Boxing legend and mental health awareness proponent Frank Bruno came to speak at 裸聊直播 as part of a series of events highlighting mental health.
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Speaking to an audience of hundreds of students, academics and members of the public, Frank spoke about some of the challenges he faced in dealing with mental illness, family life, and competing in the top tier of boxing, including some of his most notable fights against Mike Tyson and Oliver McCall.
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Interviewed by 裸聊直播鈥檚 Head of Regional Community Partnerships, Ian Jones, Frank spoke about his time while sectioned under the Mental Health Act,听the struggles he encountered after separating from his wife听Laura听in 2001, and his vulnerabilities to the gaze of the media whom he recognised听鈥渂uilt him up鈥�.
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Ian said: 鈥淚t was fantastic to interview听Frank for the evening. After having read his new book, 鈥楲et Me Be Frank鈥� in advance of the talk, I really got a sense of the man behind the legend, and an insight into other battles fought outside of the ring, such as his ongoing struggle with mental health.
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鈥淚 asked Frank听about the pressures that surround someone perceived to be at the top of their game, as well as those that mount when things don鈥檛 work out. Frank is so well-known for his friendly and welcoming attitude, but it was interesting to see how he was able to turn things around."
听While at 裸聊直播, Frank also met with young people from Up in Poole, a group funded by Borough of Poole, who were able to screen their film #LifeUnfiltered to the boxing legend, which looks at mental health in young people in the local area.
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Speaking ahead of his talk, Frank said: 鈥淎ll of us go through a stage, whether you鈥檙e young or you鈥檙e old 鈥� you go through a time where you have dark times. I could be talking to you right now, but I can鈥檛 look inside your brain to see what drama or what hassle you鈥檙e having.
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鈥淚鈥檓 doing the Frank Bruno Foundation, and we鈥檙e doing wellbeing and trying to keep away from medication and rely on self-confidence and living good with wellbeing, advice and sitting down and making a structure for life.鈥�
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Other events held over the week as part of World Mental Health Day 2017 included an immersive theatre performance by Caravan Theatre, which came to Talbot and Lansdowne Campuses, as well as a range of activities from sports to art and music, held by 裸聊直播 student union, SU裸聊直播.
