I want to add my voice to the positive public response to MP’s Charles Walker and Kevan Jones’ disclosures around their mental health issues, OCD and depression.  Even in a one to one counselling environment it is challenging to ‘get honest’ – to do it in a public forum with no control over the outcome, risking public opinion and popularity, these disclosures set an unprecedented example to us all.  Stigma is fuelled by secrecy and shame and is a fundamental part of the dynamic of many mental health issue in themselves: paranoia, fear of what others are thinking, a desperate need for approval are characteristic of many psychological disorders and an openness of individual experience from those in the public eye goes a long way to confronting the stigma and hopefully encouraging others to come forward and own their experience, and perhaps we even seek help. (See more on this story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18444516)