February 2023 - Glycerine Queen Media

In the first decade of the 2000s, British singer, Amy Winehouse took the world by storm.

However, her life was a cry for help. The world could see she was in a world of pain.

And, people will have the option to see it all over again.

Black and white image of Amy Winehouse in 'Back to Black' music film clip — Amy Winehouse took the world by storm with hits such as ‘Rehab’ and ‘Back to Black

A biopic based on the late British singer hasn’t been released yet. It’s already controversial. 50 Shades of Grey’s Sam Taylor – Johnson.

The biopic, Back to Black shows the late singer’s rise to fame. There’s photos taken of Marisa Abela as Winehouse and Jack O’Connell as her ex – husband. It shows Winehouse’s final years.

Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch supports the film, despite slamming a documentary on his daughter’s life in 2015.

Is it exploitation?

Not everyone is looking forward to the film’s release. Yaz told ABC Everyday:

It’s only been twelve years since Amy died. For many fans, it still feels too raw. Hollywood has been trying to make a movie about Amy happen since 2011 — that’s how long it’s taken to get it off the ground. A few projects were floated over the years., but none have managed to get anywhere.
As told to Rachel Rasker and Yasmin Jeffery, ABC Everyday, posted 9 February, 9, 2023

Will this film be exploitative. Yaz thinks it might be:

Why would we now need a dramatised version of her already very well documented — and exploited — pain?

Mental health trauma porn: Winehouse isn’t the only victim

I’m not going to speculate Amy Winehouse’s mental diagnosis. If you look at Google or YouTube, you’ll find heaps of theories on it.

It’s clear that Winehouse was a very unwell woman. Her life was unravelling in front of the world’s eyes.

Unfortunately, she isn’t the only celebrity who’s mental health has unravelled while the world looked on. Actress Marilyn Monroe is another example I can think of.

Marilyn Monroe (real name Norma Jeane Mortenson), had a history of trauma and mental illness before her tragic death in 1962, just aged thirty – six. She was exploited and her world crumbled before everyone’s eyes.

Marilyn Monroe image on YouTube. 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend' titles are on the screen in white letters

In 1973, rock star, Elton John released Candle in the Wind. The Elton John/ Bernie Taupin track was written in honour of Monroe. The lyrics make it clear that Monroe was exploited, even after her passing:

Even when you died

Oh, the press still hounded you

All the papers had to say

Was that Marilyn was found in the nude
Candle in the Wind, E. John, B. Taupin, released 1973

Both Marilyn Monroe and Amy Winehouse were exploited. Their cries of help were ignored. People watched the ‘spectacle’ of their lives unravelling. However, I think things have positively changed since Monroe’s death.

People are willing to ask themselves the moralityvof tehashing lives of people who have suffered and died. That can on,y be a good thing.

If the Winehouse biopic is ever aired in Australia, I don’tvthink I’ll be seeing it. I do get people’s reservations. Let Amy rest in peace.

If you’re in Australia and are struggling, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 (they also have a webchat).

If you are in danger, call 000 (or your country’s emergency number.

Woman's hands unravelling tangled red threads in a white head to symbolise the brain and psychological problems — Image: Ildar Abulkhanov, iStock

In New South Wales, people with disabilities are (supposedly) protected under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Employers are forbidden to explicitly deny a candidate’s application due to disability.

Despite this, people with disabilities face barriers to employment. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as people without disabilities (10% vs 4.6%)

People with mental illnesses struggle to find work

It’s not just people with physical or neurological developmental disorders that face an uphill battle. According to Lauren Ahwan in the Herald Sun, people with mental illnesses face barriers to employment.

People with mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder, anxiety and post – traumatic stress disorder are twice as likely to be unemployed than the general population.

During the pandemic, there was an increased awareness of mental illnesses, especially depression. However, according to Australian College of Applied Professions senior lecturer, Timothy Hsi:

Mental illness is still seen as a weakness.

Most people are trying to be very optimistic and accepting, but in the back of minds of employers, they still think ‘Is this mental health condition going to affect (an employee’s ability to work)?
Timothy Tsi to Herald Sun,

Tsi argues that people with mental conditions can be just as productive as anyone else.

Employers could be making their candidate pool small

Woman employer smiling while interviewing a man while holding his job application — Image: SDI Productions, iStock

Every now and then, you hear employers who are crying out for more workers. Vacancies aren’t being filled.

Yet, they are making their candidate pool smaller. Last year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported:

More than 40% (43.7%) of Australians aged 16 to 85 have experienced a mental illness in their lifetime
More than one in five (21.4%) had a 12-month mental illness
Anxiety disorders were the most common
Almost two fifths (39.6%) of 16 to 24 had a 12 – month mental disorder.

Few things: these statistics only reflect people who admit they have a condition. The ABS data can’t include those who aren’t diagnosed or are in denial.

These statistics don’t predict the future. Anyone’s mental health can go south at any point. In 2019, journalistand author, Allastair Campbell made an eye – opening point:

We use these figures ‘1 in 4 will be mentally ill at some point in their lives’. 1 in 1 of us has got mental health and it’s never perfect
Allastair Campbell on Q and A, 22 July 2019

How to find an employer if you have a mental illness

If you do suffer a mental illness and are looking for work, Hsi advises:

Choose an employer who is supportive of people with mental illnesses
Present yourself at your best. It may be a good idea to practice relaxation techniques to avoid stumbling in interviews
If you need to, appoint a friend or support person nearby or to be in the room with you.

People are assets, not liabilities

In Australia, employers are expected to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate for people with disablities. I think we should change this mentality.

Employers should consider what candidates with disabilities and/ or mental illnesses can add to their company. I think we emphasise too much on what employers need to do to accommodate people. This probably employers hesitant.

So what can people with mental illnesses/ disabilities add to a workplace?

People with mental illnesses can be very empathetic. This is great for the employer, colleagues and customers/ clients
People with mental illnesses are very resilient. For example, according to Mimdful Meggie, people who have been treated for obsessive compulsive disorder can be more resilient and face adversity head-on

When we talk about employment and people with mental illnesses, strength, not liabilities should be the focus. Imagine a workplace that fosters more empathy and resilience. If that doesn’t make a better business, I don’t know what does.

What do you think? What can be done to decrease employment discrimination against people with disabilities or mental illnesses? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.