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S3 E2: Coronavirus pandemic and mental health

52m · Let's Talk: Mental Health · 29 Sep 18:11

What is the Mental Health Foundation Podcast? This is the Mental Health Foundation podcast. A series which brings 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**

Before we introduce the episode, we want to remind you that government advice designed to keep us safe during the Covid-19 outbreak is under constant review and will be different depending on where you live. Please remember to keep up to date via reputable sources. 

On today’s episode Bethan talks to you about the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on our mental health. We recorded this episode in early September 2020 when for many of us, we had been seeing a gradual easing of lockdown, children heading back to school, students back to uni and some people heading back to work. For some people this brought longed-for opportunities. But for many, even the happy, much anticipated changes were difficult for our mental health. And lastly, we are still far from knowing what the pandemic means for our society moving forward... 

So, on the show we want to explore these big themes – and Bethan has some great guests to help her tackle them. Firstly, she will be speaking to, Suba, a junior doctor who has been working in the Emergency Department of an NHS hospital in London during the coronavirus outbreak. Then Dr David Crepaz-Keay, who is the Head of Applied Learning at the Foundation. He will talk us through what has been happening with mental health in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Lastly, we finish with Bethan and Linda Liao, Digital Manager at the Mental Health Foundation sharing some tips on how we can look after our mental health during these uncertain times... Enjoy the show! 


We have created a coronavirus and mental health hub filled with advice on how to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. Find out more here: mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus

Who’s on the show today?
Bethan Buswell: Producer & host, Digital Engagement Officer at the Foundation
Suba: Guest, Junior Doctor
David Crepaz-Keay: Guest, Head of Applied Learning, at the Foundation
Bio: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/people/dr-david-crepaz-keay
Linda Liao: Guest, Digital Manager, at the Foundation
Podcast editor: Tim Butcher, filmmaker, podcast editor, writer, and producer
Website: timbutcher.co.uk/Podcast episode

Podcast links:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/coronavirus-mental-health-pandemic/

Find out more about the Mental Health Foundation:
Website: mentalhealth.org.uk
Instagram: instagram.com/mentalhealthfoundation
Facebook: facebook.com/mentalhealthfoundation
Twitter: twitter.com/mentalhealth

Get in touch with us: [email protected]

**Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe**

Helplines:
If you are feeling like ending your life, please call 999 or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.

If you need someone to talk to then Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. They are there to talk to and listen.

The episode S3 E2: Coronavirus pandemic and mental health from the podcast Let's Talk: Mental Health has a duration of 52:16. It was first published 29 Sep 18:11. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from Let's Talk: Mental Health

S4 E4: Self

Today we’re talking about self. About how the relationships with ourselves can help or harm our mental health. And tips on ways to build a healthy relationship with you.

**Trigger warning this episode discusses an eating disorder**

Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe

Guests on the show today? 

  • You’ll hear from Anna Archer. Anna is a 21-year-old successful content creator, podcaster and athlete who focuses on fitness, lifestyle and mental health. 
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Episode links:  

  • Healthy relationships information page: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/healthy-relationships 
  • Top Tips: Healthy relationship with ourselves: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/Top-Tips-Healthy-Relationships-with-Ourselves-Postcard.pdf  
  • About the MHF Young Leaders: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/programmes/families-children-and-young-people/mhf-young-leaders 
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  • Body Image and mental health information page: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/body-image  
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  • Top Tips for maintaining a healthy body image: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/body-image-and-mental-health/mind-over-mirror/feeling-my-mind 


This podcast is brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation. It is a space for our guests to discuss their personal experience and express their opinions. Our guests’ opinions are their own and are not an official stance of the Mental Health Foundation. 

Need support?  

  • Call a helpline: Samaritans are available 24/7 for free on 116 123 (UK) and whatever you’re going through, they’re here to face it with you. 
  • Text a helpline: If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support - but prefer to text than chat then reach out to Crisis Text Linet by texting Shout to 85258 (UK). 

Get emergency support:  

  • If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. There are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress. 

Find information online:  

  • The Mental Health Foundation’s support page. It’s filled with information on different ways to get help and access support for your menta

S4 E3: Childhood

Today we’re talking about childhood. About how the environments that we grow up in, and experiences that we have in our childhoods can shape us as adults and affect our mental health. 

**Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe**  

Guests on the show today? 

Alex: Guest, young person based in Derby 

Bhavan: Guest, young person based in Derby 

Jamie: Guest, young adult based in Ardrossan, Scotland 

Tyra: Feature guest from Leaders Unlocked, based in London 

Shelley: Programmes Manager, for Children, Families & Young People, Mental Health Foundation Scotland 

Episode links: 

  • Children and young people's mental health info page: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/c/children-and-young-people 
  • OCD info page: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/o/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd 
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences information: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html 
  • Preventing mental health problems in children and young people report: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/state-generation-preventing-mental-health-problems-children-and-young-people  

This podcast is brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation. It is a space for our guests to discuss their personal experience and express their opinions. Our guests’ opinions are their own and are not an official stance of the Mental Health Foundation. 

Need support? 
Call a helpline: Samaritans are available 24/7 for free on 116 123 (UK) and whatever you’re going through, they’re here to face it with you.  

Text a helpline: If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support - but prefer to text than chat then reach out to Crisis Text Linet by texting Shout to 85258 (UK). 

Get emergency support: If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. There are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.   

Find information online: The Mental Health Foundation’s support page. It’s filled with information on different ways to get help and access support for your mental health: mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help.

Meet the ‘Let’s Talk: Mental Health’ team:  

Jennie, Bethan and Tim pull on their own lived experience of mental health, their time working with mental health charities or services and their ability to connect with people to deliver an insightful podcast filled with kindness and support.  

Jennie Walker is the big talker (Podcast Host and Co-Producer). Bethan Buswell is the curious one (Podcast Co-Producer). Tim Butcher is the behind-the-scenes guy (Podcast Editor).  

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Trigger warning: this episode mentions suicidal feelings*

 **Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe**  

 Guests on the show today? 

Carol: Guest, retired person from Norfolk 
Calum Scott: Guest, multi-platinum singer-songwriter
Bex: Guest, young queer person from North Scotland 
Catherine Seymour: Head of Research, Mental Health Foundation 

Meet the ‘Let’s Talk: Mental Health’ team:  

Jennie, Bethan and Tim pull on their own lived experience of mental health, their time working with mental health charities or services and their ability to connect with people to deliver an insightful podcast filled with kindness and support.  

Jennie Walker is the big talker (Podcast Host and Co-Producer). Bethan Buswell is the curious one (Podcast Co-Producer). Tim Butcher is the behind-the-scenes guy (Podcast Editor).  

Episode links: 

  • Mental Health Awareness Week: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw
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  • Tips to cope with loneliness: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/loneliness-help-advice 
  • The Great Grief Trust: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org 
  • Calum Scott's latest music, tour dates and more: https://www.calumscott.com/ 


This podcast is brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation. It is a space for our guests to discuss their personal experience and express their opinions. Our guests’ opinions are their own and are not an official stance of the Mental Health Foundation. 

Need support?
Call a helpline: Samaritans are available 24/7 for free on 116 123 (UK) and whatever you’re going through, they’re here to face it with you.  

Text a helpline: If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support - but prefer to text than chat then reach out to Crisis Text Line by texting Shout to 85258 (UK).  

Get emergency support: If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. There are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe dist

S4 E1: Friendships

Today we’re talking about friendships. What they mean to us, how they impact our wellbeing, and how to nurture a healthy friendship. 

**Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe** This is the newly branded podcast from the Mental Health Foundation.

Guests on the show today?
Tyra: Guest, young person based in London
Jesse: Guest, young person based in London
Lauren McConkey: Project Manager, Higher Education at the Foundation

Meet the ‘Let’s talk: Mental Health’ team: 

Jennie, Bethan and Tim pull on their own lived experience of mental health, their time working with mental health charities or services and their ability to connect with people to deliver an insightful podcast filled with kindness and support. 

Jennie Walker is the big talker (Podcast Host and Co-Producer). Bethan Buswell is the curious one (Podcast Co-Producer). Tim Butcher is the behind-the-scenes guy (Podcast Editor). 

Episode links:
Relationships and mental health tips: Healthy Relationships Tips 

Coronavirus and mental health study: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/coronavirus-mental-health-pandemic/ 
[email protected]

This podcast is brought to you by the Mental Health Foundation. It is a space for our guests to discuss their personal experience and express their opinions. Our guests’ opinions are their own and are not an official stance of the Mental Health Foundation.

Need support?
Call a helpline: Samaritans are available 24/7 for free on 116 123 (UK) and whatever you’re going through, they’re here to face it with you. 

Text a helpline: If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support - but prefer to text than chat then reach out to Crisis Text Linet by texting Shout to 85258 (UK). 

Get emergency support: If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. There are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.  

Find information online: The Mental Health Foundation’s support page. It’s filled with information on different ways to get help and access support for your mental health: mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help. 

S3 E4: Mental Health in an unequal world

This is the Mental Health Foundation podcast. A series which brings to you a range of mental health topics, real life stories, expert comments, and mental health tips. 

Jennie Walker is your 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**

On this episode, we explore the 2021 World Mental Health Day theme, Mental Health in an Unequal World.

Tyra in London tells us what inequality means to her as a young person, how she and her peers are coping with the lifting of lockdown, and how she thinks society could better support young people overall. 31-year-old Freya in Edinburgh lives with ADHD and shares her experiences around access to mental health services, and of growing up as the only person of colour at her school and how that impacted her mental health. Lastly, we hear from Julie Cameron, who is Associate Director for the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland - Julie shares her expertise on the wider picture of equality, and talks about how we can all contribute towards a fairer society. Enjoy the show!

Who’s on the show today?
Jennie Walker: Host and Producer, Communications and Marketing Officer at the Foundation
Jennie's Bio: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/people/jennie-walker
Tyra: Guest, young person based in London
Freya: Guest, 31-year-old from Edinburgh who lives with ADHD
Julie Cameron: Associate Director for the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland.
Julie's Bio: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/people/julie-cameron

Podcast episode links:
Get into Summer project https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/projects/get-summer-2021 
Study - Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better - by Wilkinson and Pickett https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257664917_Richard_Wilkinson_and_Kate_Pickett_2009_The_Spirit_Level_Why_More_Equal_Societies_Almost_Always_Do_Better_Allen_Lane_London

Find out more about the Mental Health Foundation:
Website: mentalhealth.org.uk
Instagram: instagram.com/mentalhealthfoundation
Facebook: facebook.com/mentalhealthfoundation
Twitter: twitter.com/mentalhealth

Get in touch with us: [email protected]

**Remember to rate, like, review and subscribe**

Helplines:
If you are feeling like ending your life, please call 999 or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.

If you need someone to talk to then Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. They are there to talk to and listen.

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