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Wayne Brady Sets Out to End Stigma Surrounding Men and Mental Illness

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Wayne Brady is speaking out about a personal subject to battle the stigma that surrounds men with mental illness.

Last November, the comedian spoke out about his ongoing depression. Now, he’s joined a campaign, launched in part by the organization Bring Change 2 Mind, called #StrongerThanStigma.

The rate of suicide among men has been three to four times that of women over the past 30 years, according to the campaign’s website. Men are just as vulnerable to mental health problems as women, but traditionally they’re more reluctant to seek help for fear of appearing weak. That’s why #StrongerThanStigma aims to raise awareness and encourage an increase in dialogue about the subject.

I really wish I would have spoken out earlier,” Brady says in the video below. “There is nothing like being able to shine a light on those secrets.”

Listen to Brady discuss depression and the stigma surrounding mental illness in the video below: 

If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

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Image via Wikimedia Commons/SMSpivey

Originally published: February 10, 2015
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