Watch: Heads Together Films – Stephen Fry, Professor Green and Ruby Wax on how they opened up about mental health problems
Published 28/03/2017
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have released two new films in the series. The films feature people from all walks of life talking, often with the person that they first opened up to, about the life changing conversation that helped them cope with their mental health problems.
The films published on the Heads Together YouTube page and website tells a range of stories from people across the UK including actor and writer Stephen Fry to musician Professor Green.
The playlist also includes candid interviews with Cricketer Freddie Flintoff; two paramedics based in Blackpool; comedian Ruby Wax and her husband Ed; model Adwoa Aboah with her mum; a blogger and her mum; Radio DJ Mim Shaikh with his mentor; writer Alastair Campbell talking with his partner, Fiona and two mums on experiencing motherhood for the first time.
Each story delves into a different mental health issues from from anxiety, alcoholism and depression through to loneliness, trauma and bereavement.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry said: "Since we launched Heads Together last May, we have seen time and time again that shattering stigma on mental health starts with simple conversations."
When you realise that mental health problems affect your friends, neighbours, children and spouses, the walls of judgement and prejudice around these issues begin to fall. And we all know that you cannot resolve a mental health issue by staying silent
On the release of the films, Their Royal Highnesses said: "We hope these films show people how simple conversations can change the direction of an entire life. Please share them with your friends and families and join us in a national conversation on mental health in the weeks ahead."
Alongside the film series, Heads Together published the most comprehensive survey of how people in Britain talk about their mental health carried out by YouGov. It shows that almost half of us (46%) have talked recently about mental health, with a quarter of us talking about our own mental health.
Attitudes to mental health are at a tipping point
Eight out of ten people who have talked about their own mental health found these conversations helpful. The findings show Britain is ‘opening up’ about its mental health but equally highlight some of the challenges that still remain. Men are less likely to talk than women and people aged 18- 24 are almost twice as likely to discuss mental health than those over 65. Also, fewer than one in five people who have had a conversation have talked to their GP and fewer than one in ten spoke either to a supervisor at work or a counsellor.
Related content
Prince Harry releases a selection of personal photographs from Africa
A speech by Prince Harry at the official opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre, Lesotho
Behind those smiles it was clear they desperately needed care, attention and above all, love.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards 2015
This is the sharp end of the human impact of one of the world's most pressing conservation crises.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the Centrepoint Awards
The impact of homelesseness is not temporary.
Programme details for Prince Harry's tour of Lesotho and South Africa
A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the Place2Be Headteacher Conference
I am sure you will agree that all children deserve time, attention and love from the adults in their lives.
A speech by Prince Harry at an Endeavour Fund reception
Trust them, trust yourselves – for you had the same training.
A speech by Prince Harry at Fort Belvoir
From that moment, I knew I had a responsibility to help all veterans, who had made huge personal sacrifices for their countries, to lead healthy and dignified lives after...
A speech by Prince Harry on the Invictus Games at the Ambassador's Residence, Washington DC
Invictus 2016 is going to be a huge success – let’s get out there and let’s make this happen.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge on the illegal wildlife trade for Chinese television
At this rate, children born this year – like my daughter Charlotte – will see the last wild elephants and rhinos die before their 25th birthdays.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Child Bereavement Charity UK 21st Anniversary dinner
What my mother recognised back then – and what I understand now – is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure.
A speech by Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards, 2015
We literally have the bravest children in the UK in this room.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Tusk's 25th Anniversary Ball
The need to protect wildlife in Africa is greater than ever before.
The Duke of Cambridge to deliver a speech on the illegal wildlife trade on Chinese television
A speech by Prince Harry at the Service of Dedication for the Bastion Memorial
The names of the Fallen shine in gold, as they do in our memories.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Trust 25th Anniversary dinner
Against a harrowing and sometimes soul-destroying backdrop, Tusk and its partners continue to build an amazing portfolio of projects, investing in grassroots conservation in...
A reading by Prince Harry at the Lone Pine Australian Service, Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign
Great valour was a common virtue.
A reading by Prince Harry from a letter written by an unidentified member of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 17 August 1915
Forty per cent of us on that hill were hit that night.
The Queen's message marking Prince Harry's secondment to the Australian Diggers
A speech by Prince Harry at the Walking with the Wounded "Walk of Britain" Launch
As I make this transition myself, I'm determined to do all I can to help others.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge about the illegal wildlife trade, at the Botanical Gardens in Xishuangbanna, China
As I believe you say in China, “one generation plants the trees in whose shade another generation rests”.
A speech by Prince Harry at the Coach Core graduation ceremony, St James's Palace
I hope that wherever the future takes you, that you will continue to be role models and to inspire others through sport.
A message by The Duke of Cambridge for the Evening Standard and The Independent's Homeless Veterans campaign
They would give their life to protect us, and they expect little in return.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the United for Wildlife reception, New York
You’re the lights at the end of the tunnel.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge on the illegal wildlife trade at the World Bank
I am determined not to let the world´s children grow up on a planet where our most iconic and endangered species have been wiped out.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Awards, 2014
As I've said before, time is running out.
A speech by Prince Harry at the Sentebale Polo Cup, Abu Dhabi
This is a generation that urgently needs our help, for their future and the future prosperity of Africa.
A speech by Prince Harry at RAF Honington
It is clear that every member of the Squadron possesses the determination and professionalism to succeed, even in the most arduous of circumstances.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the SkillForce 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner
The young there were just as moved as the old.
A speech by Prince Harry at the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala Dinner
All of us together can make a real difference for children and young people.
A message of support to The Art Room and The Clore Duffield Foundation, on their 50th anniversary, from The Duchess of Cambridge
A speech by Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards, 2014
It is fantastic to see so many people getting behind WellChild.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the World War One centenary commemorations, Belgium, 2014
Many nations here today, the United Kingdom among them, owe you a great debt of gratitude for your fortitude and resistance.
A message by The Duke of Cambridge about Fields in Trust's Centenary Fields Campaign
The spaces were living memorials, spaces for reflection and enjoyment, stillness and activity.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields Programme
In short, places where freedom may be expressed with such ease.
