Proud to be linked with Heads Up!

Television actor David Proud left behind his seriously brainy EastEnders character Adam Best in July and helped to back the regional salon campaign Heads Up! to stamp out mental health stigma.

Smiling and joking, David enjoyed a cut and finish of the hairdressing kind at a Peterborough salon where he was supporting the campaign to encourage people to talk more openly about mental health.

Heads Up! is part of the national Time To Change campaign and the Whittlesey actor donned a promotional T-shirt and relaxed for a change of scene at the styling hands of Liza Schwarz, director of Spencer’s salon in Lincoln Road, which joined the campaign last week.

David has spina bifida and is challenging stereotypes and attitudes while developing his career as a disabled actor. He believes similar issues face people who have mental illness – which can range from quite common anxiety and depression 
to more serious illness like schizophrenia.

"People come into hair salons and chat about all sorts of personal things so to develop this, with the backing of the Trust’s campaign and information from Time To Change, should lead to more awareness about mental health. I think it’s a great idea," he said.

"We all need time and good listeners to talk about challenges in our lives. I want to see a time when disabled acting will be considered mainstream – when producers will think of writing disabled people into scripts because those lives are part of everyday society – it’s the same with mental illness, it’s a matter of balance."

It was also an opportunity for the 27-year-old to change the haircut he has sported for a year as Adam, the alter ego he describes as ‘spiky and strong’, who is about to leave EastEnders.

"I haven’t been able to do much with my hair because of continuity for the part of Adam," said David, who originally had a contract for 14 episodes but ‘survived’ much longer. "Now I could go wild and have something shaved into the back of my head, but I like it long so I’ll leave it and just have a bit more style to it."

Although sworn to secrecy on how Adam leaves EastEnders, David said: "I really enjoyed filming my final scenes and I can't wait to see it on screen!"

Spencer’s is just one of 5,000 salons supporting Heads Up! across six counties in the NHS East of England but any salon in the regional can take part. If your salon has not been contacted yet, call Heads Up! Area Campaign Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, on 07798781367

Want to know more?

Go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

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