If I was to receive a letter from an Oscar winner, there were a few possible British candidates, including Dame Judi Dench, who was born in York (and so was I), Dame Helen Mirren, and the person to whom I eventually penned my request: Emma Thompson.
 
There is actually a link between me and the dual-Oscar recipient, but it stretches the definition of “tenuous” to its very limit. I attended the same school as Emma’s husband Greg Wise (who was known by his actual first name, Matthew, at the time). From memory, he was one year below me, but as my ability to deliver a line was about as good as his at delivering a cricket ball, our paths never really crossed. But I mentioned it nonetheless …
 
Several months passed before a self-addressed envelope was nudged through the letterbox. It contained a lengthy handwritten note on a large postcard which featured a silhouette caricature of Nanny McPhee (the character first played by Emma in the 2005 film of the same name). I was both thrilled to receive the response, and moved by the emotion of Emma’s words…
 
Dear Richard
 
Thanks so much for your letter! Yes – I believe that mental health is just the same as physical health. We all have it and sometimes, just as in physical health, it needs attention / medication / counselling and all kinds of care. I think we’re very primitive in our fear of being labelled mentally unstable!
 
You’ll perhaps be relieved to hear that I’ve had bouts of depression and always talked about it – many people I know have suffered all kinds of mental pain and illness – but I don’t make a distinction between them and those who have broken their leg or developed cancer. It’s ALL CONNECTED. So great for you – brilliant to work for the recognition of something we all have – mental health, which is good/bad according to all sorts of reasons. Right behind you and sending admiration and good luck for the future.
 
With warmest regards and a big hug.
 
Emma Thompson + 2 Oscars!
 
One of the best of all the challenges...