Rap Therapy: Channel Four's new mental health series, taking psychotherapy and mindfulness to the streets
Been a while since we posted much to do with our rich categories of “personal development”, “individual”, and “practice” - and we couldn’t miss this phenomenon: Channel Four’s new animated series Rap Therapy (see the two opening videos embedded above, and all episodes here).
Here’s the background story from Creative Review:
Across five episodes – produced by Mother’s Best Child and TOAD – the series covers topics including trauma, grief, body image and sleep, all accompanied by personal stories from a different artist.
In episode one rapper Konan discusses the after effects of losing his stepdad, and in episode three Krept talks about how he processed the grief of his cousin dying in a car crash. In episode four, Ms Banks talks about how she learned to be comfortable in her own body, having grown up being the tallest in class.
As well as plenty for young people to relate to, the episodes offer some practical steps on how to feel better. Ray BLK is on hand to guide watchers through mindful breathing in times of stress or anxiety, while D Double E shares how to get a good night’s kip – with a sleep meditation guided by his incredibly soothing voice.
The series comes hot on the heels of ITV’s ongoing Britain Get Talking campaign, and at a time when many of us are experiencing mental health challenges as a direct result of lockdown and the ongoing pandemic – making these kinds of opportunities for people to speak candidly about their own struggles particularly welcome.