Stephen Fry
‘‘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 theManic Depressive', Stephen found out that the illness affects hundreds of thousands of people in theUK.
He was also dismayed to discover the extent of prejudice surroundingmental health problems."I want to speakout, 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."
