Time to Change’s famous supporters

‘1 in 4 people, like me, have a mental health problem. Many more people have a problem with that.’

Stephen Fry has experienced mental health problems for much of his life. But it wasn’t until he was 37 that he was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“I’d never heard the word before, but for the first time I had a diagnosis that explains the massive highs and miserable lows I’ve lived with all my life.”

During research for his documentary ‘The Secret Life of The Manic Depressive’, Stephen found out that the illness affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK.

He was also dismayed to discover the extent of prejudice surrounding mental health problems."I want to speak out, to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of mental illness that most people know little about”.

Stephen thinks better public awareness is essential to help people break the silence about mental illness.

“Once the understanding is there, we can all stand up and not be ashamed of ourselves, then it makes the rest of the population realise that we are just like them but with something extra.”

"It’s time we all understood more about mental health problems and how we can support friends and family. That’s why I’m supporting Time to Change – we all have a role in helping end mental health discrimination."

'My most challenging role was hiding my depression from other people.'

Patsy Palmer was watched by millions, but the pressures of life eventually took their toll.

“I had so much going on in my life at the time.”  On her way to work one day, Patsy had a panic attack.  The next morning Patsy woke up in a clinic, not knowing how she’d got there.

“The clinic was probably the best thing that could have happened because I felt safe there.  I had counselling and started to recover.”

However, Patsy was very aware of the stigma and prejudice that surrounds mental health problems.

“I was frightened to tell people about it, because I thought they might treat me differently or think I couldn’t cope.”

With one in four of the population likely to experience mental health problems, Patsy says:  “Anyone who says they've never felt affected in some way are either extremely lucky or telling fibs." 

Patsy reviewed her life after her breakdown, determined to get more balance.

"It was years ago now, but in a way, I'm pleased it happened," she says, "because it puts things into perspective, and makes you sort out your priorities. I’ve now got the balance right and am loving my life.”

'I said to Tony Blair you do know about my breakdown, don’t you?'

When Tony Blair asked Alastair Campbell to work for him in 1994, he revealed his mental health problems to the man who would be Prime Minister.  “I said Tony, you know I get depression from time to time?  He said, ‘I'm not worried, if you're not worried."

Alastairs’s experience at work is in sharp contrast to the majority who experience mental health problems.

“I thought, if the Prime Minister can take that attitude, why can’t other employers?”

But in a recent survey, only four out of ten employers said they would employ someone with a history of mental illness.

Alastair says, “Depression should be properly recognised as an illness and openly talked about, the same way people talk about a broken leg.”

He credits his own recovery to the support of his family, and friends, medical support, and, of course, getting back to work. 

“I was incredibly lucky, others.” he says, “are not so fortunate.  Challenging stigma and changing attitudes takes time. But it happens.”

"We need to start challenging outdated attitudes. We can all do something – you don’t need to become an expert on mental health problems to make a difference. You can help. Find out how and get involved at time-to-change.org.uk."

‘1 in 5 people have dandruff. 1 in 4 people have a mental health problem. I’ve had both.’

Ruby Wax has experienced episodes of depression for most of her life, but it wasn’t until she finally checked into a clinic, that she realised how wide spread mental problems are: “It’s so common, it could be anyone. The trouble is, nobody wants to talk about it. And that makes everything worse.”

Ruby has written about depression and used the topic for her one woman shows as a way of getting the subject out in the open.

“We need to take the stigma out of mental illness. People shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

Ruby manages her depression through therapy and medication and is optimistic about the future:

“It used to be the ‘C’ word - cancer - that people wouldn’t discuss. Now it’s the ‘m’ word. I hope pretty soon it’ll be okay for everyone to talk openly about their mental health without fear of being treated differently.”