Burnley charity's Christmas advert sheds light on 'forgotten pandemic' of 2020

PH7 LIFE, which was almost forced to close its doors when all funding was removed and events cancelled due to the pandemic, believes depression rates have doubled this year, while almost 70% of people claimed to feel stressed and/or anxious and one in five experienced suicidal feelings

Restrictions meant mental health therapy services had to also cease.

The advert details the day in the life of Joshua Jason from Manchester. A real person, he has had a real journey and battle with his own mental health.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Whilst the big companies fight for the Christmas advert title, we thought we would step into the ring too. Our Christmas advert does not come with snowmen, happy carrots and singing mice. Our Christmas advert comes with one hard hitting message - ‘don’t forget about me’.

"When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, every penny of funding and events that had been secured were cancelled. Within a few months the future of our charity looked exceptionally bleak. Management had serious conversations about closing the doors for good.

"The cancellation of funding hit us hard. What hit us harder was the fact we had to close our doors to people who truly needed our help, more than ever before. What unfolded over the initial months of Covid-19 was heart breaking.

"What you see in the video is the reality for so many people living and walking around us. You may not know it, but everyone can be fighting a battle. It is our duty to highlight that.

"Covid-19 has been devastating for millions of people, but please don’t forget about the people who are still struggling to live and survive with their mental health on a daily basis.

"Our Christmas advert was created by award winning photographer and director Alexander Beer, the 2019 national portrait of the year winner alongside Channel 4 ‘Ackley Bridge’ star Sam Retford as the director of photography."

Alexander said he did the campaign as he felt the word mental health was still a taboo that people did not like to really talk about.

"It affects everyone in your lifetime, in a small way or a big way. No one is immune," he added.

"People are talking about it slowly but not many are listening, I believe it’s time for that to change. Even if this project stops 1 person taking their life and seeking help then this will be worthwhile."

Sam said: "Helping curate this project was an absolute privilege, it is an honour to be able to tell the stories that people need the most right now."