“As I became more queer without knowing what it was and people saw it and said you know you cant do this, or you cant do that. Or made fun it, didn’t necessarily say you shouldn’t do but poked fun at it. Therefore, making me uncomfortable with it. That was really the beginning”

Darkwah Kyei Darwahs shares how growing up battling themselves, in tandem with historical, cultural and social structures stopping them from being able to be themselves in the first place led to a period they describe as very poor mental health. Including depression, perfectionism and suicidal thoughts. Trigger warning – Darkwah speaks candidly about those moments which some may find upsetting. Darkwah also shares how their mental health affected relationships and intensified struggles to find self-acceptance and inner peace.

This is a deeply personal and authentic conversation with a true trailblazer who advocates for equality and understanding and works tirelessly to give voice to others. It’s also incredibly aspirational and hopeful, as Darkwah shares their struggles from a place at the other end. A place of confidence, acceptance and peace.

Be part of the conversation! Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show or you can share your own mental health experience.

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I sat down with Ryan Ridgeway, a renowned mental health first aid trainer and mental health advocate. He talks about his experience of Obsessive-compulsive disorder aka OCD. For Ryan, OCD presented itself with intrusive thoughts and unhealthy compulsions which eventually made him incredibly anxious. He talks about a lack of awareness and understanding about OCD and anxiety created a barrier to support. Living with unsupported anxiety and OCD, led him into a deep depression.

Trigger warning: This depression lead to Ryan to having suicidal thoughts which led to intentions which, over time, manifested in a plan to take his own life. 

Fortunately, he was able to access to support he needed and is now using his experience to help others. A thought-provoking conversation filled with practical tips and insights from a man that is committed using his journey to inspire others and challenge mental health stigma.

Be part of the conversation! Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show or you can share your own mental health experience.

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James shares his experience of high functioning depression, it’s physical and psychological affects, as well as the dichotomy between performing well and achieving goals, whilst experiencing debilitating depression and low moods.

The discussion provides an unfiltered view into James’s mental health journey through powerful and, deeply personal storytelling about his experience of abuse, grief and racism. Trigger warning – James also talks about suicidal feelings and actions.

He shares his experience of talking therapies, as well as championing the Samaritans and the impact these services have had on his mental health.

About James

With 15 years’ experience working in HR, L&D, Customer Experience, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I); I believe in showcasing passion for your work, developing people and that positive business relationships are key to success. I have transformed UK programs of learning & workplace culture. I have strategy & project led the creation/build of learning academies for technical training. I have worked internationally to re-introduce L&D work streams back into the UK. I have developed ED&I solutions (classroom based & digital). I have acted as the lead ED&I focus within an employee value proposition re-launch. I am the former BAME UK lead and founded the 1st BAME Steering Group & Employee Network within E.ON UK. I am a former member of the Inclusive Companies D&I Leaders consortium & founding member of the BlackLeaders.co.uk. I have coordinated ED&I actions across industry forums and received national award recognition for my work in this space. Visionary behind EPIC (Ethnic Populations, Intersectionality & Cultures). In 2020 I have also worked and become the Co-Founder of #spacetotalk; which is an ED&I lens/space focused on creating a better place to work & live, for future generations to come (pastoral support, information & guidance). ​

Currently:

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In a provocative and frank conversation, filled with humour and vulnerability, Matthew Shaw talks about his career, sexuality, social pressures and the importance of visibility, through the lens of mental health. He is unapologetically open with his views and observations which have been influenced by his work and his personal experience of poor mental health. Which, he describes as a period of “absence”, where the joy, fireworks and excitement disappeared from his life. 

About Matthew

Matthew is a BBC News editor, writer and mental health advocate. He was awarded the University of Michigan’s first Depression Centre Fellowship for his project about workplace mental health.

He served on the UK Government’s advisory committee and setting up a new mental wellbeing programme for all BBC staff and was recently named as one of the top seven men in the world breaking the mould in men’s mental health.

Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show or you can share your own mental health experience.

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Shortly after the 2012 Olympics, at the height of his career, Jack Green became severely depressed and suicidal. The pressures to perform, be the “superhero” associated with elite sport, and be a “role model" led to him burn out. 

The conversation sheds light on how he realised that mental health stigma exists at the age of 21 and how that exacerbated perfectionism he had battled throughout his life. He talked about the “armour” he wore to protect himself from negativity and failure in all areas of his life.  “I was always protecting a part of me.”

He shares his experience of therapy, and how giving voice to feelings and emotions is important. As well as giving yourself permission to feel and accept that being vulnerable is part of being a human being. A very frank, powerful,  and organic conversation.

Jack is the Head of Performance at Champion Health, an innovation in the workplace wellbeing space, that puts all employees in control of their wellbeing by using personalised and accessible resources/content. You can also check out OLYWEL for more information about how Jack is supporting organisations with employee wellbeing and performance.  @olywell/ @JackgreenOLY on social media

Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show or you can share your own mental health experience.

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Alex Holmes is a writer on spirituality, mentality, and emotionality, in the pursuit of wellness. He is a certified holistic health coach and trainee therapist that seeks to support men with their emotional education and healing. He is also the author of his debut book ‘Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection’ and the host of award winning podcast, Time to Talk with Alex Holmes.

Alex and I discussed Masculinity and he shared how societal pressures and ideologies of masculinity affected his mental health and his ability to truly connect to people in his life, as well as himself. He also talks to the broader impact traditional ideas of masculinity has on emotional wellbeing of men and women in different ways, and shares some insights into how we can all show up and do more to help everyone feel safe to navigate the world in an authentic way.

Alex also discusses how emotionality can help men to become more in tune with their thoughts, feelings and ultimately their actions, as well as sharing how emotionality is an important component for effective and supportive conversations about mental health.

An enlightening, entertaining and organic conversation with a man on a mission to help and support as many people as he can with the work he does. 

Social: @byalexholmes @mentellhealthpod

Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show or you can share your own mental health experience.

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I had the pleasure of sitting down with Adam Spreadbury, co-founder of the Bank of England’s Mental Health Staff Network and mental health advocate. He talked to me about his experience of depression, triggered by stressful periods in his life.

The conversation also covered the importance of support in workplace, shedding light on how small actions, adjustments and signposting can have a positive impact on all employees, and the importance of being able to bring your whole self to work.

Adam also talks about the power in learning to say no, in order to make more time for ourselves, and stay well. A poignant and funny conversation, with a trailblazer in the mental health space.

Check out the Bank of England's  "This is Me" Campaign/ Follow Adam on Twitter. Send me a message to be featured on a future episode here. It could be feedback about the show and/or episode or a sound bite from your own experience. 

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Raghav Parkash speaks to me about his struggles with pressure and self-esteem at a young age. He shares his experience of an eating disorder and depression and discusses the impact of imposter syndrome and toxic positivity on mental and physical health. The conversation draws to a close with Raghav championing the importance of acceptance and humanising mental health.

About Raghav 

As an Executive & Life Coach, Raghav specialises in helping high performing executives, professionals and entrepreneurs achieve their very best both professionally through their business/career & also personally. As a qualified & trained coached, Raghavs’ experience spans over 10 years working with, training & learning from some of the biggest names & organisations in the coaching industry. Raghav is regularly invited to coach/speak on the subjects of High Performance & Leadership for organisations and conferences including Prudential Insurance, The Natwest Business Hub, Kallo Foods, Aldermore Bank and the annual Women’s Economic Forum in Delhi.

Checkout his Website. He is also available @raghavparkash on all social media platforms. 

Join the conversation by sending me a message that can be featured on a future episode. Alternatively, follow @mentellhealthpod on Instagram and Twitter or connect with me on LinkedIn. 

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Take care, James.