Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health Podcast

Episódios

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  S3E21 - The mental health of Green and Blue Spaces, with Ellie 07.08.2026 23min

  It's easy to assume that proximity to greenery or stretches of water (rivers, lakes, the sea) is good for your mental health.... Not so fast... Ellie dismantles some of Will's assumptions in this episode!They discuss Ellie's new PhD at the University of Cumbria, funded through an NIHR-supported Mental Health Leaders Award focused on mental health inequalities in Cumbria.Ellie’s research explores how disabled young people living rurally or coastally in Cumbria perceive green and blue spaces (parks, woodlands, gardens, seas, rivers, lakes) and other “third spaces” outside home and work/school as affecting their mental health and wellbeing.She critiques romanticised assumptions and lab-based or map-proximity studies that ignore access and infrastructure barriers, sharing personal experiences of feeling excluded from nature and reframing the issue as accessibility. 00:00 Welcome Back Update00:49 Podcast Return Intro01:25 Ellie PhD Overview02:30 Defining Green Blue03:19 Why Disabled Youth05:07 Nature Access Epiphany07:23 Research Questions Approach08:21 Critiquing Nature Studies12:55 Access Versus Proximity17:48 Romanticizing Landscapes20:45 Colonial Rurality Debate22:44 What The PhD Hopes24:15 Subscribe And GoodbyebOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E22 – Speaking publicly about your mental health, with Kema Sikazwe (Rerun) 26.06.2026 32min

  We are pleased to announce that we plan to start new episodes of Lively Minds again from next month!In the meantime, here is a re-run of another of our favourite episodes - this time from August 2023.Kema 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. You can find out more about Will and Kema’s work with Radio Film and the BBC World Service here.Find out more about Lively Minds at livelymindspod.comOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E21 - Learning Disability and Mental Health, with Paul Wilshaw (Re-Run) 05.06.2026 24min

  Hello everyone, it’s Will here. We are still in the process of resuming normal service, but we’re aware that today is the first Friday of the month so we’d ordinarily be releasing a new episode.We are really pleased we managed to get out 2 new episodes over the past couple of months; this month we are taking another dive into our archives and re-playing a conversation that Ellie and I had with Paul Wilshaw to talk about learning disability and mental health.Paul is a learning disabled artist, producer and advocate who works for Mind the Gap Theatre Company and we found our discussion, which covered the confusion between learning disability and mental health, and how the two interact really fascinating.Hope you enjoy the programme.Why 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 Mind the Gap Theatre Company. 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, Disability And…Again, we make quite a few references to websites and research in this show. Here are the links!The connections between mental health and learning disability according to Mencap and Mind.Some research suggests that learning disabled people are more than twice as likely to experience a mental health problem than the population at large: see results on Consensus.appDisabled people are more at risk of loneliness than non-learning disabled people: ses results on Consensus.appFollow @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 anyamedia.net/livelymindsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E20 - Will discusses how he is processing his sudden cancer diagnosis 24.05.2026 43min

  In late November 2025, Will was told that what was thought to be a lingering infection was in fact advanced testicular cancer.Within about 36 hours of being rediagnosed he had been admitted to hospital and was starting an intensive 12-week BEP chemotherapy regimen.Will describes shock, dream-like dissociation, fear of death, and the balance between trying to feel positive, hopeful and grateful for the support he was receiving on the one hand, with space to feel gloom, hopelessness and fear on the other.Will and Ellie discuss uncertainty, loss of agency in healthcare, the pros and cons of researching your condition and treatment, upcoming RPLND open surgery, lack of in-house NHS mental health support, communication problems with appointments, and how returning to everyday life can feel disorientating.Lively Minds is still following an irregular schedule but we hope to get back to our monthly show soon.UK cancer charities mentioned in this conversation include:Maggies - https://www.maggies.org/MacMillian - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Welcome Back Intro00:52 Cancer Diagnosis Shock05:45 Dreamlike Hospital Week06:47 Facing Mortality Numbers08:58 Coping Mindsets Shift13:15 Agency And Research19:09 Information Staging Debate22:36 NHS Pride And Problems26:56 Mental Health Support Gap31:40 Communication Breakdown35:00 Surgery Fears And Trauma40:01 Returning Temporarily To Normal Life42:22 Closing And ResourcesOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E19 - Random Acts of Crochet Kindness, with Olivia Dieterich 03.04.2026 21min

  Hosts Will and Ellie interview therapist and crocheter Olivia Dieterich about her book Random Acts of Crochet Kindness and the global movement she founded.After losing a friend, Natalie, to suicide, Olivia used crochet to cope with grief and set a 100-day challenge to crochet a flower each day and leave it for strangers with a note inviting them to take it home, sparking the hashtag.During lockdown, a found item was shared on a local Facebook group, leading to BBC coverage and the creation of a UK-based Facebook community now exceeding 350,000 members worldwide.Olivia discusses crochet’s grounding benefits, building self-esteem and purpose, supporting urges like self-harm, and creating “glimmers” of joy for others.The book offers beginner-friendly patterns, tags, guidance, and stories, and Olivia hopes to create a children’s version and more in-person meetups.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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Welcome to Lively Minds01:07 How Crochet Kindness Began02:23 Crochet as Therapy05:09 Why Giving Helps You06:28 Going Viral in Lockdown08:10 A Global Kindness Community09:59 Small Joys and Glimmers0:53 Inside the New Book13:23 Mental Health Lessons15:14 Community and Connection16:39 Letting Go of Projects18:24 Whats Next and Wrap UpOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E18 - Update + Illustrating Bipolar, with Matt Ottley (Re-Run) 11.03.2026 31min

  Hello everyone, it’s Will here.As you know, Ellie and I have had to take a break from the podcast due to some ongoing health issues. We are still hoping to bring you new episodes in late Spring or Summer 2026 but in the meantime, we thought we’d go back through our archives and bring you some of our favourite episodes from the 3 years we’ve been doing the show.And so, here is an episode from May 2024. Matt Ottley is a multi-award winning graphic novelist and composer, who was Australia’s nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen award. Matt joined us for a conversation about how he interprets his experiences of bipolar and psychosis through art, words and music. We focus on his book: The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness which had just been released at the time and you can find links to more information about, in the show notes.Just a heads up that there is a brief reference to a suicide attempt in the episode, but we don’t go into any detail.I hope you enjoy the show, and please do remember it would really help us out if you could rate or review us via your podcast app.You can find out more about The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by following these linksMatt Ottley’s websitePublisher: One Tentacle’s websitePlease 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.comOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  See you in 2026! 14.12.2025

  Hello everyone, it’s Ellie here.Thank you so much to all of you for following our podcast over the last few years. It has meant the world to us, and we’ve loved every part of the podcasting process so far.Unfortunately, due to various health issues, we are going to take a slightly-longer-than-planned break from recording new Lively Minds episodes. We hope to return to your ears for a new season sometime in 2026.Thank you again to everyone who has listened, subscribed, downloaded and donated to us so far - we are looking forward to picking things up again with you when we can. In the meantime, Will and I both wish you all a safe and warm winter, and we look forward to reconnecting with you when we are able to. Bye for now!Our content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E17 - Putting a patient-centred approach into practice, with Dr Alex Curmi 07.11.2025 41min

  What is a 'patient-centred approach'? What systemic challenges get in the way of making it a reality?What does the biopsychosocial model tell us about how to choose the best pathways for treatment?Alex Curmi, a consultant psychiatrist and trainee psychotherapist from The Thinking Mind Podcast discusses how he helps clients determine the best treatment plans based on a multitude of factors.He elaborates on his diverse experiences across various mental health settings and the importance of recognising biological, psychological, and social inputs in mental health. He also touches on the challenges and methodologies involved in acute and planned mental health interventions, patient-centred care, and the role of systemic integration in improving outcomes.The conversation highlights the need for a holistic, collaborative, and anti-tribalistic approach in mental health practice.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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:16 Guest Introduction: Dr. Alex Curmi00:44 Diverse Practice Environments 02:23 Challenges in Crisis Situations 04:52 Responsibilities in Patient Care07:39 Patient-Centered Care Approach21:59 Existential and Nihilistic Issues 27:41 Holistic Treatment Plans35:10 Collaboration and Integration in Mental Health41:03 Conclusion and FarewellOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E16 - How do we avoid overdiagnosis whilst respecting people’s experiences? With Dr Elspeth Davies and Dr Helen Salisbury 03.10.2025 32min

  In this episode we are joined by Dr. Elspeth Davies, a medical anthropologist from the University of Oxford, and Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP and BMJ columnist, about their BMJ article: How do we talk about overdiagnosis of mental health conditions without dismissing people’s suffering?Our discussion explores the fine line between validating patients' experiences and the potential harms of unnecessary diagnostic labels. We examine the influence of medicalisation, the role of diagnoses in accessing care and benefits, and the broad societal implications.The conversation also highlights the need for improved communication between doctors and patients and the importance of considering alternative approaches to understanding mental health issues.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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast00:20 Introducing the Topic of Over-Diagnosis00:27 Meet the Experts: Dr. Elspeth Davies and Dr. Helen Salisbury01:28 Defining Over-Diagnosis in Mental Health02:24 The Complexity of Diagnosing Mental Health Conditions04:39 The Role of Diagnoses in Accessing Support07:36 The Impact of Diagnoses on Patients09:48 The Debate on Over-Diagnosis and Medicalization25:52 The Influence of Pharmaceutical Companies26:26 Improving Conversations Between Doctors and Patients29:11 The Political Context of Over-Diagnosis31:03 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E15 - School and Mental Health, with Caro Giles 05.09.2025 28min

  In this episode we are joined by author: Caro Giles to talk about school and mental health.Caro has worked as a teacher across the education sector. She is winner of the inaugural BBC Countryfile New Writer Award, author of Twelve Moons, published by Harper North and writes a regular monthly column for Psychologies Magazine. Her latest book - Unschooled - published by Little Toller Books, is a memoir about her life as a single mother who was forced to educate her four daughters at home due to our underfunded school system being unable to cater for young people with special educational needs.In this episode we are going to discuss how conducive our current school system is for children’s positive mental health, the challenges that it can present for children with additional needs and what needs to change in order for school to become a place that supports everyone’s wellbeing.UNSCHOOLED is available in all good bookstores.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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds Our content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E14 - High Functioning Depression, with Dr Judith Joseph 01.08.2025 37min

  Depression isn’t just about a presence of sadness, it’s also about an absence of happiness. And whilst ceasing to function is a long-understood symptom of Depression, those that cope by never stopping aren’t necessarily in any less need of help. In this episode of Lively Minds we discuss High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher. Dr. Joseph, who is also the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research and the resulting book 'High Functioning: Overcoming Your Hidden Depression and Reclaiming Your Joy.' The conversation explores the distinction between high functioning depression and classic depression, the importance of early identification, and Dr. Joseph's innovative five V framework (validation, venting, values, vitals and vision) for cultivating joy and mental wellbeing. The episode emphasises the necessity of a proactive approach to mental health to prevent breakdowns and highlights the vital role of understanding trauma and anhedonia in managing depression.You can buy Dr Joseph’s book: High Functioning at all good bookstores or find out more by clicking herePlease 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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast00:16 Meet Dr. Judith Joseph01:15 Understanding High Functioning Depression03:23 Proactive Mental Health Approaches04:37 Defining High Functioning Depression05:38 The Role of Trauma in High Functioning Depression07:54 Identifying Anhedonia17:15 Listener Engagement Break17:59 Exploring Masochistic Behaviours19:46 Understanding People Pleasing and Trauma21:41 Masochistic Personality Disorder Explained22:27 Big T vs. Small T Trauma27:01 Coping Mechanisms in High Functioning Depression30:13 The Five V Framework37:11 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E13 - The evolutionary basis for anxiety, with Professor Melissa Bateson 04.07.2025 30min

  Professor 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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at  https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast00:21 Meet Professor Melissa Bateson01:04 Understanding Ethology and Human Behavior01:58 Evolutionary Basis for Anxiety05:43 The Smoke Detector Principle06:56 When Anxiety Becomes a Problem18:00 Biological Perspective on Anxiety Thresholds23:46 Modern Threats and Anxiety27:54 Learning from Animals29:26 Conclusion and FarewellOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E12 - Antidepressants, with Dr Alex Curmi 13.06.2025 48min

  We 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 SSRIsProf David Taylor about SSRI research, their effectiveness and side effectsMark Horowitz's website can be found hereWeblinks are provided in good faith and Lively Minds is not responsible for the content of external sites.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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comFollow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast00:19 Today's Topic: Antidepressants and SSRIs00:47 Guest Introduction: Dr. Alex Kmy01:52 Understanding SSRIs: Mechanism and Function 03:21 Hosts' Personal Experiences with SSRIs09:39 Debate on SSRIs: Effectiveness and Over-Prescription22:19 Effectiveness of SSRIs: Research Insights25:34 Understanding Antidepressant Effect Sizes25:49 Comprehensive Depression Assessment26:20 Exploring Treatment Options Beyond Antidepressants27:23 SSRIs for Various Mental Health Conditions28:47 The Role of Psychological Interventions29:46 Personal Development and Mental Health31:20 Debating the Usefulness of Diagnoses32:28 Personal Journey with SSRIs34:36 Stigma and Medication37:11 Modern Life and Mental Health39:57 The Mystery of How SSRIs Work41:22 Supporting Patients in Tapering Off SSRIs44:47 Alternative Biological Treatments for Depression46:05 The Future of AI in Psychiatry46:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  Sorry for the delay 06.06.2025

  Sorry for the delayOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E11 - Rethinking Happiness Part 2, with Professor Mark Fabian 02.05.2025 31min

  What 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 how mental health and happiness intersect, and why moving beyond self-optimisation might bring us closer to fulfilment. Mark's book Beyond Happy is published by Bedford Square and available to buy now by clicking here.Follow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links https://www.bio.link/livelyminds 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 show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com00:00 Introduction to Today’s Episode01:05 Beyond Feeling Good: A New Take on Happiness04:18 Wholeness, Fulfilment and Practical Wisdom09:31 Nihilism and the Search for Meaning15:58 Culture, Community and Belonging22:00 Mental Health, Self-Help, and Social Structures26:57 Concluding ReflectionsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E10 - Rethinking Happiness, Part 1 - with Professor William Tov 04.04.2025 27min

  What 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 how cultural norms can shape our understanding of what it means to live a happy life.Follow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links 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 out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode01:03 Defining Happiness04:18 Cultural Perspectives on Happiness16:00 Personality and Happiness19:31 Mental Health and Happiness26:19 Concluding ThoughtsOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E9 - Collective Care, with Charlie Fitz and Miss Jacqui 07.03.2025 30min

  In 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 examples of their work at https://www.triad.org.uk/exhibition/Charlie Fitz's website can be found at https://www.charliefitzartist.co.uk/ and Miss Jacqui's at https://www.missjacqui.co.uk/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 out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com00:00 Introduction and Content Warning00:18 Meet the Hosts: Will and Ellie00:36 Today's Episode: A Unique Approach1:45 Introducing Charlie and Miss Jackie03:08 How Triad Collective started05:07 Collective Care and Its Importance11:23 Boundaries and Respect in the Collective21:17 Creating Supportive Spaces25:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement29:35 Closing Remarks and Contact InformationOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E8 - Understanding self-harm, with Naomi Salisbury 07.02.2025 37min

  What 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 support are provided in good faith. Lively Minds is not responsible for their content.Self Injury Supportwww.selfinjurysupport.org.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sisupportorguk/Helpline: 0808 800 8088Doc ReadyHelp for preparing to go to the doctor to discuss something mental health-relatedwww.docready.orgStem 4Calm Harm is an app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm.https://calmharm.stem4.org.ukdistrACTIf you're supporting people who self-harm and your services are under strain, you can now provide easy access to wellbeing information, self-help tips and links to support with the award-winning distrACT app.www.expertselfcare.com/distract/ 00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast01:02 Understanding Self-Harm: Definitions and Perspectives02:03 Exploring the Reasons Behind Self-Harm06:10 Self-Harm as a Coping Mechanism11:30 Addressing Self-Harm: Approaches and Techniques20:31 Common Myths and Stereotypes About Self-Harm33:06 Final thoughts for those affected by Self-Harm35:33 Conclusion and ResourcesFollow @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 out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.comOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E7 - The shift to online peer support, with Ellie 07.01.2025 26min

  Ellie'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 the future of grassroots mental health care.You can read Ellie's full paper by clicking here.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.comOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!
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  S3E6 - Why is North East England so mentally unwell? With Alisdair Cameron 06.12.2024 27min

  North 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.00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast00:46 Mental Health Challenges in North East England01:11 Interview with Alastair Cameron01:36 Understanding the Mental Health Landscape04:09 Socio-Economic Factors and Mental Health06:01 Bespoke Approaches for Mental Health10:10 The Role of ReCoco18:22 Devolution and Mental Health26:07 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHere is the video Will mentions that talks about how reluctant London’s local authorities were to relinquish power to the London Region. 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.comOur content does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for seeking professional support. Signposting to resources can be found on our website livelymindspod.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching Lively Minds in your favourite podcast app.Please consider leaving us a rating or review, it really helps others to find the show!