Frank Bruno MBE to visit Reading for University Mental Health Day

Thursday, 23 February 2017

Universities across the UK will mark University Mental Health Day on Thursday 2 March. 

We’re starting our events one day earlier – the University is delighted to welcome former World and European heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno to campus on Wednesday 1 March.  

Frank Bruno MBE will first visit the Sportspark and will kick start a one-off ‘Super Circuits’ class. He will then speak to staff and students in a special event where he will discuss his personal experiences with Bipolar Disorder and severe depression – a battle widely scrutinised under the public eye. The event will be at 2 –3pm in the Van Emden Lecture Theatre, Whiteknights. The event is already fully booked, but a waiting list is in place if any further places become available – contact Events to join the waiting list. 

We’re in the process of confirming whether the discussion will be live streamed for those who can’t make it – keep checking the University’s official social media channels for updates. 

Having won 40 of his 45 professional fights and been crowned World Champion in September 1995, Frank refers to his fight with mental illness as the “toughest fight of his life”.

Frank now works more widely as a mental health ambassador, campaigning to break down stigma around mental health and will be here to talk about his experiences and answer your questions.

The event forms one of several events arranged by our counselling and wellbeing team for students and staff. The activities focus on Active Mental Health and explore links between keeping active and safeguarding mental wellbeing. 

There are many great activities taking place across campus on Thursday 2 March, including nature walks, mindfulness walks and wellbeing discussions – visit the University Mental Health Day page to see the full list of events.