Fry admits suicide attempt

Paul Farmer, the chief executive of mental health charity MIND, says Stephen Fry is helping to "sweep away the stigma surrounding mental health".

He said: "Stephen Fry, our president, has been extremely open and honest about his own mental health and the depths of despair he has experienced, and we know just from the response we've had in the last 24 hours how important that is to thousands of people who now feel that they're not alone."

There are around 6,000 people who take their own lives in this country every year.

For help and advice about mental health issues visit the MIND website.

Stephen Fry has told of the moment he tried to commit suicide, saying that "it was a close run thing."

The comedian and actor said he was only saved because his producer found him unconscious in his hotel room in 2012.

Footage courtesy of www.gofasterstripe.com.

The Samaritans charity is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website.

Read: Stephen Fry reveals he attempted suicide in 2012

The actor and comedian Stephen Fry has shocked fans by admitting that he tried to commit suicide last year while filming overseas.

Fry, who suffers from manic depression which causes his mood to swing between euphoria and deep depression, said he was only saved because his producer found him unconscious in a hotel room.

Fry said he decided to speak out because he believed his role as president of mental health charity Mind compelled him "not to be shy and [to be] forthcoming about ... the likelihood of death amongst people [with] certain mood disorders."

Speaking of manic depression, he said: "I have a condition which requires me to take medication so that I don't get either too hyper or too depressed to the point of suicide."

Samaritans is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website.