Dame Kelly Holmes warns No 10 about mental health 'ticking time bomb' over cost of living
Exclusive:
The Olympic legend, who came out as gay in June at the age of 52, has also spoken candidly about his own mental health struggles, saying that she "had been through some of my darkest times". alone days'
Dame Kelly Holmes, as declared by the UK, is facing a "ticking time bomb" on mental health in relation to the cost of living crisis (
Image: Jonathan Buckmaster
Dame Kelly Holmes has urged No10 to step up support for mental health, after admitting the service faces £7billion in cuts.
And the Olympic legend has warned that the cost of living crisis is contributing to a ticking time bomb of trouble.
Two-time gold medalist Dame Kelly, who came out as gay in June, said she wanted to send a 'very clear message to our government' to increase support.
The 52-year-old added: "We are in a mental health crisis.
“Millions of people are struggling and far too many cannot get the support they need. And it is rapidly getting worse as the cost of living crisis sets in, especially for low-income people.
“Improving mental health must be a national priority.
Picture:
Reuters)“It must be at the heart of everything that is said and done. I want to see a commitment from ministers to release a mental health strategy as soon as possible. »
Former soldier Dame Kelly, who won gold in the 800m and 1,500m races at the Athens Games in 2004, realized she was gay at 18 after kissing a classmate . His family and friends have known each other since 1997.
Speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day on Monday, she told how bottling up her feelings left her suffering from bouts of self-harm and even contemplating suicide.
The former athlete said she's been in a happy relationship and has wanted to "scream" about her sexuality for years, but feels unable to speak openly.
Dame Kelly, ambassador for Nuffield Health, also shared how she suffered from "burnout" last year.
She said, "I threw myself into my work at that point because it stopped the constant voice in my head telling me to be honest about who I really was.
Exclusive:
The Olympic legend, who came out as gay in June at the age of 52, has also spoken candidly about his own mental health struggles, saying that she "had been through some of my darkest times". alone days'
Dame Kelly Holmes, as declared by the UK, is facing a "ticking time bomb" on mental health in relation to the cost of living crisis (
Image: Jonathan Buckmaster
Dame Kelly Holmes has urged No10 to step up support for mental health, after admitting the service faces £7billion in cuts.
And the Olympic legend has warned that the cost of living crisis is contributing to a ticking time bomb of trouble.
Two-time gold medalist Dame Kelly, who came out as gay in June, said she wanted to send a 'very clear message to our government' to increase support.
The 52-year-old added: "We are in a mental health crisis.
“Millions of people are struggling and far too many cannot get the support they need. And it is rapidly getting worse as the cost of living crisis sets in, especially for low-income people.
“Improving mental health must be a national priority.
Picture:
Reuters)“It must be at the heart of everything that is said and done. I want to see a commitment from ministers to release a mental health strategy as soon as possible. »
Former soldier Dame Kelly, who won gold in the 800m and 1,500m races at the Athens Games in 2004, realized she was gay at 18 after kissing a classmate . His family and friends have known each other since 1997.
Speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day on Monday, she told how bottling up her feelings left her suffering from bouts of self-harm and even contemplating suicide.
The former athlete said she's been in a happy relationship and has wanted to "scream" about her sexuality for years, but feels unable to speak openly.
Dame Kelly, ambassador for Nuffield Health, also shared how she suffered from "burnout" last year.
She said, "I threw myself into my work at that point because it stopped the constant voice in my head telling me to be honest about who I really was.
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