Ruby Wax awarded OBE at Priory Hospital Roehampton

Ruby Wax, the American comedian, mental health campaigner and author, chose Priory Hospital Roehampton in south-west London as the venue to receive her OBE.

Miss Wax, who has received treatment at the Priory and performed her one-woman show about clinical depression there, was awarded the OBE for her services to mental health.

The ceremony was attended by a host of celebrities and endorsers of Ruby’s work, as well as close family and friends. Ruby was presented her OBE by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Mike Dudgeon.

Her OBE is an honorary British award for foreign nationals.

Ruby Wax, said:

“This is the happiest day of my life. I can't believe they were talking about me. I chose the Priory as the place to receive the OBE to celebrate the fact that the stigma around mental health is becoming a thing of the past. There's nothing to be ashamed of.”

Tom Riall, CEO of the Priory Group, said:

“We are honoured that Ruby chose Priory as the venue to formally receive her OBE. Her crucial campaign work has raised awareness of mental health issues across the globe and helped to reduce the stigma which continues to surround mental illness."

In 2013, Ruby obtained a Masters degree in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy from the University of Oxford. She became a patron for the British Neuroscience Association and has become a flag bearer for mental health issues, speaking at Downing Street to raise money for neuroscience research. Amongst other charity work, Ruby became an ambassador for Mind and SANE, has held open sessions for sufferers and set up dedicated social networking communities for mental health.

She has become a prolific author and speaker on mental health issues with appearances at TED Global 2012 and various UK National Health Trusts.

In June last year, she was appointed Visiting Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Surrey.

In 2013, Ruby published 'Sane New World: Taming the Mind', followed by 'A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled' last month, both of which are Sunday Times number one bestsellers. Later this year, she will be touring her new one-woman comedy show based on her new book around 23 venues across the UK, following on from the sell-out success of her Sane New World show throughout 2014 and 2015.

Priory Hospital Roehampton is one of 327 facilities run by the Priory Group, which treats around 30,000 patients each year for a range of conditions including depression, stress, drug, alcohol and gambling addictions, eating disorders, self-harming and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has established a reputation as a world leader in its field.