In 2010, I (accidentally) helped to open up the national conversation on mental illness when I went public about the debilitating depression I was enduring.

After I recovered, I began advocating for a change in our attitudes towards those with ‘invisible’ illnesses. One of my great hopes is for a world where workplaces no longer stigmatise those with mental illness and discriminate against sufferers, but instead afford depression, OCD, anxiety, etc the same concern as physical illnesses (Covid, flu, exhaustion.)

The Elephant In the Room project, which persuades employers to demonstrate a commitment to societal change and employee care, is a great initiative. I am proud to be an ambassador. - Marian Keyes