its regular programming. Cause it's been like ages since I seen Off The Rails like, ya know.

bwalsh1983

ThirdMan wrote: »

Well I didn't think so, buy to each their own.

But I can't wait for RTE to get back to its regular programming. Cause it's been like ages since I seen Off The Rails like, ya know.

Can't be long now untill they start showing endless re-runs of 2 1/2 men again, brilliant.

If anyone is interested this is possibly the finest documentary that I have ever seen on Irish television (and in realtion to Ireland!). Pat Collins makes some amazing stuff.

http://harvestfilms.ie/what-we-leave-in-our-wake

robbie02

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Is anyone watching this, who commissioned this muck?

I think this was a very brave thing to do to bear your soul like this takes real guts,this documentary may even save some lives. You have a deplorable atitude yosemite:mad:

Ash.J.Williams

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Tobyglen, rubbish. Why should my license fee be spent on muck like that, it is not my fault he decided to become a space cadet for nine years. If you were abusing ecstasy,cannabis and alcohol for nine years, your brain would be fried too

maybe we should convert spike island into a holding pen for people who enjoyed ecstasy and weed back in the day until their depression subsides?

Tobyglen

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Tobyglen, rubbish. Why should my license fee be spent on muck like that, it is not my fault he decided to become a space cadet for nine years. If you were abusing ecstasy,cannabis and alcohol for nine years, your brain would be fried too

Another internet warrior.

The documentary was a very positive story and could help a lot of people. Unfortunately a few people like yourself will always try a put a negative slant on things. You'll mature some day.

Cork of course

Mental health is a huge issue in this country today, especially for men. Men do not have the same coping mechanisms as women when it comes to dealing with their own mental health. Stigma around mental health is also a huge problem in this country. It can be difficult realise how complex ilnesses like depression are. Drug use and alcohol abuse can contribute as a cause of depression but they can often be an effect as a seriously depressed person seeks distraction from their problems.

I havnt seen this show so I cant comment but I gather it involved some questionable rapping. It is good for people with depression & other mental health issues to have a hobby or pastime that they can focus on instead of substance abuse. Reaching excellence at that pastime isnt the goal.

Unemployment & financial distress are causing huge increases in both suicide and numbers of people with mental health issues. There are many groups trying in small ways to provide help and a sympathetic ear to those who are in distress, sometimes thats all it takes to save a life. So if you have a friend or loved one who you are concerned about dont ignore the problem, talk to them. You dont have to talk about their ilness talk about anything, the weather, a match, tv anything just talk to them.

MidlandsM

Cork of course wrote: »

Mental health is a huge issue in this country today, especially for men.

yep, totally agree, but it was still Sh!t telly......

MemoryMan Deluxe

It never ceases to amaze me how some people will always find the negative in a story containing such positivity. And I'm particularly surprised at how certain people seem to think it's "their license fee" that's paying for this programme.

You are not being asked to like anything. It is telling a very powerful story about how somebody can slip through the cracks of society and almost get to the point of no return. This is somebody who's not looking for sympathy. He shows remorse for the "space cadet" years.

He is still dealing with depression (in the same way as an addict will ALWAYS be an addict). And it's about hanging in there. A lesson a lot of young people (and older) need to learn.

With the greatest of respects to the person who started this thread, maybe you need to talk to somebody about whatever issues cause you to react to the programme in this way.

Cork of course

There is a lot to what you say memman, public broadcasters have a duty to show a range of shows, but it is joe publics funding that is collected by way way of licence fee that is used to part fund the organisation along with advertising revenue. This includes making content, purchasing content and salaries of top presenters (indeed all staff). Joe public has a right to voice concerns about the quality of any programming especially when we the vast sums spent on the top ten VIPs.
In my view funding spent on programs to highlight mental health is money well spent- however there should be much more in the way of follow ups, educational items when programmes of this nature are broadcast. RTE is also in competition with cable and satelite operators which kindof hinders their ability to perform as a public broadcaster. As an organisation its days are numbered unless it changes the way it operates drastically.

MemoryMan Deluxe

I'm very aware of RTE's duties and (dys)function. My annoyance is with people throwing around the 'it's MY license money paying for this' joke of an argument with subject matter such as this. It doesn't seem to affect them watching imported American tv series' or The Voice, which costs a damn sight more to broadcast than a half hour documentary produced by a 2/3 person crew. (Did nobody notice the short credits??)
Ask any expert in the field of mental health and they'll tell you, stories like Wally's are scarily commonplace, yet very few will talk about it.
I think RTE showed a lot of bravery and should be applauded for their willingness to address the subject head-on rather than have a panel discussion of talking heads. Far cheaper too, I'd imagine. Hardly take much to check the rates.