This is a special series in which I will be interviewing 16 girls including myself about their experiences with Domestic Abuse to educate others on the signs and experiences, as well as the impact it can have on your mental health.

The reason it's 16? On November 25th the United Nations marked this period the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, starting on White Ribbon Day otherwise known as the International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10th which is World Human Rights Day. I wanted to use my platform to bring more awareness to DV, and interviewed 16 pageant girls from past queens to future queens each day.

Today I will be sharing my story, from living with DV as a child to experiencing it in later relationships. Remember that if you need help, please contact friends, family or if that is impossible there are helplines.

Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Refuge 

Today we take you to Scotland and talk to the amazing Sian who will be competing in the Pure UK finals next year! We discuss her mental health journey after being diagnosed with Epilepsy and other health conditions, and the affects it can have, as well as self care and doggies! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today Sian!

I spoke to Miss Wales finalist Rachel Stevens who has suffered with her mental health after competing in a high intensity sports environment. We discuss mental health at university level, friendships, how to seek help and the different types of therapy. Rachel has a masters in psychology where she focused on suicide prevention, and she is launching her own organisation delivering suicide prevention strategies to young people. Thank you Rachel for speaking to me and sharing your story <3 

Today's Mental Health Monday we talk to Jessica who is currently UK's National Miss Greater Manchester. We talk about how she found out she had anxiety from having a panic attack at college and needing the emergency services, and her journey from there. It was lovely to talk to Jessica and I can't wait to be there in March with her competing! 

I got to talk to my current Aspire to Inspire winner Katie who will be competing in the Young European International Miss finals next April where we talked about Mental Health and Anxiety. We talk about medication and how to cope, as well as dealing with change.

I hope this episode has found you well and that you are having a great mental health day, if you are not please reach out to a friend or do the things that make you happy, remember you are not alone 

Some Friday thoughts as I was thinking of all the things I needed to do and how everything was getting on top of me, it's nice to sometimes take time for yourself and take a step back. There is no shame putting tasks on the back burner to dedicate time to other things, as long as you are taking the time out for you, as that is what is important! 

This episode brings you the lovely Stephanie Fearon-Isle who is competing in Miss UK Rose, where we discuss living with an eating disorder, the after effects and having PTSD from it, and how that can also affect your mental health. We discuss lot's of amazing ways of helping and you might also hear our pets as well! 

Thank you for listening to this episode, make sure to give us a rating and let us know what you want to hear next. If you are struggling with your mental health, make sure to take some time out for yourself, check out MIND UK or The Samaritans, talk to others or book an appointment at the doctors to discuss your options. You are not alone 

Some Friday ponders about Mental Health and Exercise.

For me, exercise is so important for my mental health, and I talk about some of my experiences that have helped me. 2009 was one of the biggest breakthroughs for me joining a gym

This episode I interviewed Erika Jones who will be competing in the finals of FOEW Wales and North England finals, after placing first runner up last year. We discussed her journey into mental health, after suffering the loss of her grandfather and how grief can impact your mental health. We also discuss mental health with the elderly as Erika works with patients with Dementia and this is her pageant platform. Thank you so much for speaking to me Erika and a massive good luck for your finals!

Thank you for listening to Queen Chat's Podcast, I hope you enjoyed this podcast and let me know if there are any subjects you would like covered.

I interviewed the incredible Rachael Heslop who is currently the first ever UK's National Miss Newcastle, and will be competing in March 2021! We talk about her journey with mental health, from being signed off work for Anxiety, having social anxiety from her past interactions at school and being a parent to a non-verbal boy. 

I hope you enjoyed listening to our first interview on the podcast, we want to share as many different mental health stories and journeys from the world of pageantry. Remember that it is ok to not be ok, that there are people to help you and share that journey with you. We love you, your story isn't over yet.