Let's Talk: Mental Health

Gail Aldam, Manager of the Mental Health Foundation's Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF), tells us about the 10th year of the festival, explaining how it has become so popular and what we can expect in this landmark year.

You can find out more information about SMHAFF at https://www.mhfestival.com/

Writer and model Lily Bailey talks to us about her experience with obsessive compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD. Lily challenges some of the misconceptions around OCD - such as it's just about being tidy and that it's desirable in some way. She also offers advice for people who have OCD or know someone with it. She also tells us about her new book, Because We Are Bad, out now and available to purchase from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Because-We-Are-Bad-Thought/dp/0993040721

Manoj Kumar, talks about his work in providing community mental health care for the poor people in the Indian state of Kerala. He talks about the success of his project and the importance of community buy in, also offering lessons that the UK could take from the system.

Inspirational mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin talks about relationships and how they are key in his recovery from mental ill health. Jonny talks about his relationship with his family and Neil Laybourn, the man who persuaded him not to take his own life. Jonny also says how important small connections with strangers can be - you never know the good you can do.

Stand up comedian Dave Chawner talks about his experience of living with anorexia nervosa, how he manages it and how comedy has proved very cathartic for him.

In this podcast we'll look at how diet affects our mental health, and teach you some techniques to help make small changes to your eating habits and improve your overall mental and physical wellbeing.

In this podcast, we’ll look at how exercise benefits both your mental health as well as physical health and teach you some techniques to help you create and stick to a programme of regular exercise.

Presented by Dr David Peters, this podcast is intended to give the listener an introduction into how a good nutritious diet can help mental health.

This podcast is narrated by Jonty Heaversedge, one of the BBC's Street Doctors. He explains how everyone can look after their mental health using exercise.

This podcast is presented by Dr David Peters and gives the listener stress management techniques which can help relieve pressure from daily life.

Why not try noting down how you feel before and after the meditation, and see if it has a positive impact on your mental health.