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She’s been making us laugh for decades, but there’s a more serious side to actress turned mental health campaigner Ruby Wax…
American comedian and actress Ruby Wax began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Seventies, before working in television for 25 years, including as a script editor for Absolutely
Fabulous. An interest in mental health grew after she experienced depression, which she has written about in her books – including her latest, I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was, which describes how she had to check into a mental health clinic in 2022. Ruby is married to director Ed Bye,with whom she shares three grown-up children, Max, Maddy and Marina.
Hi Ruby. Do you have big plans for the year? Will you be on tour?
Yes – all over the UK. I do talks usually about what it takes to de-frazzle yourself, which is my expertise. I also have to start my next book or my travelling will dry up due to lack of funds.
You mentioned in your book that you had another bout of depression and were admitted to a clinic. How are you now?
When I’m not depressed, I’m myself. Depression is a disease, not a mood swing. If I was depressed right now I wouldn’t be able to speak to you. I want people to know that to have a mental problem is nothing to be ashamed of. If you had a physical illness you wouldn’t feel shame, so why such a stigma for a mental illness? People come up and tell me it was such a relief to read my books because I say what they’re thinking. I also make them laugh which is the greatest medicine.
Do you have a daily routine?
Well, I go to the gym doing weights or Pilates when I’m not too lazy and then I do daily mindfulness. I have to exercise my brain muscles otherwise they get flabby. And then I try to sit down and write a book, which is the most difficult thing on earth, but once you’re finished it’s like winning a gold medal.
What’s working for you in terms of mental health and keeping well?
Well, the mindfulness is obviously helping otherwise, I wouldn’t be teaching it or doing it. I’m aware when I’m hitting my tipping point from potential burn-out, so I know when to give my br
