News

World Mental Health Day each year on 10 October is a global opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.

This year's theme, "Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change", recognises the importance of listening to and learning from people who have experienced mental health difficulties. By sharing stories of hope and recovery and creating space for honest conversations, we can build greater understanding, encourage people to seek support and help create lasting change.

We're proud to mark World Mental Health Day to announce the launch of our new podcast, Room to Talk, coming soon.

Room to Talk has been created to explore mental health, champion the importance of wellbeing and connection, and to share experiences of recovery through open, honest and compassionate conversations. Bringing together clinicians, colleagues and people with lived experience, the podcast aims to reduce stigma, encourage understanding and remind people that nobody has to face life's challenges alone.

We recently recorded our first episode with Tom Chapman, founder of The Lions Barber Collective. Tom is an internationally recognised mental health advocate and will be our host for the series. Tom was joined by Will Ferdinand, Nursing Assistant and Expert by Experience, who shared his personal experience of mental health difficulties, recovery and the support that helped him through some of the most challenging periods of his life. Together, they explored the importance of speaking openly, asking for help, the power in recognising recovery is a journey and for Will, the steadfast companionship of his dog, Scamp. 

The episode, 'My Story, My Recovery', will soon be posted on our website, on YouTube and on Spotify. Please show Tom and Will your support and listen to the episode and share it with those who may need to hear Will's inspiring story.

Looking ahead, our next episode will be released during Men's Mental Health Month in November and will focus on the importance of men reaching out for support when they are struggling. The discussion will also highlight the help available through TALKWORKS, offering practical advice and encouragement for anyone who may be finding things difficult.

We hope Room to Talk will become a place where people can hear authentic stories, learn from the experiences of others and feel encouraged to start conversations about their own mental health and wellbeing. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is make room to talk.