Mental Health Monday

Thomas Dunning is the Mental Health Runner.

After a difficult time in his life following the death of his brother, Thomas  experienced psychosis, which affected him for a number of years, and left him feeling suicidal.

As part of his recovery he decided to put on his running shoes and slowly start to get back out to pound some pavements.

Now Thomas leaves #OperationSamaritan tags in prominent locations along his routes, to let people know they're not alone if they're struggling with their mental health.

More than 3000 tags have now been placed around the UK, by Thomas and other members of the running community.

Thomas shares his story with Mick Coyle on this weeks show.

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Full signposting at the end of the episode.

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Mick Coyle is joined by Phil Noon for this fascinating edition of Mental Health Monday.

Phil provides mental health training to businesses, schools, organisations and charities, and uses his own experiences, alongside things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to help people think differently about their thoughts and feelings.

The podcast explores how we can encourage people to make those changes, but also how we can "reach in" to support people who might need it most.

Find out more about Evolving Mindset and visit www.evolvingmindset.co.uk

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And don't forget to join the Mental Health Monday Facebook Group 

Welcome to the home of the UK's conversation about mental health.

Mick is joined by CiCi Reagan on this week's edition of Mental Health Monday.

CiCi talks about her six years of sobriety following her alcohol addiction, and how abuse and her family circumstances combined during her teenage years to create an environment where her drinking began and later escalated.

Now living in the UK, but originally from the USA, CiCi now uses the written word to explore her own experiences, and help other people come to terms with theirs.

Her website is www.writetoheal.me

Further signposting to mental health services, and where you can get help is included in the podcast.

Also mentioned in the show, previous guest Simon Taylor's mental health themed EP "Survival" is out now, and is available to download here from Feb 4th

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Mick takes a look at statistics around the number of men coming forward to get help for Eating Disorders.

Stats from Beat show that during the pandemic, the number of sessions supplied to men and boys increased by 113%.

In this week's podcast, he's discussing the stigma and misunderstanding around eating disorders in men, and how it could mean the issue goes unreported.

Ed Emond and Thomas Pickford are our guests.

Ed is Beat's Deputy Director of Services, while Thomas is now a volunteer, sharing his story of facing an eating disorder which was diagnosed when he was 21.

Find out more about Beat on their website, and get more signposting in the episode.

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Mick Coyle is joined by the creator and star of Rambler Man - a new short film about dealing with and talking about depression through family connection, and the great outdoors.

Ewan Pollitt explores how his own mental health journey, relationship with his father and the love for his home county of Cumbria inspired him to create a new superhero for the big-screen - albeit one wearing a waterproof jacket instead of a cape.

Swapping VFX suites for the hills of the Lake District. Rambler Man shows how human connection and love can help people navigate difficult times in their lives.

The film will be appearing in festivals in the UK in 2022.

Find out more about the film on the Rambler Man website

Signposting to services is included in the episode.

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Follow host Mick Coyle on Twitter.

As #MentalHealthMonday marks its 5th birthday...

A new report from GoodShape shows mental health issues are the number one cause for UK staff absences in 2021.

More time was lost to things like stress, depression or anxiety than was lost to coronavirus.

Mick Coyle is joined by Nurse, and Clinical Governance Officer Suzanne Marshall to discuss where businesses are going wrong and how measures can be put in place to support staff effectively.

And he has some good news about our Iron Men project.

Signposting services at the end of the episode, and visit GoodShape's website for more information about their work.

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Happy new year!

The home of the UK's conversation about mental health returns for its fifth year!

Mental Health Monday starts off 2022 with a look at some of the traps you can fall into at this time of year.

Chasing the Stigma CEO Jake Mills is back for the second of our seasonal specials.

He and Mick Coyle discuss setting achievable goals, finding the right support, and knowing where to turn if things aren't going your way when it comes to your mental health journey.

They also look at the slogans that people share at this time of year, and how to make sure we keep them relevant and helpful.

Signposting services at the end of the Podcast.

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Artwork from Pixabay

CEO of Chasing the Stigma, and founder of the Hub of Hope, Jake Mills drops by for a festive edition of Mental Health Monday.

Mick and Jake discuss the traps we can fall into at this time of year, the expectations people place on Christmas itself, and how we can work periods of reflection into our regular routines.

They also share a laugh about receiving dodgy gifts and trying to get a bit of "me time" during the festive period.

Signposting services are included at the end of the podcast

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Christmas artwork image: Pixabay

This week, Mick is presenting some of the findings from Hits Radio Pride's investigation into conversion therapy.

Mick has been teaming up with HRP colleagues to take a deep dive into the issue ahead of the government's conversion therapy consultation coming to an end.

The government intends to introduce laws that will prevent people offering services that claim to change someone gender identity or sexual orientation.

As you will hear in this week's episode, the implications for the mental health of those affected are clear, and this episode explores the mental health consequences for those who've experienced conversion therapy now, or in the past.

You may find some aspects of this week's episode upsetting.

Additional contributions and interviews from Aileen O'Sullivan, Aaron Renfree, Phoebe Gregor and Alex Meakin.

LGBTQ+ support services Just Like Us, Mermaids, Galop

National Conversion Therapy Helpline: 0800 130 3335 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)

With thanks to Pete Price and Jeremy Gavins 

Mick is joined by actor Dean Gribble on this week's #MentalHealthMonday Podcast.

Dean's new short film Black Butterflies is inspired by his own mental health journey, tackling depression and suicidal thoughts.

The script of the film includes real life transcripts of his own therapy sessions from lockdown.

It's free to view, and you can watch it here.

Join the wider conversation on the #MentalHealthMonday Facebook group

And follow Mick Coyle on Twitter.

Signposting services are provided at the end of each podcast.