Shows
Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E13 - The evolutionary basis for anxiety, with Professor Melissa BatesonProfessor Melissa Bateson, an expert in ethology, explains the biological functions of anxiety, its evolutionary importance, and how it prepares humans and animals to detect and respond to threats.The conversation covers the smoke detector principle, the optimal threshold for anxiety responses, and the potential impact of modern environments on anxiety levels.The episode also delves into how understanding animal behaviour can offer insights into human mental health.Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the...2025-07-0430 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E12 - Antidepressants, with Dr Alex CurmiWe take a deep dive into SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which is the most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant in the UK. We discuss with Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Alex Curmi what we know about the effectiveness of SSRIs, what we don't, and why there is so much debate about their use.Check out the Thinking Mind Podcast by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.Or you can find it on Spotify by clicking hereIn particular, you might be interested in Alex's conversations withProf Joanna Moncrieff about her skeptisim of...2025-06-1348 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastSorry for the delaySorry for the delay2025-06-0600 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E11 - Rethinking Happiness Part 2, with Professor Mark FabianWhat does it mean to live a happy life? Can happiness be more than just feeling good? And how might ideas like meaning, community, and values help us rethink wellbeing?In this second of a two part series, hosts Will and Ellie are joined by Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy. They explore happiness as something more complex than mood—touching on meaning, self-actualisation, nihilism, community, and the impact of culture and policy on our ability to live well. The conversation also reflects on h...2025-05-0231 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E10 - Rethinking Happiness, Part 1 - with Professor William TovWhat is happiness? How does it change across cultures? How might notions of happiness change for people with mental health challenges? What does it mean to live a “happy life”?In this first of a two part series, we revisit an interview from May 2023 with Professor William Tov of Singapore Management University. We discuss the broad and varied definitions of happiness, cultural differences in how happiness is perceived, and the role personality plays in happiness.The conversation also touches on the impact of mental health on happiness, the distinction between fleeting emotions and deeper life satisfaction, and...2025-04-0427 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E9 - Collective Care, with Charlie Fitz and Miss JacquiIn this episode of 'Lively Minds,' Ellie discusses the importance of collective care and mental health through a conversation with artists: Charlie Fitz and Miss Jackie.They explore how their artist collective, Triad, created during the Covid pandemic, became a vital support system for their well-being.The shared experiences of disability and creativity fostered a unique bond among them, providing a space for emotional support, mutual understanding, and collective care.They also offer insights on how others can cultivate similar supportive networks.You can find out more about Triad and see...2025-03-0730 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E8 - Understanding self-harm, with Naomi SalisburyWhat is self-harm? Why can it be so uncomfortable to talk about? How do we best support those who self-harm?In this episode of Lively Minds, hosts Ellie and Will explore self-harm with Naomi Salisbury, a consultant and former CEO of Self Injury Support. They discuss the varied reasons behind self-harm, its misconceptions, and the importance of compassion and harm minimisation.Naomi shares insights on support strategies, the role of lived experience in policy, and practical tools for seeking help - both for those that self-harm and those that care about them.Links to...2025-02-0737 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E7 - The shift to online peer support, with EllieEllie's just had a research paper published!In today's episode we discuss how can we learn from the impact that COVID-19 had on mental health peer support groups being forced to transition to online formats? Ellie shares insights from her research conducted at the University of Liverpool, focusing on the experiences of Hearing Voices Network facilitators.Key themes include the rapid shift to Zoom, issues of access to technology, changes in facilitator roles, and the dynamics of peer support. The conversation also explores the benefits and challenges of online peer support, digital exclusion, and t...2025-01-0726 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E6 - Why is North East England so mentally unwell? With Alisdair CameronNorth East England has the highest per capita use of antidepressant use in England and Wales and has had the highest suicide rate in England for 3 out of the past 4 years.We are joined by Alasdair Cameron, co-director of Newcastle-based independent mental health charity ReCoco, to explore why.We explore regional socio-economic factors impacting mental well-being, the inflexibility in mental health services between urban and rural areas, and ReCoco's peer-led initiatives to support those struggling. The episode also touches upon the potential for regional solutions through increased devolution and the need for community-driven support systems.2024-12-0627 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E5 - Art and mental health, with DollHow can art be used as a therepeutic tool to navigate types of grief that go beyond death and bereavement? This is just one of the questions covered in our conversation with Doll - an artist, who shares their story of using their artistic practice to navigate their mental health experience.Discussing their eclectic artistic practices—from sketchbooks to sculpture and crochet—Doll elaborates on how these forms of expression have helped them communicate their inner struggles, and become therepeutic practices in their own right.You can find out more about Doll and their work...2024-11-0135 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E4 - Our ingredients for good mental health, with Will and EllieWill and Ellie - co-hosts of the Lively Minds mental health podcast, discuss what their ingredients are for good mental health.Follow @livelymindspod on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsPlease note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find our more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com2024-10-0420 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E3 - The impact of separation for care-experienced children, with Ciara McClellandHow might the impact of detachment from their mother and birth family affect care-experienced children and young people's behaviour and relationships? And how can we support care-experienced children and young people to process their feelings? We welcome back to the podcast Ciara McLelland, who specialises in working with children and families impacted by adverse childhood experiences, to find out more about the impact of grief and loss on the brain and body. Ciara is a trainer from Trauma Informed Consultancy Services. For this episode, we are partnering with The Creative Life Story Work Podcast who are po...2024-09-0522 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E2 - Mindfulness, with Dr Afrosa AhmedWhat is mindfulness? What's the difference between mindfulness and doing things 'mindfully'? What does evidence about the positive impact of mindfulness tell us about the origins of our mental health struggles?We'll be discussing these topics with Dr Afrosa Ahmed, who has just written a book: "Mindful Healing, 5 Simple Steps to Transform your Life" published by Michael O'Mara Books.A practising GP in the NHS for over 20 years, as well as a Harley Street-based mindfulness coach, Afrosa launched life-coaching programme MindfulDoc in 2020.In her book, Afrosa shares her knowledge of how we can incorporate...2024-08-0224 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS3E1 - The film & TV industry and mental health, with Rupert Jones-LeeIn 2022, a survey revealed that only 11% of people working in the UK’s film and TV sectors considered the industry to be a mentally healthy place to work.As the latest iteration of the “Looking Glass” survey is launched, we speak with Rupert Jones-Lee, Head of Research and Impact at the Film & TV Charity, about the mental health challenges faced by those in the film and TV industry.We talk about the reasons behind these mental health struggles, the measures currently being implemented to address them, and the further actions needed to create a healthier work enviro...2024-07-0529 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastWhy we are changing our schedule to once per month ...Hi everyone, just a quick podcast update today.Ellie and I have decided to reduce the frequency of Lively Minds to once a month. The main reason for this change is that, as you know, we produce the show in our spare time, and maintaining a fortnightly release schedule has become challenging alongside our other commitments.We aren’t going anywhere! The next episode of Lively Minds will be released on the first Friday of July. Following that, new episodes will be published on the first Friday of each month.We also hope that moving to...2024-05-2202 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E8 - Illustrating Bipolar, through pictures, words and music, with Matt OttleyAustralia’s nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award 2024, Matt Ottley, talks to us about his new work The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness, which explores experiences of bipolar and psychosis through art, word and music. Matt Ottley is an internationally acclaimed and multiple award-winning neurodiverse artist, author and composer from Australia, with more than forty picture books to his name.You can find out more about The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by following these linksMatt Ottley’s websitePublisher: One Tentacle’s websiteFollow @livelymindspod on X, F...2024-05-0830 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E7 - Funerals and mental health, with Andy Jones“Sometimes, people just need to be really very sad together”In this episode, we will be talking with funeral celebrant - or ‘funeralist’ - Andy Jones about funerals and mental health. We ask Andy what ingredients he thinks a funeral needs in order to best support the wellbeing of those that have lost someone.We also discuss how, as someone who spends his life around death and grieving, Andy looks after his own mental wellbeing.You can hear Andy interviewed on the Cinematologists podcast by clicking hereHe will also be interv...2024-04-2436 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E6 - What is dramatherapy? with Ciara McClellandWhat is Dramatherapy? How does it work? And how can it help us make better sense of our mental health? In this episode, Ellie and Will chat with Ciara McClelland of Dream Together, who is a registered dramatherapist and social worker.We explore dramatherapy's application in both individual and group contexts. From facilitating personal healing journeys to shedding light on pressing social issues, dramatherapy emerges as a powerful tool for fostering self-awareness and collective understanding.We will also discuss how dramatherapy helps to reclaim the way we understand ourselves, leading to profound insights into t...2024-04-1023 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E5 - Uncovering unregulated therapy in the UK, with Phil Doré and Amanda WilliamsonDid you know, that in the UK, anyone - no matter what their qualifications or experience - can set themselves up as a counsellor, a psychotherapist, or indeed use any job title except for a chosen few that are protected by law?In this episode, we will be talking Phil Doré and Amanda Williamson about regulation - or rather, the lack of it - in mental health care in the UK.Amanda Williamson is a Senior Accredited Counsellor and Coach working in private practice. Following her experience of abusive therapy as a trainee, she joined Phil D...2024-03-2737 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E4 - Arts activism and mental health, with Vici Wreford-SinnottHow can the arts help achieve positive change for people with mental health problems?Who can get involved? What counts as “activism”? Writer, director and Disabled rights activist: Vici Wreford Sinnott returns to the show to discuss these questions. She highlight some of her favourite examples of mental health-focused activism and talks about how those with and without mental health challenge can work together to make society a more equitable and happier place for everyone.LinksMore information about the Feeble Minded Control Bill (which became the Mental Deficiency Act 1913) Follow @livelymindspod on X, Fac...2024-03-1343 min
The OCD StoriesThe Lively Minds podcast interviews Stuart, and Matthew Antonelli (IOCDF): Tackling misinformation about OCD (#423)In episode 423 Will Sadler and Ellie Page of the Lively Minds podcast interviewed myself (Stuart), and Matthew Antonelli of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) about tackling the misinformation about OCD. We talk about how misunderstood OCD is, why the media gets it wrong, the letting your intrusive thoughts win social media trend, educating a news outlet on OCD miseducation, educating clinicians, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/ocd-misinformation-423 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the U...2024-03-0338 min
Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E3 - Tackling misinformation about OCD, with Matthew Antonelli and Stuart RalphHow many times have you heard someone say “I’m being so OCD” to describe a random bit of preciseness or when they need to double-check something?Whether it’s newspaper articles falsely linking OCD to violent behaviours, unhelpful social media memes that perpetuate mistaken concepts of “intrusive thoughts”, or the names of brands which trivialise the experience - misinformation, and perhaps sometimes active disinformation, about OCD remains rife.OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is one of the world’s most misunderstood mental health disorders. For a long time, it has been portrayed in the media as a personality...2024-02-2837 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastPodcast UpdateA podcast update!Listen | Donate | Connectat www.anyamedia.net/livelyminds2024-02-2101 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E2 - Learning Disability and Mental Health, with Paul WilshawWhy is mental health and learning disability so often confused? How do they interact? Why are learning disabled people more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population?In this episode, we will be talking to Paul Wilshaw, who is Associate Producer at https://www.mind-the-gap.org.uk/. As well as being an advocate for Mind the Gap, Paul uses his own lived experience to be an advocate for learning disabled people. Paul is also presenter of Mind the Gap and Disability Arts Online’s podcast, https://disabilityarts.online/projects/the-disability-and-podcast/Again, we make qu...2024-02-0723 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS2E1 - What is 'Pure O' OCD (and does it exist)? With Stuart RalphWelcome to the first episode of SEASON 2 of Lively Minds!In this episode, we will be talking to Stuart Ralph who featured in what is currently our most popular episode of season 1, exploring OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.Stuart is a counsellor and psychotherapist for children and young people, who has lived experience of OCD, is the co-founder of the Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy and host of the very popular OCD Stories podcast which we recommend you check out.In today’s show, Stuart will be chatting to us about a strand of OCD kn...2024-01-2428 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E22 - Mental Health Hospital - (MORE of) your questions answered! (part 2)We asked for your thoughts and questions, and you did not disappoint! Thank you to everyone who contacted us. In the second of our 2-parter, Ellie will respond to your questions about her experiences both working in and being admitted to mental health hospital. If you haven’t heard our three episode miniseries on mental health hospitals you may want to go back and listen to that before listening to this episode. It begins at episode 15.Content notes:There will be one reference to suicidality and references to institutional abuse in a mental healthcare se...2023-12-2013 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E21 - Mental Health Hospital: YOUR questions answered (part 1), with Ellie PageWe asked for your thoughts and questions, and you did not disappoint! Thank you to everyone who contacted us. In the first of another 2-parter, Ellie will respond to your questions about her experiences both working in and being admitted to mental health hospital. The questions were SO good, that we’ve had to spread Elllie’s responses over two episodes - and the second will land in your feeds next week.If you haven’t heard our three episode miniseries on mental health hospitals you may want to go back and listen to that before listen...2023-12-1333 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E20 - Reconceptualising mental health through the social model of disability, with Vici Wreford-SinnottThe social model of disability offers a radical alternative to the way we understand our mental health problems.Rather than focusing on health problems as deficits or diagnoses, the social model asks what structural barriers such as lack of mental health care, access, discrimination and exclusion (whether intentional or not) affect people’s wellbeing.The social model of disability still values the importance of receiving good medical care, but refocuses our attention on what societal barriers disable people, and what role society has to remove these barriers so that everyone can be included, and feel valued an...2023-11-2928 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E19 - What is Clinical Anxiety? With Karen LowingerWhat is clinical anxiety? And how does it differ from everyday anxiety?We are delighted to welcome back to the show Karen Lowinger, who is a clinical psychologist from Panama. For fourteen years now, Karen has been working with teenagers and adults going through anxiety disorders, mood disorders and borderline personality disorder.She last spoke to us about high functioning mental health problems, which you can find at episode 5.In today’s episode we will be taking a deep dive into the world of clinical anxiety. We’ll begin by discussing what anxiety is, and...2023-11-1530 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E18 - Trauma and Neurodivergence, with Amanda MarplesWhat is the relationship between neurodivergence and trauma?In today’s episode we are chatting again to Amanda Marples, who is a writer, social worker and mentor with over twenty years experience in community mental health.She has written for numerous magazines, is the author of "The Healing Workbook" and operates a mentoring service for neurodivergent writers called Reconcile Creative.The last time we chatted to Amanda was in episode 14, when she spoke to us about trauma.If you haven’t heard that episode then we recommend you go back and have a li...2023-11-0128 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E17 - Mental Health Hospital (Part 3), with Ellie PageWhat are Ellie's hopes for the future of mental health hospitals in the UK?In the third and final part of this three part mini-series, Will chats to Ellie about her experiences of running creative workshops and events within mental health hospitals, how this differed from her time as an inpatient, and what her hopes are for the future of mental health hospitals.Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsPlease note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking...2023-10-1824 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E16 - Mental Health Hospital (Part 2), with Ellie PageWhat is it like to be an inpatient on a mental health ward?In the second of this three part mini-series, Will shall be chatting to Ellie about her experiences of both being admitted to and working in mental health hospitals.In the UK, a mental health or ‘psychiatric’ hospital or ward refers to an inpatient healthcare setting which specialises in the treatment of people who are considered to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental hospitals, or what were referred to as ‘asylums’ until the early 1900s have always been - and remain - contro...2023-10-0433 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E15 - Mental Health Hospital (Part 1), with Ellie PageWhat is it like to be admitted to mental health hospital? What does it mean to be “sectioned”? Over the next three episodes, I will be chatting to Ellie about her experiences of both being admitted to and working in mental health hospitals.In the UK, a mental health or ‘psychiatric’ hospital or ward refers to an inpatient healthcare setting which specialises in the treatment of people who are considered to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental hospitals, or what were referred to as ‘asylums’ until the early 1900s have always been - and remain...2023-09-2024 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E14 - Trauma, with Amanda MarplesWhat is trauma?In today’s episode we are chatting to Amanda Marples, who is a writer, social worker and mentor with over twenty years experience in community mental health. We will be discussing her new book: "The Healing Workbook". Published by Summersdale, this guide is designed to help people understand and deal with trauma.For more information on the DSM definition of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) click here.For more information on the ICD10 definition, click here.Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and more at https://ww...2023-09-0634 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E13 - Disability and mental health, with Professor Tom ShakespeareAre mental health problems a ‘disability’?We chat with Professor Tom Shakespeare about the relationship between concepts of disability and mental health. Tom is Professor of Disability Research at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He has taught and researched at the universities of Sunderland, Leeds, Newcastle and East Anglia, worked for the World Health Organisation, and authored several books including 'Sexual Politics of Disability', 'Disability Rights and Wrongs' and 'Disability - the Basics'.Follow us on Twitter and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsPlease note that this show does...2023-08-2334 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E12 - Speaking publicly about your mental health, with Kema SikazweKema Sikawe recently appeared in a BBC 3 documentary: Therapy: Tough Talking in which he gives viewers a front-row seat at a series of therapy sessions where he opens up and discusses his mental health challenges. Kema, who is also known as Kema Kay, is a musician, actor and broadcaster based in Newcastle. In this episode we talk with Kema about the pros and cons of talking publicly about your mental health, and what safeguards need to be in place to make it a positive experience.Therapy: Tough Talking can be found on BBC iPlayer here.2023-08-0932 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E11 - Decolonising mental health, with Dr Arya ThampuranIn a world dominated by Western approaches to psychiatric health, what does the non-Western world offer in terms of alternative interpretations of our mental health experiences?In today’s episode we are talking to Dr. Arya Thampuran, a researcher from Durham University in the UK, about her work focusing on how creative practitioners in African diasporic contexts express distress and healing in ways that challenge traditional Western views of mental health. Dr Thampuran’s work aims to go beyond the idea of distress as a disorder and explore alternative perspectives. She analyses various forms of creative expr...2023-07-2631 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E10 - Avoiding anxious situationsIs it OK to avoid everyday situations that make us anxious? Or should we always find a way to cope?For people with mental health problems, this question is particularly relevant. It may be that fears around a particular situation are linked to trauma, generalised anxiety or compulsive behaviours. No matter how much we rationalise that such fears are unfounded, we find it near impossible to allay them.Are there day-to-day situations that cause enough mental distress that they should simply be avoided - full stop? Or is developing coping strategies to face our fears always...2023-07-1233 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E9 - Comedy and mental health, with Hal BransonWhy do so many stand up comedians have mental health problems??In this episode, we chat with Hal Branson about the connection between stand-up comedy and mental health. Hal is a comedian and live comedy co-ordinator who has worked in the industry for over 12 years. He has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and his comedy has been inextricably linked with his mental health, both in the content of his material on stage and as a tool to deal with the condition.Follow us on Twitter and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsFind...2023-06-2835 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E8 (Bonus) Podcast Update!Wondering where this week's episode of Lively Minds is?Here's a podcast update!Follow us on Twitter and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsFind out more about our show at https://www.anyamedia.net/livelyminds2023-06-2100 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E8 - Ellie and Will reflect on the show so farOn this episode of Lively Minds, the Mental Health Podcast, Ellie and Will reflect on their most memorable moments from the conversations so far and discuss why they resonate.If you haven’t heard some of the episodes we discuss, don’t worry, we’ll provide enough context for it to make sense. We’ll also mention the episode numbers so you can go back and listen if you’d like to!Follow us on Twitter and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsFind out more about our show at https://www.anyamedia...2023-06-1434 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E7 - Faith, Feminism and Mental Health, with Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-SteenRabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen talks to us about how her feminism, spirituality and career in social justice have intersected with her mental health.We discuss the possibility of redefining our community-centred identities as well as what we might learn from those who have gone before us. Follow us on Twitter and more at https://www.bio.link/livelymindsFind out more about our show at https://www.anyamedia.net/livelyminds2023-06-0737 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E6 - What is happiness? With Professor William TovIt turns out that there is no one way to measure 'happiness' and what it actually means depends a lot on where we live in the world.In today's episode we'll be talking with William Tov who is Associate Professor of Psychology at Singapore Management University.Arguably, everyone wants to be happy - and people who experience mental health problems may find this more challenging than most. But what is happiness? We chat to Professor Tov about definitions of happiness and the varying meanings that this word has in different parts of...2023-05-3153 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E5 - High functioning mental health problems, with Karen LowingerJust because you can go about your day-to-day life doesn't necessarily mean that everything is OK. Welcome to the world of "high functioning mental health problems"In this week’s episode of Lively Minds, we speak with Panama-based Pyschologist Karen Lowinger.Will came across Karen when he stumbled upon an article she wrote for online publication: the Mighty, called "When you are too functional to have your mental illness taken seriously". You can find that article here Karen begins by telling us about her efforts to raise awareness about High Functioning Mental Health problems. Th...2023-05-2434 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E4 - Men's mental health groups, with Jake DunnSpeaking during men's mental health week 2022, mental health advocate Jake Dunn discusses his own mental health story, his involvement with men's mental health groups and what role volunteering and peer-support has in providing mental health care at a grassroots level.Male identity is different for everyone, and Will and Jake talk from the perspective of their own lived experiences about some of the barriers they feel might prevent some men from seeking help - as well as what initiatives there are to encourage them to do so.Then our conversation broadens out to ask what responsibility...2023-05-1737 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E3 - Does "mental illness" exist? With Dolly Sen"We will label you. We will punish you. And this is true of women in Victorian times who were labelled as 'hysterical'. [In the UK] being Gay was a 'mental illness' until the 1970s"Artist, poet, writer, activist, filmmaker and professional mischief-maker: Dolly Sen, joins us to discuss her own experiences and career, and why she questions whether ‘mental illness’ even exists.We talk about the current mental health care system in the UK, what needs to be done to improve it, and how humour and the celebration of ‘madness’ can be a powerful tool to engage p...2023-05-1041 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E2 - Why is OCD so misunderstood? With Stuart RalphWill and Ellie chat to therapist and fellow podcaster: Stuart Ralph about what is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of all mental health conditions: OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.Often misrepresented in popular culture as a ‘personality quirk’, OCD is in fact a potentially debilitating illness in which the sufferer feels compelled to reduce the anxiety caused by 'intrusive thoughts' through a cycle of further thoughts or actions. However, such ‘compulsions’ only feed these intrusive thoughts (or ‘obsessions’) leading to a vicious cycle that is difficult to escape. Contrary to popular belief, most people with OCD are not obsessed...2023-05-0351 minLively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastS1E1 - What is Mental Health?In episode 1 of our brand new series: Lively Minds: the mental health podcast, Ellie and Will ask 'what is mental health?'Drawing on their own personal and professional experience, they discuss how they frame and understand their own mental health challenges, the pros and cons of diagnostic labels, the difference between mental 'wellbeing' and mental 'health' and the problem with the prevalent 'self help' culture within mental health support.The episode transcript can be found here. Find out more about the podcast and get signposted to support services...2023-05-0324 min
Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health PodcastTrailer, Season 1Led by people with lived experience, Lively Minds is a UK-based podcast about mental health challenges that go beyond the ebb and flow of the everyday.Hosts: Ellie Page and Will Sadler present a show that is less about how we deal with our mental health problems, and more about how we understand them in the first place.In our first season, we will be talking with Clinical Psychologist Karen Lowinger about High Functioning Mental Health problems, therapist and fellow podcaster Stuart Ralph about one of the most misunderstood of all mental health conditions...2023-03-1002 min