Mental health groups disappointed with BB

Mental health groups have voiced their disappointment with Channel 4 following Shahbaz's exit.

Shahbaz, who had remained distanced from the group during his short stay in the house, was removed after four hours of counselling regarding suicidal threats, The Mirror claims.

Meanwhile, the Mental Health Foundation and other similar organisations have been complaining that the troubled housemate should not have been kept in the house as long as he was.

The newspaper quotes a letter to the broadcaster from Dr. Andrew McCulloch of the MHF as saying: "While I can only guess at Shahbaz's condition, we are concerned that vulnerable people apparently continue to be allowed into such a high-pressured environment.

"This kind of programming can make individuals who are distressed a laughing stock. This will only feed the discrimination that already impacts heavily on people suffering from mental illness.

"Broadcasters have a responsibility to report on and deal with mental health issues with fairness and integrity. The influence that a programme like Big Brother can have on people's attitudes must not be under-estimated."

"It is disappointing that Channel 4 seems to have little regard for vulnerable contestants in the Big Brother house," he concluded.