MENTAL health champion Ruby Wax gave an endearing and inspiring talk in Reading this week following the release of her latest book.

The comedian and author encouraged members of the audience to speak openly about their own wellbeing and offered advice to the dozens of fans who turned out.

She attracted a big crowd to Waterstones on Thursday, as she took part in a book signing for 'How To Be Human: The Manual'.

Having earned an OBE for services to mental health in 2015, she released 'A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled' and established Frazzled Cafe's in a number of locations.

Ruby said: "There is so much frustration and burnout because we were not built for the 21st century.

"Mental health is certainly discussed more nowadays. We are creatures of addiction, but we have to understand that it is not our fault.

"I like that people say it has helped them."

After millions of years of evolution, Ruby says humans are the out-and-out winners of the real-life Hunger Games and should therefore be happy as a species. So why is it that so many people find it hard?

Inspired by her own struggle with mental health issues, Ruby has absorbed a great deal of knowledge on how the mind works and developed strategies to get through difficult times.

'How To Be Human: The Manual' features a unique balance of perspectives, pulling expertise from a monk and a neuroscientist.

The monk - Gelong Thubten - provides centuries of wisdom and the rational comes from Dr Ash Ranpura who has been active in brain research for over 25 years.

Ruby added: "The monk is the science of the mind, but also the way we think and how to regulate that.

"The neuroscientist explains where it is in the brain and he substantiates what the monk is saying.

"My personal stories are in all of the chapters. We understand each other's flaws and the monk I can really laugh at."

Anyone who thinks Ruby is just the comedic mediator between the two would be mistaken.

It was obvious during her visit to Waterstones that she has accumulated a significant understanding of this incredibly challenging and sensitive subject.

Of course, it would not be a Ruby book if there was not the odd joke thrown in, but there is so much more to her than her comedy background.

Fans may have seen her appearance on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' where it was revealed her great-grandmother had been taken to an insane asylum.

All this and more has influenced her to lead others through dark times and from one 30-minute talk at Waterstones, it was obvious she had the power to touch people in a meaningful way.

'How To Be Human: The Manual' is available to purchase from Waterstones online here.