What role did racism play in David Harewood's and his father's mental health crises?

Both David Harewood and his father experienced profound racism and rejection in England. The constant hostility, epitomized by incidents like bricks through windows and verbal abuse, led to a buildup of resentment and anxiety. For his father, this contributed to his mental health deterioration and sectioning, while for David, it was a major contributing factor to his own breakdown and psychosis.

What was David Harewood's experience of his father being sectioned?

David Harewood's father was sectioned when David was in his early teens. His mother vaguely explained it as his father 'not being well' and being taken to the hospital. It was only when David experienced his own sectioning many years later that he truly understood the loss of liberty and the profound impact it had on his father, who was 'never the same again.'

How did David Harewood's identity as a black male actor affect his career?

After drama school, David Harewood was met with 'ferocious hostility' and dismissive reviews, often focused solely on his race rather than his acting. He felt like an 'anomaly,' rejected by white critics for being black and by some black audiences for being perceived as 'too white' or not conforming to stereotypes of black masculinity.

What was David Harewood's experience during his psychotic episode?

David Harewood describes his psychosis as beginning with a manic, exciting phase, characterized by heightened dopamine levels and a disturbed sense of reality. He hallucinated voices, including one he believed to be Martin Luther King, who instructed him to embark on a bizarre mission to Camden, ultimately leading to his sectioning.

How did his documentary on mental health affect David Harewood and public perception?

His 2019 documentary was profound and led to thousands of emotional messages from strangers, many sharing their own struggles with mental health. It helped destigmatize psychosis and allowed people to openly discuss their experiences, transforming David from an actor to a symbol of hope. However, the emotional toll of connecting with so many affected individuals was immense, leading to a period of intense pain and vulnerability.

What is the 'criminalization of psychosis' for black individuals that David Harewood discusses?

David Harewood highlights how black individuals in a moment of medical crisis, specifically psychosis, are often criminalized rather than treated. He recounts instances of black people being shot, arrested, or given excessive tranquilizers due to fear and prejudice, leading to devastating and sometimes fatal outcomes.

Why does David Harewood now embrace characters who push boundaries in his acting?

Having 'crossed the line' into psychosis and experienced unacceptable behavior in his own life, David Harewood now sees anything leading up to that line as 'fair game' in acting. This personal experience allows him to fully immerse himself and push boundaries in complex characters, which he finds greatly exciting and freeing.

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TL;DR

David Harewood discusses his descent into psychosis, racism, and the lasting impact of his experiences.

Key Insights

Harewood's early life was shaped by a lack of black representation, leading to an underdeveloped sense of identity.

Experiences with racism, from childhood to his acting career, significantly contributed to his mental health struggles.

His father's mental health deterioration and subsequent sectioning, possibly linked to internalized racism and societal pressures, deeply impacted Harewood.

Harewood's own psychotic episode and sectioning were a culmination of profound social rejection, trauma, and the pressures of his career.

Accepting oneself and embracing vulnerability is crucial for mental well-being, as highlighted by Harewood's therapeutic journey.

Harewood advocates for open conversations about mental health, particularly the criminalization of mental health crises in people of color.

EARLY YEARS AND IDENTITY FORMATION

David Harewood's formative years were marked by a significant lack of positive black representation in media, which he believes put him at a disadvantage. Growing up, he lacked a solid framework for his identity as a young black man because there were few images of people like him. This led to him developing a naive and ill-informed sense of self, not fully grasping the importance of his race in the societal context he would later encounter. He was encouraged to assimilate, often hearing phrases that ironed out his black identity, which resulted in a "wake-up call" when he entered the professional world.

THE PERVASIVE IMPACT OF RACISM

Harewood recounts numerous instances of racism throughout his life, starting from childhood. As a young black actor, he faced ferocious hostility and dismissive reviews, with media outlets questioning his suitability for roles based on his race. This constant 'othering' and rejection created an environment of fear and anxiety, making everyday journeys, like walking home from school, feel like navigating a minefield. The psychological toll of this persistent societal rejection deeply affected his sense of self and contributed significantly to his mental health challenges.

FAMILY BACKGROUND AND FATHER'S STRUGGLES

Harewood describes his parents, his mother as strong and fearless, and his father as a quiet, reserved man who was often absent due to work. While their home was filled with laughter, it lacked outward tenderness. He later understood his father's deterioration and sectioning in the 1970s, attributing it partly to the immense pressure and resentment built up from facing racism and discrimination in England after immigrating from the Caribbean. This period, often not discussed by the Windrush generation, profoundly damaged many, including his father, who was never the same after his release.

PSYCHOSIS AND THE NIGHT OF SECTIONING

At age 23, Harewood experienced a severe psychotic episode, reportedly hearing the voice of Martin Luther King Jr. guiding him towards self-sacrifice to 'close the gap between good and evil'. This delusional state led to him being sectioned. He recalls the event as a blur of flashing lights and being in the back of a police wagon. The experience was terrifying, marked by a loss of identity and memory, highlighting the profound loss of liberty that comes with psychiatric confinement and the critical importance of timely intervention and support.

RECONCILING BIOLOGY, EXPERIENCE, AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE

Harewood's journey involved understanding the interplay between biological predispositions and life experiences in mental health. His breakdown was influenced by accumulated trauma, including his parents' divorce and the constant stress from racism. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one's true self, including vulnerability and sensitivity, rather than conforming to societal stereotypes of black masculinity. Therapy, particularly with a black male therapist, proved instrumental in helping him process these complex issues and become more comfortable with himself.

ACTING AS A FORM OF CONTROL AND ESCAPE

Harewood finds solace and confidence in acting, viewing it as a controlled environment where he can safely explore different identities. He contrasts this with the unpredictability of real life, where he feels less secure due to his past traumas and insecurities. While acting served as an escape, he learned that true happiness comes from accepting who you are. He notes that the issues he faced as a 'black actor' in a predominantly white industry constrained his roles, but his versatility, forged by life experiences, has become his unique strength.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND THE HEALING PROCESS

Opening up about his experiences through a tweet, then a documentary, initiated a profound healing process. While initially terrifying, public disclosure allowed for shared vulnerability and destigmatized mental health conversations, particularly for people of color. The documentary's impact was immense, with strangers sharing their own stories. This openness, however, also brought challenges, including a shift in his acting career towards documentaries and concerns about being perceived differently. He is now focused on controlling what he can, embracing his current creative endeavors, and building a production company.

CHALLENGING THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISES

Harewood critically examines the criminalization of mental health crises, especially for people of color. He highlights instances where individuals experiencing breakdowns are met with arrest and imprisonment rather than medical treatment. He also addresses the issue of over-sedation, noting that as a large black man, he received doses of tranquilizers higher than medically necessary, possibly due to fear from medical professionals. This underscores the systemic issues that need to be addressed to ensure equitable and humane mental healthcare for all.

LEGACY AND INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS

Harewood's personal legacy is to inspire others through his actions and to 'crack open the universe' by paving the way for future generations. He finds purpose in being an example, particularly for young black individuals, demonstrating that they can pursue their dreams and achieve greatness, even in fields where representation has historically been scarce. He emphasizes the importance of looking after oneself and controlling what is within one's power, advocating for a proactive approach to personal development and well-being.

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Common Questions

Growing up with few black images on television, David Harewood developed a 'false sense of self.' He initially thought his race was unimportant, leading to a lack of solid identity structure. The expectation to assimilate into British white society further confused his self-perception.

Topics

Mental Health & Psychology Mindset & Self-Improvement Society & Philosophy Trauma Healing Personal Resilience Racial Identity Psychosis Recovery Mental Health Awareness Acting And Identity Societal Bias

Mentioned in this video

personMaisie Williams

Game of Thrones actress who spoke on the podcast about acting being a form of escapism and a therapeutic place to abandon identity.

mediaThe Diary of a CEO

The podcast hosting the interview with David Harewood.

organizationBBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation, which found David Harewood's medical records from 30 years prior and aired his documentary about his mental health experiences.

personDiego Maradona

Football legend described as a genius on the pitch but unable to cope with life off it, used as an example of excelling in a controlled environment while struggling with personal life.

locationVancouver

The city where David Harewood had his flat and where he returned to read his medical records more thoroughly.

personBruce Lee

Martial artist and philosopher whose 'be like water' philosophy is referenced by Harewood to describe his own versatility as an actor and person.