Ruby Wax addresses mental health conference in Wolverhampton
Comedian Ruby Wax stepped out in front of more than 600 guests at a conference aimed at combating the stigma surrounding mental health.
The event, organised by HeadStart, was attended by teachers, health professionals and voluntary sector staff who work with children aged from 10 to 16.
Held at Wolverhampton Racecourse yesterday, it aimed to help improve young people’s resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Ruby, aged 64, used her own experiences of depression to highlight mental health issues.
She said: “I am backing up Headstart Wolverhampton today, which is the ultimate thing I can do.
“This is about giving kids a network so that they don’t feel alone.
“Mental illness can make people feel shame – it is about taking that stigma away. I’m a comedian so the main thing is to bring humour to my talk – that’s the way to make people listen.”
The conference featured themed workshops as well as a community showcase giving delegates the chance to meet some of the programme’s young people.
Ruby continued: “Sadly children are getting more mental health problems than ever before.
“My message to those in power such as the teachers and youth workers is to remove the stigma – and they better go along with it. We want to do all we can to change this.”
