Charities hail the Harry effect
MENTAL health charities have reported a doubling in the number of people contacting them for help after Prince Harry’s revelations about his own struggles.
Mind, the leading mental health charity, said calls to its information line had risen 38 per cent this week, compared with an average day. Others reported an even larger increase.
Prince Harry, 32, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have each spoken frankly about their own mental health this week ahead of today’s London Marathon in which members of their charity project, Heads Together, will run. Each has said they wished to play a small role in encouraging members of the public to follow their lead, opening up a “national conversation” about mental health.
The mental health debate shot to prominence after Prince Harry spoke exclusively to Telegraph journalist Bryony Gordon on her podcast Mad World.
ON JANUARY 14, 2008, Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn met for the first time on Waterloo Bridge – the former in such despair he was ready to jump, and the latter the unexpected good Samaritan who intervened.
With a promise that “things can get better” and an invitation for coffee, Neil successfully talked Jonny back to safety before they went their separate ways. Eight years later, thanks to a social media campaign to “Find Mike” – Jonny’s nickname for the man who saved his life – the pair were reunited. Today they will run 26.2 miles together in aid of mental health charity Heads Together.
Jonny, 30, and Neil, 34, are among the remarkable cohort of runners invited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to take on the London Marathon for their personal cause. They resolved to take part in the race while on the train together last year on their way to a Heads Together event. Neither has run a marathon before but now they are on track to raise £50,000 for the charity. The last week, they said, has been “phenomenal”.
Jonny, who was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder when he was 20, has spoken frankly about his own mental health struggles, which culminated in him standing on Waterloo Bridge contemplating suicide.
Neil, who spotted the lone figure amid the commuters while walking to work, stopped to tell him: “It’ll get better mate, you will get better.”
After a 25-minute conversation, the emergency services stepped in. The pair, who both live in London, now campaign on mental health issues together.
“It’s going to be emotional, very emotional,” Jonny said of today’s run. “But we’re all in it together and I’m excited to be a part of it – it’s a privilege.”
“I’m feeling really positive about it,” Neil added.
The past week has seen a “tidal wave” of awareness on mental health issues, after Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge spoke about their own struggles following the death of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Charities reported calls and hits to their websites almost doubling in the wake of the Royals’ efforts. Twitter reported a 16-fold rise in conversation about Prince Harry and 23-fold about Heads Together the day after his Telegraph interview, with people discussing all aspects of mental health.
“When I walked past Jonny that day on the bridge, there was a fraction of anything about mental health in the media,” said Neil. “Now, there is an article in the newspaper every single day. It’s like an awakening at the moment, and it’s so great to see that.”
Talking of the Royals, he added: “They’ve got a lot on their shoulders, and to be open and honest about something which has so much stigma about it is really commendable.”
Jonny said: “The last week has been phenomenal, the way that people are talking about it. I hid what was going on from my family and friends, and I think if these conversations had been the norm back then I would have been more open.”
He added that it was essential for mental health services to provide the help for those who do speak out. “It can’t just be us talking, it’s got to be more from the top,” he said.
The Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon was also running for Heads Together, along with broadcaster Sian Williams, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, and Maddy Austin, the daughter of newsreader Mark Austin, who has spoken of her anorexia.
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were planning to attend sections of the route to cheer on the 700 runners for their charity.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace said the Royals would continue their work “well past the marathon. Their Royal Foundation will be partnering with the voluntary sector to back new initiatives to help people get the information and guidance they need”.
‘It’s going to be very emotional. But we’re all in it together and I’m excited to be a part of it – it’s a privilege’