Boxing legend Frank Bruno took to the airwaves on Wednesday 30 March alongside his 24 year-old daughter Rachel in support of the new mental health anti-stigma campaign
‘It’s time to talk, it’s Time to Change’.
The England-based campaign, which is led by mental health charities Mind and Rethink, addresses the reluctance many of us feel in talking about mental illnesses and encourages conversations about mental health between people both with and without mental health problems.
Frank and Rachel appeared on ITV’s Lorraine in the morning plus regional radio throughout the day and BBC Radio 5 Live with Richard Bacon in the afternoon. This is the first time they have spoken out together about their journey as a family with mental illness and the conversations they have had around mental health.
Frank said: ‘Before I never liked to talk about my bipolar disorder but it’s good to talk and I talk openly about it now. It’s not shameful to have a nervous breakdown like it was in the olden days. It’s nice just to let it out instead of keeping it in, because the more you keep it in the worse it can be when it does come out. Mental health problems can happen to anybody so it’s important to talk.’
Rachel agreed, saying: “Talking about mental health is important and it doesn’t make any sense not to; it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Mental illness is really common, it can happen to anyone, and ignoring it just makes it worse for everyone. I’m proud to be speaking out alongside dad to help get people talking about mental health and make it part of everyone’s conversation.”
Time to Change director Sue Baker said: “Mental illnesses are common, so being able to talk about mental health is something that’s important for everyone. The recent Silence around mental health is a big cause of stigma and discrimination and, for people with mental illnesses, often the hardest part of having a mental health problem.
“It's good to see people like Frank being open about their experiences. And in the last week we have seen the England cricketer Michael Yardy speak out too. Their honesty will help them get the support they need from those around them, as well as educating others that mental health problems can happen to anyone.”
For more information about the campaign and to start your conversation about mental health visit www.facebook.com/timetochange or www.time-to-change.org.uk
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, COMMENT AND NATIONAL AND LOCAL CASE STUDIES CALL
Olivia Deskoski, Campaign PR Manager, on 020 7840 3137 or 07587 133 156
or email [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Time to Change is England’s most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation’s wellbeing. Mind and Rethink are leading the programme, funded with £16m from the Big Lottery Fund and £4.5m from Comic Relief, and evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London. For further information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk
2. The Big Lottery Fund’s support for Time to Change comes from its £165m Well-being programme. The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888/Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030/Textphone: 08456 021 659
3. Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and to get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society. The £4.5 million grant to Time to Change is part of Comic Relief's long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com