Sir Stephen Fry has sent a personalised video message to students at Harrogate College focusing on mental health.
The message was shared with students yesterday - on what is considered 'Blue Monday' in the UK - during sessions linked to the college’s Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes (PDBA) programme.
As part of this work, the Harrogate College team has been exploring wellbeing and real-world issues with students across the college.
After discussing public figures who speak openly about mental health, Carl, one of the college’s pastoral and PDBA tutors, contacted Sir Stephen Fry because of his long-standing advocacy for mental wellbeing and education.
The college later received a video message from him addressed directly to students.
In the video, Sir Stephen Fry said:
"I’m so delighted you’re turning your attention to mental health. It’s more talked about now than it ever has been, and that’s really important - but it doesn’t mean that it’s solved the problem of stigma or of private misery for people, or embarrassment or shame or a whole range of negative feelings."
"One has to try and focus out all of that noise and forget the public debate, and to some extent the social media debate, and concentrate on friends, those around you and the people you know.
"Mental health problems are not limited to people of a certain age, or a certain class, or education, background, ethnicity or sexuality, but of course it is true that trans people and other LGBQT people often do you find it more difficult and are under greater strain."
He added:
"It’s up to all of us, when we’re well, to understand, to accept and to give an emotional hug to those we’re close to and those who speak to us honestly, and to encourage conversation."
A Harrogate College spokesperson said:
"Stephen’s message is a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding, kindness and looking after our wellbeing."
Sir Stephen also addressed some media narratives around the issue, saying that newspapers say it’s all overblown and the young people are ‘claiming’ mental health problems as a way of getting out of exams or doing things they don’t want to do.
The message was shared with students as part of wider discussions aimed at encouraging understanding and support around mental health within the college community.
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