Mental Health Monday

Mick Coyle marks Children's Mental Health Awareness Week with an important conversation about reading.

He's joined by author of the "Sophie Says..." series Esther Marshall to talk about the value in sharing reading time with your children and the mental health benefits it can bring - to you AND your child.

Data suggests 52% of parents use books as a way of talking about their child's thoughts and feelings - do you?

Esther talks about her inspiration behind the series, and how losing her sister to suicide made her even more determined to create a resource that children, parents and schools can all use.

Find out more about the Sophie Says series

Follow Mick Coyle on Instagram, X and Linkedin - and get video previews of each week's guest on the MHM Facebook Page

Mick is talking about young suicide on this week's edition of the podcast.

His guests are supporting CALM's Missing Birthday project, by sharing their daughter's story.

Evelyn was just 15 when she took her own life.

Jenni and Jack speak to Mick as a new survey from the Campaign Against Living Miserably shows many parents wouldn't know where to turn if their children were struggling, and that the government should do more to support families.

You can watch the powerful video mentioned in the podcast here.

The article also contains more of the survey results, and a response from the Department of Health.

And find out more about CALM's C.A.R.E Kit

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Mick Coyle starts the year with the Mindfulness in Schools Project dropping by to discuss how mindfulness can make a difference to the lives of teachers, pupils and anyone who adopts mindful techniques.

Teacher drop-out and pupil absence are huge issues in 2025.

Mick is joined by Richard Burnett from the MISP to talk about the work they do in educational environments, and the impact it can have.

They also discuss mindful techniques, and bust some myths about what mindfulness can be.

Find out more about the Mindfulness in Schools Project

Follow Mick Coyle on Linkedin, Instagram and get video previews of each week's guests on the MHM Facebook Group

Mick is marking Christmas 2024 with a conversation with a returning guest to Mental Health Monday.

Alice Hendy first appeared in Ep 195, shortly after losing her brother Josh to suicide. She spoke of her plans for R;pple and how intercepting harmful searches can save lives using technology.

R:pple has continued to expand, and Alice tells Mick its now intercepted nearly 70,000 harmful searches since they last spoke.

At Christmas, services like R:pple are still required - but January can prove to be an even more difficult month to encourage people to look for support, as is discussed on this week's episode.

Follow Mick on X, on Instagram and on Linkedin. Get Video previews of guests on the MHM Facebook Group

Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Mick Coyle is joined by former doctor, turned ambassador for Doctors in Distress, Emily Fulleylove.

Emily is on the podcast to talk about her experience working for the NHS, and why she's so passionate about Doctors in Distress' urgent appeal to raise money to support their work in the coming year.

DID works by providing peer-based talking and listening services to healthcare professionals who're experiencing poor mental health - and the fundraising will go to making sure that service is there when people need it.

Find out more about the Doctors in Distress appeal

Follow Mick Coyle on social media via Twitter/X, Linkedin and Instagram, and get video previews of each week's guest on the MHM facebook Group.

Mick Coyle meets Ananya Sharma on this week's podcast.

After arriving in London from India, thousands of miles away from friends and family, Ananya experienced loneliness - and wanted to do something about it.

She opened the doors to her home to create the Home Café, where people in situations like hers could come together over a coffee and a cake.

Ananya and Mick are speaking as a new survey by Breville find 2/3 people regularly experience loneliness in their daily lives, with 28% feeling unable to reach out for support.

Ananya's journey is an inspiring one and I'm sure you'll feel differently about connections you've lost, or friends you'd like to get back in touch with after hearing the conversation.

Follow Ananya on TikTok

Follow host Mick Coyle on X/Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin and get video previews of each week's guest on the MHM Facebook Group

It's time to look at the big picture when it comes to mental health in this country.

To help Mick Coyle do just that is a new report from Centre for Mental Health and Mind, titled "The Big Mental Health Report: 2024".

It sets out the state of the country when it comes to mental health and paints a clear picture of the challenges we face - as well as offering recommendations on how to start solving those issues.

CMH Chief Exec Andy Bell is our guest - as we delve into the stats, and find out more about where we're going wrong, and what we can do about it.

Follow Mick Coyle on X, Linkedin and Instagram. You can also track him down on BlueSky and Threads under the name @MrMickCoyle

Get video previews of each week's guests on the MHM Facebook Group page

Journalist Mick Coyle is discussing the shocking statistics around suicide in the construction industry this week.

Stats from a new "Lost City" campaign show there have been 7000 deaths by suicide by construction workers in the last decade.

That's the equivalent of enough people to build 150,000 homes, three schools and a hospital - a so-called "Lost City".

Mick meets Joe Baker from Second City Screed Ltd to hear about life on the frontline for construction staff. Joe has his own mental health journey to share.

Then we'll speak to Gavin Crane from Band of Builders, whose work is all about arresting these numbers and preventing future deaths.

Follow Mick Coyle on Twitter/X, Instagram and Linkedin, and get video previews of each week's guests on the MHM Facebook Group

Wider signposting is provided at the end of the podcast

Journalist and Broadcaster Mick Coyle's award-winning Mental Health Monday Podcast turns its attention to life after suicide loss this week.

Sadie is on the programme to tell her story.

Tragically, Sadie's brother Alex took his own life in 2023, and she's been navigating a sense of grief and loss. We'll explore that journey, but also how her experiences have helped shape her own attitude to mental health, and how she hopes she can be part of a future without stigma and taboo.

Sadie mentions CALM in the conversation - the suicide prevention charity are currently fundraising through the latest Omaze competition, which you can get details on via their website.

Signposting to mental health services is provided at the end of each episode of Mental Health Monday.

Follow Mick Coyle on X/Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and get video previews of each week's guests on the MHM Facebook Group

Presenter and Journalist Mick Coyle is joined by CEO of CALM Simon Gunning for World Mental Health Day 2024.

This year's theme is mental health in the workplace, so Mick and Simon talk about the reasons businesses need to take this issue seriously - for social AND financial reasons.

You can read more about the benefits of encouraging positive mental health in the workplace, as well as links to resources for businesses and more on the Where's Your Head At? campaign for mental health first aiders in this article created by Mick Coyle

CALM are also partnering with Omaze in their latest competition to raise money for their live-saving services.

There are signposting links to mental health services provided at the end of each episode.