Over the last few months of lockdown here in Powys in Mid Wales I’ve listened in to a number of great podcasts – both at home and at work. I don’t have a TV – there was no reception where I live when we moved in and we learnt to love living without it. But I still need to get my fix of entertainment and information.
Most of the time I’m a dedicated BBC Radio 4 listener – yes, an Archers fan! But then I started looking further afield… I found that podcasts are flourishing in these times. So, whilst we await more details of the roadmap out of lockdown it seems the ideal time to share some top mental health podcasts with a wider audience.
I particularly enjoy listening to podcasts at home during these dark winter evenings, perhaps when I’m doing exercises or the washing up. Or even just stretched out full-length on the sofa with the cat!
Tune in and see what you think – this is just a small selection of some great podcasts out there currently on the theme of mental health, wellbeing and the workings of the mind generally…
We can get through this – mental health & wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic
Tan y Maen is a community wellbeing centre based in Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd, North Wales. They offer support and resources to individuals, families, friends, carers and volunteers on any aspect of mental health and wellbeing all over North Wales.
During more normal times they offer all kinds of services, including individual and peer support, group support, Walking for Wellbeing, a variety of talking therapies and support for OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and addiction.
Since the start of the pandemic they have, like so many organisations, switched their support sessions online. And over the last few months they have also started a very popular podcast, which is now listened to far further afield than North Wales, with fans in the USA and Europe. The hosts are Eileen and Phil Griffiths – “Phil is the spotlight, he is the Chief Officer of Tan y Maen Community Wellbeing Centre.” The podcast features special guests from a range of professionals involved in supporting people.
“Our podcast is a bit of fun really, with a wellbeing theme around getting through the current issues with Covid and lockdown. It is aimed at providing a little interest and listening diversion, and much as we would in the wellbeing groups we usually run in South Gwynedd the content is informal, and puts across the message of wellbeing and improvement in mental health in an indirect way, using the personal experience of the hosts and the guests.” Link to podcast.
The Recovery Podcast – Hafal
Hafal is a member-led mental health charity based in Wales supporting people with mental health problems, particularly those who are really struggling with serious issues.
The Hafal podcast is brand new. In the first episode you can joins Hafal’s EIP (Early Intervention in Psychosis) staff Aaron Jenkins, David Jones and Aimee Williams discussing a range of topics on young people's mental health to mark Children's Mental Health Week and Time to Talk Day 2021. David also catches up with Hafal's Young People's Ambassador and Ospreys rugby player Lloyd Ash. Link to podcast.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation podcast brings a range of mental health topics, real life stories, expert comments and mental health tips to listeners. Episodes have covered men talking about mental health, mental health and the economy, improving the lives of young parents and their children, suicide prevention, nutrition and mental health, and how a damaging work environment can affect mental health.
Bethan Buswell is both 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. Link to podcast.
The Mad in America podcast is a weekly discussion that searches for the truth about psychiatric prescription drugs and mental health care worldwide.
There is a sister organisation called Mad in the UK with a mission to: “to serve as a catalyst for fundamentally re-thinking theory and practice in the field of mental health in the UK, and promoting positive change”.
Subjects which have been covered on the podcast in recent months include: Psychiatric drug withdrawal: setting the scene, Rethinking suicide prevention, Can we move towards Mindful medicine? and I found my lion’s roar: combining peer support & Open Dialogue. The back catalogue of episodes is immense – well worth checking out for anyone interested in finding out more about an alternative approach to supporting people in mental health distress. Link to podcast.
Mental – The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health
This podcast is brought to us by Bobby Temps and aims to break down mental health stigma and discrimination. Bobby speaks about how mental health distress can potentially affect anyone, so 4 in 4 not 1 in 4.
Each week Bobby is joined by a special guest. The podcast is a safe space to hear honest and insightful mental health interviews in the hope listeners will feel more empowered to continue the conversation, and debate the topics with others.
This podcast won The People’s Choice at the Podcast Awards in 2020. A new episode is published every Thursday, and as of today there are 179 episodes to choose from! Hours of really interesting listening covering topics from Stillness Meditation, to Trauma & Self Care, to Gender & Mental Health and so many more in between. Link to podcast.
Happy listening!
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