Poet Hussain Manawer Becomes Kings College London’s Youngest Honorary Fellow
Poet Hussain Manawer (27) received an honorary fellowship from the prestigious King’s College London earlier this morning. Presented by President and Principal Professor Edward Byrne AC, held at the Barbican Centre, Hussain joined the faculty of social science and public policy students as he accepted the highly distinguished award.
He joins the exceptional list of King’s Fellows, which includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lord Attenborough, Lord Hall of Birkenhead and comedian Jo Brand. The fellowship comes at a time Hussain has just launched the UK’s largest mental health youth festival in partnership with Twitter #HussainsHouseLive and having recently set the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Mental Health Lesson.
Hussain has used social media platforms as well as educational institutes to spread his work, within the field of mental health. He has galvanised a huge magnitude of followers from across the world as he openly speaks and performs on topics such as bereavement and grief, whilst unpacking their relationships with depression and anxiety, along with tackling new age social pressures and cultural stigma.
“I put my heart and soul into everything I do because the journey of my own mental health has been an adventurous one, I just don’t want anyone to ever feel alone. I am very grateful to King’s College Londonfor recognising my work, this is a big deal I can’t lie!”says Hussain.
Professor Dame Til Wykes DBE, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, who works closely with Hussain also received a King’s College London Fellowship and added, “I am delighted and, of course, honoured to be made a fellow of King’s College London. The awards today have highlighted the importance King’s places on the impact on research, treatment and prevention of mental health problems in our community. It is such great company with Hussain reaching out to young people with his poetry.”
Hussain is a Samaritans Ambassador who has been working with the charity to reach young audiences on the importance of mental health.
Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Hussain is a true advocate for mental health and we love working with him and supporting his drive to get people to talk about their mental health.”
“He is a passionate, inspiring and talented young man who really deserves this prestigious award. His poetry and creative word, drives important and positive messages around mental health, that will empower anyone who is going through a tough time.”
Reaching a diverse audience ranging from presidents, princesses, professors and prisoners. Hussain’s work has also led him into supporting Oscar winning actress Cher, pop-star Ellie Goulding and sharing global stages with leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Kofi Anan and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Hussain Manawer is set to launch his debut single ‘Mama’s Kitchen’ on 10thAugust 2018.
