[Crimson Dynamo]

SIR – Mental ill-health is a disorder that needs professional help. Rational
sadness, as a response to circumstances, is not an illness, however. To
encourage young people to see themselves as mentally ill whenever they
may be unhappy is dangerous and can be harmful.

It would be so good to see the beautiful and undoubtedly influential Duchess
of Sussex perhaps extol and demonstrate the virtues of strength and
humour.

Marion Wilcocks
Beare Green, Surrey


SIR – Poor Duchess: the world at her feet and still she was so unhappy.

I am 81, in declining health, and my looks have long gone. I’ve been more or
less restricted to my home for a year.

A few weeks ago, I wrote in my diary: “Sometimes I feel a great black cloud
descend on me – utter despair.” I didn’t call my GP – she’s got enough to
cope with. I didn’t contact my son or daughter, as both have problems of
serious loss of income.

What I said to myself was: “You’re not in a war zone. You’ve money in the
bank, a husband, a fine roof over your head, warmth, telephone, internet,
plenty to eat, even Zoom and an iPhone. Get a grip, be determinedly jolly,
smile, laugh a bit – otherwise you’ll go under.”

I counted my many blessings. Could the Duchess not have done the same?


Val Stevens
Carnforth, Lancashire

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two interesting opinion letters to the DT on the thread subject