Frank Bruno: From Darkness to City Honour

Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno MBE was recently awarded the Freedom of the City of London. This significant honor recognizes his courageous public discussion of mental health issues and his subsequent recovery. Bruno, who was sectioned in the early 2000s and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, has become an advocate for mental well-being.

Bruno detailed the profound challenges he faced, including hospitalization under the Mental Health Act and difficult recovery processes involving medication. He described the treatment he received as rough and dehumanizing, highlighting the stark conditions of his room and the struggles with other patients.

Resolutely fighting for his mental independence, Bruno eventually transitioned away from long-term medication. He found renewed purpose and stability by returning to rigorous physical training and boxing, leading him to establish the Frank Bruno Foundation to provide crucial support to others navigating mental illness.