How the Stigma is Breaking
Although there is still a strong stigma attached to mental health conditions, it is slowly breaking.
Organisations, the media and the general public are starting to become more aware of the significance and severity of mental health problems.
In recent years, many celebrities have come forwards to speak about their mental health problems:
Prince Harry
Prince Harry has recently opened up about his struggles with his mental health after his mother passed away in a road traffic accident. Having previously struggled with ‘opening up’, he is now championing mental health.
J.K. Rowling
J.K Rowling struggled with severe bouts of depression, which included suicidal ideation. She described depression as; “the absence of being able to envisage that you will never be cheerful again. The absence of hope”.
Michael Phelps
The most decorated Olympian of all time has openly suffered with depression ‘half a dozen’ times, even stating ‘I didn’t want to be alive’. He stated his family and friends were key to him being in a healthy place today.
Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax is an American comedian who was regularly on British TV in the noughties. Ruby has been open about her struggle with depression, even publishing books on the topic. Ruby manages her depression through therapy, medication and mindfulness.
Jim Carrey
The loveable comedic actor Jim Carrey has openly admitted he has struggled with depression. He states that accepting he had depression was the first step to dealing with it. Jim finds accepting ‘low’ periods is crucial for our mental health.
Danny Rose
Danny Rose is a footballer for England and Tottenham Hotspur. Just before the 2018 World Cup he revealed he has been struggling with depression, after periods of Danny’s family being racially abused and long periods of injury.
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry has experienced poor mental health throughout his life, however, it wasn’t until the age of 37 he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although Stephen recognises bipolar disorder cannot be “cured”, he can manage his condition.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was described as suffering from “melancholy,” a condition which modern mental health professionals would characterise as clinical depression.
Frank Bruno
Boxing legend, Frank Bruno openly struggled with bipolar disorder. The ex-boxing world champion is now able to talk openly about his and others mental health.
