Stephen Fry opens up on suicide attempt and 'terrible' mental health struggles
Sir Stephen Fry candidly discusses his past suicide attempt, bipolar disorder and mental health struggles on ITV's The Assembly
Sir Stephen Fry has disclosed his previous mental health battles, admitting he "didn't want to live".
The distinguished actor and Celebrity Traitors star is participating in ITV's The Assembly, a distinctive interviewing programme that features a panel of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled interviewers questioning courageous celebrities, with no question forbidden nor subject out of reach.
Sir Stephen heads the notable personalities participating in the second series, following the inaugural season garnering widespread praise with Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker.
Blackadder star Sir Stephen explores subjects concerning his marriage, his mental health, his professional journey and his previous drug n during the one-off episode, which broadcasts on Wednesday.
Minutes into the programme, Sir Stephen was questioned about his previous suicide attempt, after he tried to take his own life in 2012, which he has candidly discussed in the years since, reports the Mirror.
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"Are you happy to be alive now?" one interviewer enquired on The Assembly, to which Sir Stephen answered: "I am happy to be alive, but it was a pretty terrible experience. I was in agony in my mind and didn't want to live but I can't bring back that feeling, so it's kind of alien, like looking at myself as another person.
"I compare it to, have you ever broken a leg or had a really painful injury? You know that you screamed in agony, but you can't make that pain come back to you now. You can't make your leg hurt again, and it's a bit the same with the mind."
When quizzed on whether he considers himself happy, Stephen responded: "I think so. Like a lot of people, I almost don't dare say that I'm happy, but that's stupid, because if you are happy, you should enjoy it."
Sir Stephen was also questioned about living with bipolar disorder, as a fellow interviewer enquired how he might help a family member with the same diagnosis.
Speaking candidly about his own journey, Sir Stephen revealed: "The first thing to realise is that it's an illness, not something that can be wished away, it is a real thing.
"It's worth thinking of it as being like the weather. The weather is real, you can't pretend it's not raining when it's raining. You can't say, no it's not raining, it's ridiculous, you're getting wet, it's really raining.
"But on the other hand it's also true that you didn't make it rain. The rain happens, it's not your fault it's raining, you shouldn't beat yourself up and say, 'Why am I like this, I shouldn't be,' that's like saying 'it shouldn't be raining'.
"It's not something in your control. It will eventually stop, it always has and it always will stop and the sun will come out at some point.
"That's what it's like with a mood disorder like bipolar, and it's difficult but it's worth remembering that it's not their personality, it's the weather inside them, and it will change."
The Assembly starts 10.05pm Wednesday 8th April on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player
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