What is the Mental Health Foundation Podcast? This is the Mental Health Foundation podcast. A series in which we bring to you a range of mental health topics, real life stories, expert comments and mental health tips. Bethan Buswell is your producer and host. She has her own lived experience of mental health problems and with this podcast she and the Mental Health Foundation want to raise awareness, get people talking and provide support and hope. **Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe** ***Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide** What is this episode about? Series four, episo ..read more

In our fourth episode of this series we will be talking to you about body image, shame and mental health. Frances Shilito, a make up artist to the stars and eating disorders advisor discusses her experience of negative body image, anxiety and what society needs to do to reduce pressures put on young people today. Our expert Antonis Kousoulis will then discuss the findings of our UK wide ‘Body image survey and report’. Danny Bowman then talks about his own experience of body image issues, shame and how this manifested in an obsession with selfies and poor mental health. Our expert Jane Caro the ..read more

Mental ill health and prevention. In our third episode of this series Bethan asks Dr. Antonis Kousoulis the BIG questions about mental health:-How has our view of mental health problems changed over the last 70 years? -What is the scale of the mental ill health problem we face today?-Why is the way we experience mental health problems so personal to each of us?-Why do we get mental health problems – how do external, internal factors and life events impact us?-Why are some of us at a higher risk of getting mental health problems than others?-What do we mean by we ALL have mental health?-Is ment ..read more

In today's podcast the Mental Health Foundation and British Journal of Psychiatry discuss the study “Personal well-being networks, social capital and severe mental illness: exploratory study”. This looks into people's well-being networks through trying to understand the narratives of individual's lives. The study aims to find out what is important to people when measuring 'wellness', in regards to both their physical and mental health. It looks to understand how individuals use their networks and connections to manage this. Looking at the people, meaningful activities and places and spaces tha ..read more

In our second episode of this series Bethan speaks to Julie Dunn, a research scientist at the University of Liverpool, about her ‘Sleep Well’ garden. She designed this for the RHS Flower Show while she was on sick leave recovering from surgery. The garden was inspired by the importance of sleep, looking after your well-being, and green space for sustaining good mental health. Antonis Kousoulis, Associate Director of Research and Development and Linda Liao, Digital Manager at The Mental Health Foundation have a discussion with Bethan later in the podcast about tips for getting good sleep and ho ..read more

In our second episode of this series: (Intro) we discuss social media and its responsibility to address content that may trigger mental ill health or suicide.(Main feature) We look into medication, weight gain and exercise in people experiencing psychosis or schizophrenia. (Close) We say goodbye to Stuart Hill, Digital Manager at the Mental Health Foundation before he heads off to start his new job. Stuart made the Mental Health Foundation podcast possible.*Trigger warning this episode mentions suicide*If you have been impacted by anything in this episode remember that Samaritans are available ..read more

In our first episode of the new year, we talk to Mark Rowland, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation, and Antonis Kousoulis, who leads our programmes work. Mark and Antonis discuss 2019 as being a year of change and how we can look after our mental health when change hits us - be it positive or negative change. We also discuss the Mental Health Foundation's birthday year and why a public health and prevention approach is the way forward for mental health.LinksBethan & Stu introduction:Instragram - "What will you do to look after your mental health in 2019?": https://www.instagram.com/p/BsID2 ..read more

On our latest episode, Stuart and Bethan discuss mental health at Christmas. In what ways Christmas can be good for your mental health, and what things can impact your mental health around this time of year. They speak to Ed Davie, Communities Lead at the Mental Health Foundation about how you can look after your mental health at Christmas through focusing in on your needs, setting boundaries, taking up volunteering and much more. Links:Tips on looking after your mental health at Christmas: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/you-and-your-mental-health-still-matter-christmasHow volunteering c ..read more

On our latest podcast episode, Stuart and Bethan discuss the stiff upper lip mantra, our Christmas appeal and our new report with ThriveLDN.Joining them, is co-chair of the ThriveLDN steering group, Jacqui Dyer and Ed Davie, Communities Lead at the Mental Health Foundation. Ed has led our community workshops across London, where we spoke to more than 1,000 Londoners about how we can improve the city's mental health.Links:‘Stiff upper lip bad for mental health, Professor Green warns’: https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2018/12/10/news/stiff-upper-lip-bad-for-mental-health-professo ..read more

In this episode Ben Norris chats to Bethan Buswell openly, frankly and honestly about his family and relationships, how he recovered when his life took an unexpected turn and shares day to day tips on looking after his mental health.~~~~Ben Norris is a poet, playwright and actor. In this podcast you will gain insight into his relationship with his father. How turning the spotlight on this relationship through his work helped them to develop.You will also hear about the dark period he went through after a sporting injury stopped his dream of becoming a long-distance pro runner. Ben will speak a ..read more