Episode 18:

We're straight talking music & mental health. We talk to singer/ songwriter and all round nice guy Col Patterson. Col tells us about his struggles with social anxiety when he was younger and the traumatic event of a "coward's punch" to the back of the head whilst on a night out. The impact the assault had on his mental health years after and the depression that is triggered on the anniversary of a suicide, where Col found the body of someone who completed suicide. We discuss our Smiles & Riles, Allan tries to convince Peter that buying a pair of Air Jordans is good for his kids and Allan is majorly riled by people hitting kids. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 18:

We're straight talking self harm. What leads people to self harm, how self harm is not just cutting or physical self mutilation. How substance abuse, eating disorders, punching walls, breaking things and excessive exercise also constitutes self harm. Where the person may be cutting and the difference that makes, the stats and research around self harm, techniques to help and what to look out for in people close to you. We push forward with #tellthemthanks, thanking people whose work we appreciate. We discuss our Smiles & Riles, the little things kids do have us smiling and people parking in parent & child or disabled spaces has us riled. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 17:

We're straight talking LGBTQ+. We talk to Killian and Conor from "Mind Your Mental Health" - discussing the mental health challenges in the queer community and their campaign to ensure that men of all backgrounds, race and sexual orientation are included in the conversation about mental health. We push forward with #tellthemthanks, thanking people whose work we appreciate. We discuss our Smiles & Riles, the small things make Peter smile, being a single dad gets in on Allan and both are riled by litterers and "anti-maskers". Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 16:

We're straight talking CBT. You down with CBT? Yeah you know we! How our thoughts affect our feelings which affects our behaviour. We look at the ABC of CBT, how it isn't the actual event but our perception of the event that dictates how we feel about it. We also talk about core beliefs, self fulfilling prophecies, the cognitive distortions of CBT and the internalised rules of "shoulds". We also chat about the statute of limitations on spoilers - spoiler alert if you haven't caught up with Quantum Leap in 27 years. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 15:

We're straight talking therapy. We're back! We discuss why there was no new episode last week. The difference between counselling and psychotherapy, how to find a reputable therapist, the cost of therapy and where you can look if finances are an issue. We also discuss what is and isn't covered under confidentiality, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, why you might be resistant about going to therapy and why Trump needs to see a therapist! Peter goes for the low hanging fruit slagging Allan about his age and some things never change as we go in on social media "influencers" dishing out mental health advice. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 14:

We're straight talking the impact of Covid on artists. We talk to ITF World Scratch Champion Ronan Carney aka DJ Flip. Ronan talks about the stress of not knowing when his next gig will be due to Covid19 - from worldwide to unemployed. The pressure to stay relevant as a DJ, the loneliness of touring, the reality behind social media posts and the self doubt that many musicians face about getting "a real job". Ronan also opens up about the death of his father and the emotional impact his best friend's suicide still has. Allan & Flip reminisce about Abbey Discs in Dublin, Peter has a birthday and Allan has beef with... Kelly Brook's dog?! Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 13:

We're straight talking work life. In the first of a new feature, we look at the impact of work on our mental health. We talk to Michelle Maguire from Vet Space Ireland. Michelle discusses the impact of dealing with the public, perfectionism, the pressure on younger generations and the contributing factors as to why vets are 4 times more likely to commit suicide. Michelle opens up about her own mental health, her initial skepticism about therapy and how it helped. We also discuss the recent spate of dognappings. The lads talk about lockdown for Kildare, Allan has a bad day and Peter has a beef with...swimming hats?! Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 12:

We're straight talking video game addiction. In this episode we discuss the criteria for video game addiction and why the criteria is flawed. How video games meet our psychological needs. Does playing video games for a long period make you an addict? The moral panic that has accompanied video games and if violent video games make us violent. We finish by talking about Allan's own research on video game addiction from his MSc dissertation. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 11:

We're straight talking depression. In this episode we discuss the symptoms of depression. New research showing some correlation between inflammation and how depression looks exactly like a physical sickness. We also look at the purpose of depression from an evolutionary perspective. We also discuss postnatal depression, the societal pressure on mothers and the struggles of new parents. We finish looking at what to do to help with depression. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]

Episode 10:

We answer your questions. Firstly, trying to deal with anxiety, going to counselling, friends not understanding and feeling depressed because of the anxiety. Second, being raped, friend dismissing the experience and the fear of reporting it to the Gardai. Question 3, being made redundant due to Covid, feelings of worthlessness for a man used to being the “breadwinner” and drinking too much to deal with it. Question 4, a toxic person in the workplace, gaslighting and the impact that has on mental health. We finish with the often unheard side of being a man in an emotional and physically abusive relationship. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or contact [email protected]