Frank's story

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Prejudice

   
In 2003, Frank Bruno was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He believes events in his personal life contributed to the breakdown. “Build-up of pressure - marriage breaking up, someone you love dying – it's like having three radios on at the same time.”

In his boxing career, Frank won forty fights. But it was the blows outside the ring, when people found out about his mental health, that really hurt. “Some people don’t want to know you any more. They delete you, rub you out.”

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But those closest to Frank, especially his kids, rallied round to help him through those difficult times. As he got better, Frank wanted to know more about his condition. And, despite feelings of isolation, he soon found out he was far from alone. “One in four people will have some kind of mental health problem. It can happen to anyone; milkmen, lawyers even boxers.”

Frank has made a full recovery. But he keeps an eye on his mental wellbeing. “I keep training, eat well and look after myself, know what I mean?”

Reacting to the narrow-mindedness he faced, Frank says “If this happens to someone’s father, brother or sister, I reckon it would make them act differently.”

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