Unhappy with life and assaulted by Bernie gifs
The first question to be raised by a piece on the intersection between a particular fandom, and the extremely broad term“ mental health issues”, is, quite naturally, why the two would even be linked in the first place. I’ ll say at the outset that I expect that the premise of writing on this topic won’ t be universally popular, and no doubt many will find it entirely unnecessary; I fully appreciate that the majority of fans who have been enjoying the Berena storyline have likely simply sat back and appreciated the( fairly wondrous, it must be said) sight of two middle-aged women of equal status and ability( as the late lamented Raf put it) fall in love, without the need to consider any deep psychological impact, or their own psychiatric or emotional well-being …
But there’ s no doubt amongst the contacts, acquaintances and even genuine new friends I have made amongst the fandom, that it’ s turned out a few of us have had— how shall I put it?— a few wrangles in the peace of mind department over the years. I have a few thoughts as to why that’ s the case, and the impact Berena might have had in this context, and so whilst fully acknowledging that the discussion won’ t be everyone’ s cup of tea( or strong and hot coffee), I’ m going to have a very brief crack at explaining why I believe the burgeoning romantic relationship between our two favourite highly accomplished surgeons, and struggles of the psychiatric or psychological nature might, for some of us, come up in the same conversation.
For many, it seems Berena has been a turning, or a tipping, point; it’ s prompted a personal epiphany for some about feelings that have perhaps previously gone unacknowledged or unexpressed, and even allowed a few in the fandom to come out for the first time. For others— and I’ m amongst them— it’ s been a welcome depiction of women of a certain age( a little older than my own, but I’ m getting there …) finding happiness with one another in a genuinely rare slow-burn story that took time to develop the characters as well as the relationship. For me personally, Berena has been a welcome reminder of the sheer fun there is to be had in seeing someone even a little bit like myself on screen( sadly I don’ t have a lot in common with Bernie Wolfe other than a professional qualification and an appreciation for brunettes …), but at the same time, it’ s also provided a form of much-needed validation that arrived just when I was perhaps beginning to doubt myself, somehow— something to which, despite my best efforts, it seems I am periodically susceptible.
For a long time into adulthood, I had personally considered that being gay had afforded me a mental strength I otherwise might have lacked, especially in a family where emotional fortitude had often been at a premium. In requiring me, I felt, to“ toughen up” to a greater degree during my formative years, in order to deal with myself and what I knew I wanted, not to mention the all-too accurate accusations from others as to who I