‘Mental health in the community’ is a series of six podcasts brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

What is this series about?

From 2016 to 2019 the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust ran the Mental Health Fellowships programme, funding individuals to travel abroad to learn more about how community-based solutions are being created to respond to some of today’s most pressing mental health challenges.

The Mental Health Foundation was the expert partner in this programme, helping to shape its aims, select the successful candidates and provide mentoring to the successful Fellows. In total, 59 Churchill Fellows were chosen to investigate best practice in 18 countries and bring back new evidence and ideas to create positive change in their profession, practice and communities in the UK.

This series of podcasts distils the key findings from this rich body of learning, and makes recommendations for policy and practice in the UK. Each episode focuses on an aspect of the Mental Health Fellowships’ overarching theme ‘community-based solutions’. There are also corresponding briefings for each of the categories below, available at www.mentalhealth.org.uk or www.wcmt.org.uk.

Episode 3: Creativity and Innovation: digital technologies

Who’s on the podcast today?

Trevor Barnes: Host, freelance journalist and BBC radio presenter.

Rebecca Cotton: formerly Director of Mental Health Policy for the NHS Confederation, travelled to Australia and the USA in 2017 to research approaches to using digital technology in mental health support.

Marcus Gardiner: a Software Developer and Management Consultant, travelled to the USA in 2018 to explore the use of digital technology to support good mental health in the workplace.

Dr Erin Hope Thompson: founder and director of The Loss Foundation, travelled to the USA in 2017 to research best practice in bereavement support, with a particular focus on the role of digital technology.

What is the episode about?

This episode features details on a wide range of programmes abroad that are using digital technologies to support people’s mental health.

Trevor interviews the three Fellows about the changing nature of the digital, artificial intelligence and machine learning landscape and the need for UK-based community mental health services to be attuned to these developments and learn from their ever-evolving applications across the world.

We hear about the Dinner Party, a worldwide network helping 20-and 30-somethings who have experienced bereavement. Individuals who have lost a close friend or family member are encouraged to sign up to 'the club nobody wants to join' where they are carefully matched with people in their area who have suffered similar loss.

Need support?

 If you need someone to talk to then Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. They are there to talk to, listen and they won't judge or tell you what to do.

 C.A.L.M.: National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling. Call 0800 58 58 58 (UK). They are available 5pm-midnight 365 days a year.

 For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258. If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support. Shout can help with urgent issues such as: Suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying, relationship challenges.