David Harewood: The Chilling Story Of How A Hollywood Star Lost His Mind
David Harewood, actor and mental health advocate, discusses his experiences with racism, his father's mental health struggles, and his own psychotic breakdown at 23. He shares his journey of healing, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing one's true identity.
Deep Dive Analysis
14 Topic Outline
David Harewood's Early Life and Identity Formation
Impact of Parents and Racial Hostility in Childhood
Father's Mental Health Breakdown and Sectioning
Societal Racism and Mental Health Disparities in Black Communities
Psychosis Experience: Mania, Delusions, and Sectioning
The Role of Identity and Rejection in His Breakdown
Challenging 'Strong Black Man' Stereotypes
Acting as an Escape and Source of Confidence
Public Disclosure of Mental Health and Documentary Impact
Criminalization of Black People in Mental Health Crises
Acceptance, Healing, and Controlling the Controllable
Developing a Unique Artistic Versatility
Advice for Navigating Life's Challenges
Building a Production Company and Personal Legacy
7 Key Concepts
Assimilation
The societal pressure for minority groups, such as black people in 1960s-70s Britain, to conform to the dominant culture, often at the expense of their own racial identity. David Harewood's identity as a black person was 'ironed out' to be 'British' or 'English'.
Othering
The act of perceiving or treating a person or group as intrinsically different from and alien to oneself, leading to feelings of fear and anxiety. David Harewood experienced this growing up in a predominantly white environment where he was constantly reminded of his difference.
Labelling Theory
A sociological concept where when society or individuals repeatedly label someone as something (e.g., a failure), that person may internalize the label and their behavior or self-perception can shift to align with it. This was discussed in the context of constant social rejection and its psychological impact.
Psychosis
A severe mental disorder characterized by a break from reality, often involving hallucinations (like hearing voices) and delusions (false beliefs). David Harewood experienced this, hearing the voice of Martin Luther King and believing he was meant to sacrifice himself.
White Space
A term used to describe environments or societies that are predominantly white, where people of color may feel a sense of being 'othered' or isolated, especially as they advance professionally. This concept was discussed in relation to mental health disparities among black people in Western cultures.
Tall Poppy Syndrome
A cultural phenomenon where people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because of their achievements and success. This was mentioned in the context of black individuals rising in white-dominated professional ladders and seeing fewer people of their own background.
Emergency Tranquilization
The practice of administering strong sedatives to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric distress, often involving physical restraint. David Harewood recounts receiving three times the legal dose, suggesting a disproportionate response due to racial bias.
8 Questions Answered
He grew up with a 'false sense of myself' and no solid identity, as he was constantly told to assimilate and was not exposed to many black images in media, leading to confusion when the world later defined him by his race.
The hostility, abuse, and rejection they faced upon arriving in England, combined with the expectation of a better life, seriously damaged many, leading to suppressed resentment and a reluctance to discuss that traumatic period.
Black people are overrepresented in Western mental health systems, with studies suggesting lower rates of psychosis in Africa compared to black communities in Western cultures, potentially due to the stress of living in a 'white space' and the build-up of resentment.
Yes, constant social rejection and being 'othered' can be destabilizing, leading to a need to rebuild one's self-image, and contributing to mental health crises like psychosis.
Acting became the only space where he felt 100% confident and free, allowing him to embody other characters and escape the insecurities of his own identity, much like an athlete finds freedom on the field.
The response was overwhelmingly emotional, with strangers approaching him in tears to share their own stories of mental illness, highlighting the commonality of these experiences and breaking the shame associated with psychosis.
Yes, black people, particularly black men, are often criminalized during a mental health crisis, facing arrest and disproportionate use of force, including receiving higher doses of tranquilizers due to fear and bias.
It involves accepting who you are, being prepared for tough times, learning from failures, controlling what you can control, and choosing acceptance over resentment.
14 Actionable Insights
1. Embrace Your True Self
Accept who you are and do not abandon your core identity, as this is the only true path to happiness and self-contentment, even if it means challenging external expectations.
2. Seek Culturally Competent Therapy
When dealing with identity-related issues, seek a therapist who shares your lived experience or cultural background to gain deeper understanding and validation of your fears and insecurities.
3. Confront Past Trauma Directly
Actively engage with past traumas, even by reviewing old records, to uncover and process suppressed emotions, which is crucial for healing and self-understanding.
4. Challenge Rigid Stereotypes
Challenge societal expectations and rigid stereotypes about your identity, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and sensitive, as it’s okay not to conform to a singular ‘alpha’ image.
5. Focus on Controllables
Concentrate your energy on what you can control, such as your feelings and actions, and practice acceptance for outcomes beyond your influence to avoid resentment and maintain well-being.
6. Avoid Self-Medication for Distress
Do not use alcohol or other substances to self-medicate when feeling unwell, as this can exacerbate stress, overthinking, and lack of sleep, leading to a downward spiral.
7. Proactively Create Opportunities
Don’t wait for others to provide roles or opportunities; proactively create your own work and ventures, especially as you gain experience and seek new challenges.
8. Inspire by Being an Example
Strive to be an inspirational figure and a positive example through your actions, as your presence and achievements can motivate others, especially future generations.
9. Express Love to Children
Regularly express love, respect, and pride to your children, such as through daily goodbyes, to ensure they feel valued and secure in your affection.
10. Find Value in Trauma
Recognize that even traumatic experiences can hold valuable lessons and provide a unique perspective that can benefit your personal growth and professional endeavors.
11. Leverage Downtime for Growth
When traditional opportunities are scarce, utilize the extra time to explore new ventures, create new work, and meet new people, turning downtime into a period of exciting growth.
12. Choose Acceptance, Not Resentment
Actively choose the path of acceptance over resentment when faced with life’s challenges, as this mindset helps attract positive outcomes and fosters excitement for the future.
13. Prioritize Self-Care for Rocky Times
Prepare yourself for inevitable tough times in life and career by prioritizing self-care, as failures often provide the best lessons for growth.
14. Strive for Excellence
Commit to bringing excellence to everything you do, ensuring high standards in your work and projects, especially when collaborating with others.
9 Key Quotes
I didn't think my colour was important. And that's why I say I was naive. I didn't think my colour was that important. I had no concept of myself as a sort of young black man.
David Harewood
You're not black, you're normal.
David Harewood
I think it's seriously damaged, not just my father, but many people who came here, in that generation, that Windrush generation, because it's fascinating to me how many Caribbean parents do not want to talk about that period, just do not want to go there.
David Harewood
I'm in a sense, lucky that my house fell down when it did. And I was able to put it back together again.
David Harewood
The first thing I read was patient believes he has merged hearts with a young black boy. And I just thought, what is that? What is, and I just looked through the medical records and it's all to do with my race and my identity. All of it.
David Harewood
I think that that person had to, I think that house had to come down, which is what I think my breakdown was all about. The more I learn about it, the more I realised that that image of that young boy, I had to, I had to start again. I had to rebuild my image of self.
David Harewood
I did everything that voice told me to do that night. Had that voice had told me to jump off Thames Bridge, I would have done it.
David Harewood
I think I've moved through that period of vulnerability into a period of healing and I think I'm in that healing period now.
David Harewood
Inspire people by your actions, crack up in the universe because we're still living in an age where we're the first. I was the first black actor, this was the first black person. We're still living in that age, so I think there's a whole legacy to leave, a whole legacy to open up, be an example not just to your generation but to future generations.
David Harewood