Catch up TV

Series 1: 3. The Elephant in the Room

First through the door is Essex lad Ben, who works as a driver’s mate on the big delivery lorries. Working nights, he sees his main responsibility as keeping the drivers awake by playing his favourite 80s and 90s pop hits, especially Britney Spears and Vengaboys. \n \nTo the outside world and on social media, Ben is a happy, outgoing person living his best life, but inside it’s a completely different story as Ben describes things in his life that he’s not sure how to deal with and that he feels really, really sad. \n \nRecently diagnosed with ADHD, Ben has come to see clinical psychologist Dr Fatoumata Jatta in the hope that she can help him make sense of everything and find a way to be happier in life. There’s a revelation for Ben when Fatoumata helps him discover a different perspective on his school years. \n \nJoanne works with psychotherapist Owen O’Kane to help her come to terms with a recent loss. She describes having previously had a charmed life, with a loving marriage, a beautiful home and close friends, but that world came crashing down when she discovered her husband had taken his own life, leaving her stuck in a cycle of looking for answers that may never be found. Owen helps her to confront the pain she’s been avoiding, helping her understand that healing begins not by running from the hurt but by facing it.\n \nMum of four Sarah has recently been given the all-clear following treatment for breast cancer. Whilst she is cancer-free, the experience has left a heavy scar on her emotional well-being, revealing to her therapist Julia Samuel the deep guilt she feels for the strain her illness placed on her family. Julia believes that Sarah’s attempts to protect her family from the experience have created a barrier between them. She hopes that encouraging Sarah to open up to her family about her feelings will not only strengthen their connection but also help Sarah to be free of the emotional burden she has carried for so long.

Source: BBC 1