My Possible Self

It’s coming up to 2 years since the first known case of the coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. Since then, the disease has spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic. 

Dr Hilary Jones is a well-known face on UK breakfast TV and can be seen almost daily advising the British public on health matters for Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. The ITV doctor has never been busier and more of a source of information and comfort to the nation than he has in the last 20 months. 

In this conversation about covid and the mental health crisis, Dr Hilary discusses the mental health impact of long covid, advises on how to best communicate with your GP’s receptionist to ensure you get an appointment to be seen (which due to the pandemic continues to be a major challenge) and explains why perspective and patience are still so important right now. 

While not considered a mental illness, burnout can be considered a serious mental health issue that leads to poor physical and mental health. Caused by excessive and prolonged stress, burnout takes its toll emotionally, physically, and mentally. The good news is, if you know what signs to look out for, it is preventable and curable. 

Katie Maycock is an anxiety and digestive health specialist and burnout expert. In this episode of the podcast, Katie breaks down the six stages of burnout, offers advice on how to cope with demanding work colleagues and pressure in the workplace, plus explains the effect stress has on the gut and why the key to better digestion is regular stress management. 

Depression can affect how you think, feel, and function in daily life. It's a complex mental illness that globally is estimated to affect 5.0% of all adults.

Alastair Campbell, the writer, broadcaster and mental health campaigner has battled with severe depression for most of his life, something that he explores in detail in his autobiographical book "LIVING BETTER, How I learned to survive depression." In this episode Alastair talks about his 'depression drowning drinking days', suicidal ideology, how his illness impacted on the family, Tony Blair's reaction to the full disclosure of his nervous breakdown and what tools and exercises Alastair has found to be the most effective to manage his depression and therefore, live better. 

Anxiety escapes no one but when it becomes disordered it can metamorphose into something quite sinister and debilitating. Joshua Fletcher has spent his entire career devoted to untangling the anxiety web and through his best-selling books, podcast, Manchester practice and legions of social media followers; helped millions along the way. With Gabby along for the ride, Josh breaks down the most common types of anxiety disorders and explains how anxiety doesn't have to be so scary, once we know where it came from and why it shows up. 

The term 'Mental Health' gets used a lot, but are we now in danger of using it inappropriately and too casually? Not everyone has a mental health illness, but we do all suffer from times of unease, worry, anxiety and stress.

Psychotherapist and a former NHS Clinical Lead in mental health Owen O'Kane offers a simple practical approach to managing your mental wellbeing plus recognising the signs when professional help is and isn't needed.

The globally acclaimed author of 'Ten to Zen' and 'Ten Times Happier' also offers advice on how to manage negative thoughts and step into a more positive perspective.

Host Gabby sits down with My Possible Self directors Hana Wilkinson and Fleur Stevenson to discuss why the sisters are so passionate about providing mental health support for all.