Former BBC television presenter Marcus Skeete has bravely broken his silence about a devastating mental health breakdown that left him unable to work for months, prompting him to launch a revolutionary new fund to support others facing similar struggles.
The popular broadcaster, known to audiences across the UK, revealed he was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety last year, a condition so debilitating it forced him to step away from his high-profile career entirely.
The Breaking Point
'I couldn't get out of bed for three months,' Skeete confessed in an emotional interview. 'The darkness completely consumed me. I lost all motivation, couldn't face work, and withdrew from everyone and everything.'
His honest account paints a stark picture of mental health struggles affecting even those in the public eye, demonstrating that depression doesn't discriminate based on success or visibility.
A Lifeline Through Therapy
Skeete credits professional therapy with saving his life during his darkest moments. 'Without that support, I genuinely don't know where I'd be today,' he shared. 'Therapy gave me the tools to understand what was happening and slowly rebuild myself.'
His positive experience with mental health treatment inspired him to ensure others could access similar life-saving support, regardless of their financial situation.
The Marcus Skeete Mental Health Fund
Driven by his personal journey, Skeete has established The Marcus Skeete Mental Health Fund, specifically designed to provide:
- Immediate access to private therapy sessions
- Financial support for mental health treatment
- Resources for those unable to afford private care
- Emergency mental health intervention
'If I can prevent just one person from experiencing the isolation and despair I felt, this fund will have succeeded,' Skeete stated passionately.
Breaking the Stigma
The former presenter hopes his openness will encourage more public figures to speak out about mental health challenges. 'We need to normalise these conversations,' he emphasised. 'Mental health issues are as real and valid as physical health problems, and we should treat them with the same urgency and compassion.'
His initiative has already garnered support from mental health charities and fellow broadcasters who applaud his courage in turning personal struggle into meaningful community support.
