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Speaking of Suicide (Adventurous Audio)

Explore every episode of Speaking of Suicide

Dive into the complete episode list for Speaking of Suicide. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–46 of 46

Pub. DateTitleDuration
20 Oct 2023Xani Byrne - Tandem Against Suicide in memory of Alice00:28:24

Episode takeaway: Everyone is different. Xani found cycling as his way forward but yours might be writing or journaling or walking or something else, work with whatever helps you to make sense of the grief of suicide.

Xani had planned that it would be his sister Alice helping him cycle his tandem but after she took her own life at the start of 2022 he decided to turn the back seat of his tandem into a way of both remembering her and helping others.

In the summer of 2023, on what would have been Alice’s 30th birthday, Xani set off to cycle 3500 miles round Great Britain by tandem inviting people impacted by suicide to take a seat, help him pedal but also so he could listen and learn from the sharing of their stories. 

Pennie caught up with Xani on day 80 of his 88 day journey to learn what he’s discovered about himself and those who’ve travelled with him on this challenging but enlightening ride.

Xani found Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide a particularly useful organisation and Rory O'Connor's book When It Is Darkest. If you want to find out more about Xani's fundraising efforts through Tandem Against Suicide click here.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

18 Jul 2024Kate Forbes MSP – juggling parenthood, politics and crippling post-natal depression00:42:10
“I got home and that’s when the sort of night terrors and the day terrors started. I was overwhelmed by fear for the baby’s health, I assumed I would be the person that would cause her pain and suffering and therefore it would have been better for me to be elsewhere”

Key takeaways from this podcast

  1. We need to normalise the conversation about post-natal depression without stigma or judgement.
  2. Post-natal mental health difficulties can manifest themselves in several different ways
  3. None of the conditions associated with post-natal depression mean that you are a bad mother or parent.

Kate Forbes MSP talks candidly about what she went through as one of the 1 in 10 women who experience crippling post-natal depression, something which left her with a deep fear of her baby daughter coming to harm. 

In this engaging and utterly honest conversation Kate talks about her expectations of becoming a mum and how the reality left her feeling like a total failure, out of control and unable to sleep for fear of something bad happening to her daughter, Naomi. Nothing had prepared her for the psychological turmoil of post-natal depression, she didn’t even realise that what she was experiencing was post-natal depression. Kate also shares how the experience has changed her as a politician, made her more compassionate and want to focus on mental health support across society.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

29 Aug 2024Paul Cameron – re-writing the story in your head through Tik Tok00:40:29
"I pulled into lay by, and I cried my heart out. I howled, I pleaded, I looked at the sky, looked at everything, and I was like, please help me. I need some help"

Key takeaways from this podcast

  1. It is possible to recover from trauma.
  2. When someone is struggling with their mental health don't ask "what's wrong with you?" Instead ask "What happened to you?"
  3. There is no one way to find healing for your mental health. Everyone is different in what they find helps.

Riddled with anxiety, struggling with depression and feeling suicidal, Paul Cameron started using social media as his superpower to shift his way of thinking about himself. By recording short regular videos and sharing them online, Paul has come to realise that exposing his vulnerabilities gives him strength and helps him be positive about the world.

After a chaotic childhood Paul struggled with life that didn’t lurch from one out of control event to the next. But parenthood meant he had to try and find clarity and calm in his head to be able to bring up his child.

In this episode Paul talks candidly about how Tik Tok helped him turn a corner.

Paul Cameron The Proud Dad on Tik Tok

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

17 Nov 2023Catherine Simpson – a love letter to Tricia, a lost sister00:46:06

Episode take-away: Find out what the specific thing is which helps you deal with losing someone you love and if you come from a world where silence is the norm, find a way to break it.

It’s coming up for 10 years since Catherine Simpson’s sister, Tricia, took her own life.  In the aftermath of Tricia’s death Catherine – who’s a journalist and writer – went on a quest, picking through Tricia’s diaries, to try and get a better understanding of who her sister was and why she decided to take her life.  The resulting book When I had a little sister is beautifully crafted, hugely thought provoking, at times funny and of course desperately sad.  Most of all its profoundly honest.

Catherine never thought she’d be able to write about Tricia, that she’d find it too hard, but the process of writing, when she came to it, felt like she’d spent time with her sister which was very healing and thought provoking. 

“In a way it was almost been like a joint project with Tricia to try and de-stigmatise mental health, to talk about suicide”

It’s a story of frustration and anger certainly, some of which is directed at the consequences of growing up in a rural community where feelings were never discussed and silence prevailed, but more than anything else it’s a story of deep affection “in a way it’s a love letter to Tricia…a loving memorial to her”.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

08 Sep 2023Rachel Smart – And how she escaped from a ‘life in the shadows’00:36:27

Episode take-away: The value of honesty and how to break the cycle of shame, isolation and helplessness that comes with addiction.

“We need to change how we view addiction so that people from all walks of life feel able to emerge from the shadows and seek help”. 

Open, brave, honest and seriously inspiring, in this episode Rachel Smart, a journalist and recovering addict, who’s battled with depression and suicidal thoughts over many years, shares her story and how she managed to turn life around, emerge from those shadows and get her life back.

For Rachel, her slide into addiction happened when she started working in a bar, mixed with a particular crowd and got regular access to drugs.  But, far from solving the depression which she’d been battling with for large parts of her life, her drug use made her anxiety and depression much worse.  

Rachel describes life as an addict as feeling “suffocating, overwhelming, a dark cave you couldn’t escape from, a failure”, she goes on to explain how ashamed she felt of not being able to get her life together.

Eventually Rachel moved to a new city and changed jobs but even then, her drug use continued.  Then, one day, she heard about an online ‘recovery room’ which she decided to attend and bit by bit, by listening to other people share their stories and listen to hers, she found hope and was able to make the decision to stop using.  After 2 weeks she stopped her drug taking and has now been clean for over a year.

Now she wants other addicts to know they’re not alone, not a failure and that there is help out there.

If you need support for addiction the following might help:

Addiction Counselling Inverness

Gamblers Anonymous

Cocaine Anonymous

Drug Addicts Anonymous

Marijuana Anonymous

East Coast Scotland Narcotics Anonymous

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

03 Nov 2023Gemma - an inspirational story of loving life after an eating disorder00:41:44

Episode takeaways: support makes all the difference and breaking the shame cycle means change can happen. Struggling with an eating disorder significantly increases your risk of suicide so don't struggle on your own.

Gemma's takeaway is “please don’t give up on yourself, seek support, reach out…it is possible to have a life after an eating disorder”

Gemma was very young when she started to struggle with how she felt about her own body.  What started as over exercising spiralled into a long-term battle with bulimia and eventually, she attempted to take her own life. This is a hugely honest and insightful deep dive under the skin of how isolating and shameful it feels to have an eating disorder.

Eventually Gemma managed to find the support of others and gradually turned her life around.  She says “recovery is not a straight line, its not easy” but recover she did and she’s now sharing her story with the aim of giving hope to others.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

06 Oct 2023Neve and Joanne Herron – a hugely inspirational tale of sharing from a Moray teen00:47:56

Episode take-away: how to build resilience in the face of bullying through drawing on your support network, asking for help, growing your confidence and your sense of perspective.

“He was the smiley one that everyone would go to for a laugh”

16 year old Neve lost a good friend to suicide when he was just 13, now, in a bid to inspire other teens to feel more able to share when they’re struggling and hopefully be less afraid of the consequences of asking for help, Neve is opening up about her own battles with depression and anxiety. 

Hearing from Neve gives a great insight into some of the barriers which stop teens from speaking out about their problems.  One of the biggest issues for her is fear of judgement, how you’ll be perceived if your peers know you’re asking for help.  She readily admits, however much the adults in her life provide support and an ear, “most of me is shaped by my friends”. 

Neve says a lot of her peer group worry that they’ll be bullied if people know they’re having mental health problems.  Neve herself was subjected to photos being taken of her and constant teasing and intimidation but now, having lost her friend to suicide, she’s worked hard to re-gain her confidence and is determined to reach out to others, so they feel less alone.

Joanne, Neve’s mum, also shares her worries as a parent of a teen in the digital world and the capacity for bullies to hide behind the keyboard. 

Hugely engaging and insightful, Neve talks with a maturity way beyond her years and provides a real beacon of hope, even offering an olive branch of empathy to the bullies themselves.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

12 Sep 2024Sheila Lockhart – reflecting on a brother through poetry00:47:09
"It's absolutely true that bereavement by suicide is completely different from any other kind of bereavement. And don't think you ever get over it."

Key takeaways from this podcast

  1. Don't assume that just because a family member may have been ill for some time, the grief and sense of loss is any less. It's not.
  2. Talking about grief and loss for some people is very hard and crippling.
  3. Find a way to get support that works for you if you are grieving.

Writer Sheila Lockhart shares some of her recent poetry collection, Brother, inspired by her brother, Simon, who took his own life 8 years ago after a lifetime of mental ill health.  Hugely bright and intelligent but reclusive and withdrawn, Simon shared little of his struggles of living with bi-polar. Despite previous suicide attempts, his choice to take his own life at the age of 62 had a huge impact on Sheila.

Moving, hugely thought provoking and beautifully written, Sheila’s work is a deeply honest study in grief and loss, and the ways in which losing Simon has haunted her.

Links: http://vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

01 Aug 2024Tom van den Hurk & David Barbour – Sharing stories of survival00:37:26
"When I was a teenager I just felt I couldn't carry this pain any longer, it was just too much"

Key takeaways from this podcast

  1. There is huge value in just pausing and taking a little while longer before taking any actions.
  2. If you stop and pause then hopefully you will find other routes out of your pain.

Every 2 hours a man in the UK takes his own life. Inspired by that appalling statistic, film makers Tom van den Hurk and Dr Isa Rao spoke to 3 men about their mental health in their compelling documentary film, A Little While Longer, filmed on Arran. In this episode Tom van den Hurk and David Barbour, who took part in the film, talk candidly about their own experiences of surviving suicide and the value of breaking down stigma through stories. 

Take away: Shona Macpherson talks about the value of pausing and staying ‘just a little while longer’, long enough to hopefully find other routes out of a place of pain.

Watch A Little While Longer here

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

22 Sep 2023Victoria Noone – A raw and painful account of the early stages of grief00:47:53

Episode take-away: The value of finding a vehicle to process our grief journey through suicide and why writing might be a good way to process pain.

Heartbreakingly honest and deeply thought provoking. 

Only a few weeks after Victoria lost her younger brother Sean to suicide she asked to share her experience of loss with us.  Victoria felt really strongly that hearing about the early stages of grief is important, so anyone else going through a similar loss could find someone they could relate to.  Throughout the episode we also hear some excerpts from Victoria’s diary – read by an actor.   Her writing is a searching, honest, raw and painful sift through the mass of emotions that come with losing a loved one to suicide.  Questions of why Sean made the choice he did and whether she could have done anything to change his mind continue to spiral round and round and are reflected in her writing and thoughts.

We’re publishing this ep on 22nd September, one year on from Sean’s death, in memory of his loss.

Credits: Victoria’s diaries are read by Ali Ellam

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

15 Aug 2024Georgia Bland – haunted by loss00:37:00
"He'd come into the kitchen, obviously, to eat his lunch, and something in his head thought, nah, like, just do it now"

Key takeaways from this podcast

  1. There are some risk factors that can lead to suicidal thoughts which can be identified
  2. Suicide is nobody's fault, there is no blame linked to suicide.

There isn’t a day that goes by that Georgia doesn’t think about her brother Callum and his profoundly shocking choice to take his own life in what seemed like a spur of the moment decision. Nothing had prepared Georgia for suicide and the impact it has had on her life is heartbreaking. An incredibly raw, challenging and emotional listen which brings into sharp relief just how painful suicide is for the loved ones it leaves behind.  

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or X. Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness IV1 1LR, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

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Speaking of Suicide hosting is supported by D and D Paving Ltd.

Speaking of Suicide is produced and presented by Adventurous Audio

11 Oct 2021The OnFARM podcast: Remembering Grant Brand00:39:52

In this episode of Speaking of Suicide, we're bringing you an episode of the OnFARM podcast. The news in February that East Lothian farmer Grant Brand had taken his own life left many in Scottish farming shocked and upset – and, of course, sending heartfelt good wishes to Grant’s family. This episode pays tribute to Grant, hearing memories and thoughts from his brother Jamie Brand. We also hear how Grant’s death prompted OnFARM's Monty and his friend Scott Brown to create the ‘We All Need a Farmer’ short film, that has now been shared hundreds of times on social media.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.
Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.
Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.
The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

09 Mar 2022Bastie Morrison00:45:44

In this episode Pennie talks to her oldest friend, Bastie Morrison.  Although they’ve known each other their whole lives, they’ve never discussed the fact that Bastie’s mum Jill took her own life when he was only 5 years’ old.   Bastie wasn’t ever directly told about his mum’s suicide – something he feels was seriously misjudged at the time – and it was only through piecing together what little he knew that he eventually discovered the truth. Bastie shares his story with extraordinary insight and compassion, talking about how, after all these years, he’s come to a place of understanding and deep love for his mum along with the ongoing sadness that he never got to know her.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

This episode of Speaking of Suicide is sponsored by MKM Building Supplies in Inverness with additional support from D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

07 Jun 2021Simon Greaves00:34:32

Simon Greaves is a Mountain Guide in the Cairngorms but for many years he worked as a manager in education.  Ironically, although his role as a senior manager involved supporting stressed and exhausted staff who were struggling with mental health, he found it incredibly difficult to speak up about his own mental health problems.  For 2 years he contemplated ending his life before everything came to a crisis point but, thankfully, instead of turning to suicide he turned to a very receptive and good GP.  It was a moment that turned Simon’s life around.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

28 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 4 ”Unhooking From Unhelpful Thoughts” Part 200:07:56

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona continues her tips on how to tackle unhelpful thoughts by guiding Pennie through how to deal with a particularly painful thought – the idea that she thinks she might not be a good enough mum.  Using a simple technique Shona shows Pennie how to put the thought into a much better context and stop having the thought dominate so much.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

01 Jan 2022SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 8 “The Self-Compassion Break” Part 200:06:34

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Having encouraged us to recall a difficult situation in the previous episode and acknowledge that it hurts, in this episode Shona talks us through how to think about being kinder to ourselves in response to emotional pain and practice the art of self-compassion.  She offers up some great tips on how to remember that we’re not alone in feeling emotional pain and then find a way to sooth ourselves.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

24 Nov 2021Alice Hendy - The R;pple Tool00:39:06

In this powerful and moving podcast Alice Hendy shares with Pennie Stuart how she still battles on a daily basis with the repercussions of losing her brother, Josh, to suicide just a year ago.  Alice admits it has been an emotional rollercoaster and at times she’s almost wanted to follow her brother, her loss has been so painful, but she’s turned her grief and desperate sadness into determination to help others.  Using her knowledge as an IT and cyber security expert Alice has developed a download, a practical and powerful intervention called ‘R;pple’ which steps in to offer advice and avenues of support if someone starts searching about suicide online. 

You can download Alice’s R;pple tool for free at https://www.ripplesuicideprevention.com/

Connect with Alice:

On LinkedIn

On Twitter

On Facebook

On Instagram

30 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 6 “Noticing, Naming and Allowing Emotion”00:10:48

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona encourages Pennie to explore an emotion and takes her through an exercise which helps her to think about how a particular emotion feels in the body.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

22 Apr 2021Trailer: Speaking of Suicide00:04:47

Speaking of Suicide is a series of frank, thought provoking and tough conversations about men and mental health.  Made in support of and in collaboration with the Highland based charity Mikeysline, as well as hearing from people who have either suffered from mental health problems themselves or have lost someone to suicide, Shona Macpherson from Mikeysline provides insight and ideas for how to recognise if you’re vulnerable and what to do if you’re struggling.

Speaking of Suicide is an Adventurous Audio production made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music throughout the series is ‘Nana’ by Tom Ireland

08 Sep 2022Gary Innes00:45:29

International Shinty legend, BBC Radio Scotland presenter and acclaimed musician Gary Innes was 16 years old when one of his friends took their own life. At school it wasn’t talked about, it was moved silently to the side. Over the next 20 years a further 5 of his Lochaber Shinty Club teammates would do the same thing. This horror shook not just the world of shinty, but the whole of Lochaber. It left Gary feeling frightened about what would happen next.

Today Gary is trying to talk as much as possible about his teammates and our mental health, about remembering it is ok not to be ok, that there is no shame, no stigma and there should be no silence.

Mikeysline and The Camanachd Association have started working together to raise awareness of mental health issues, and in this episode Dan Holland speaks to Gary about his six teammates and what he feels the world of Shinty should be doing to help further support players and their families.

Support or get help from MIkeysline

Gary Innes

Camanachd Association

This episode of Speaking of Suicide was sponsored by HSBC UK and is produced by Adventurous Audio the podcast platform is supported by D&D Paving Ltd.

 

 

 

24 May 2021Luke Stoltman00:39:08

One of the world’s strongest men, Luke Stoltman, pays as much time working on his mental fitness as he does on his physical strength.  Losing his mum to cancer taught him all about the importance of talking and sharing, opening up about your feelings and emotions.  He now gets up at sunrise every day and swims in the sea to help him keep mentally healthy, he also dedicates a lot of his time to helping others stay mentally fit and well.  Luke’s a Highland giant with extraordinary warmth and compassion who’s not afraid to admit that when he first when to see a therapist he was terrified.  An utterly engaging and inspirational man.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

21 Jun 2021Patrick and Wendy Mullery00:36:49

In this heartbreaking and breath takingly honest episode Patrick and Wendy talk about losing their son, James, to suicide.  They talk about the moment when Patrick found James and the devastating consequences of his death for the whole family, including his partner and their 3 young children.  Since losing their son, Patrick and Wendy have found solace in offering support to other people bereaved through suicide or struggling with their mental health through the James Support Group

As Patrick tells Pennie “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem for the person who takes their own life, it’s a permanent problem for everyone who’s left behind”. 

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

22 Sep 2022Mike McCarthy - The Baton of Hope00:36:49

Mike McCathy’s son wrote him a farewell letter. Ross asked his dad to campaign for better mental health support for people like him, people in need. That was all Mike needed to pick up the baton and devote himself to developing one of the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiatives the UK has ever seen - The Baton of Hope.

Dan Holland talks to Mike about Ross and the aim of The Baton of Hope to create a society where suicide and suicide prevention are openly and widely discussed. Where we inspire hope through action and support. Where we remove shame, stigma and silence.

Find out more about The Baton of Hope

Support or get help from MIkeysline

Speaking of Suicide is produced by Adventurous Audio the podcast platform is supported by D&D Paving Ltd.

29 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 5 ”Emotions As Allies”00:06:44

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona talks about our emotions, what they are, what their  purpose is and how we respond to them across our whole body.  She explains how emotions are calls to action but that we don’t always have to act on them.  She encourages us not to think about emotions as the bad guy and suggests we can change our relationship with them. 

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

04 Jan 2022SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 11 ”Our Future Self”00:04:46

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Shona talks us through an intriguing idea of standing in the future so we can look back at ourselves and how we solve today’s problems and struggles.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

10 May 2021Ron Williamson, founder of Mikeysline00:41:54

In this episode Pennie talks to Ron Williamson, founder of Mikeysline.  Ron talks about his shock when his nephew, Michael, took his own life and the conversations he found himself having with Michael’s friends at the funeral, a number of whom had also contemplated suicide.  Ron then set up Mikeysline with the view that men in the Highlands needed an alternative, somewhere they could talk to like minded people and, most importantly, somewhere they’d be able to safely talk through messages and texts, rather than face to face or over the phone.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

25 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 1 ”Just Press Pause”00:05:04

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Shona’s kicking off the series by suggesting we give ourselves permission to press the pause button more often, taking stock before we respond to the world around us, and explains some of the science behind why pressing the pause button can be really helpful.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember it's ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

03 Dec 2021Steve Phillip00:51:29

Jordan was a son, a brother, a stepson, a stepbrother, a loving boyfriend, a grandson, an uncle, a cousin and a best friend. He was tall and handsome and turned many a head, male and female. His friends both loved and envied him. At his funeral they described Jordan as; well-mannered, a great listener, kind and considerate, intelligent, cool but humble, ridiculously handsome, a true gentleman, humorous, “being a friend with him was never a chore”, “he was the person I would usually turn to at difficult times like this”, “he was the best and most loyal friend I ever had”, “He was remarkable in every sense”. 

 

In this powerful and compelling listen Jordan’s father, Steve Phillip, talks to Pennie Stuart about his shock and pain at losing Jordan to suicide in December 2019 and how he is turning his grief into energy and to ploughing that energy into the Jordan Legacy which aims to find practical ways of making a real difference to people who are vulnerable to suicide.  https://thejordanlegacy.com/about-jordan/

23 Aug 2021Annette's story00:34:43

It's less than a year since Annette’s partner, Bob, completed suicide.  Even though its still so recent and raw Annette felt really strongly that she wanted to talk about the events leading up to Bob’s death and just what the experience and aftermath of suicide feels like when you’re the one left behind. 

Even though Bob had a long history of mental health challenges and was seeking support and help, Annette never believed he’d take his life.  In this deeply moving, utterly honest and open account of what happened, Annette talks to Pennie about the harsh reality of life after losing a loved one to suicide.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

05 Jul 2021Mark Allen00:34:22

In this hugely courageous and touching conversation Mark talks to Pennie about how childhood trauma has left him battling with anxiety long into adulthood.  He shares how it got so bad that he contemplated suicide and took himself off to Glasgow with the intention of taking his life.  Since then Mark has worked hard to turn around his life, he’s found daily cold water swimming in the Cairngorms as a way of dealing with life’s stresses but he also devotes a great amount of his time to helping youngsters who are struggling.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin.

26 Jan 2022Katie Mackay00:36:53

Cromarty is s a small tight knit, highland community where everyone knows everyone else. Katie Mackay and her elder brother Calum grew up there , Calum was always seen with a beaming smile around the village, he’d speak to anyone, he was proud and protective of his wee sister. But Calum was hard on himself, judging himself against others. His death came as a complete shock to Katie and her family. It rippled hard through the community.

This episode of Speaking of Suicide is Katie’s story of how she has learnt to live with the loss of and grieve for her brother. Katie talks to Dan Holland on the beach in Cromarty about how she has felt the waves of emotion and grief come and go. She describes how she has felt herself move the different recognised stages of grief and opens up about some the tools she uses to help her through these stages of grief.

Calum still plays a big part in Katie’s life and we hear how he is remembered every time she takes her dog for a walk, how Katie has challenged herself to climb munro’s spreading the word that opening up and talking about our mental health with someone is a conversation we should all try to feel comfortable having.

You can support Katie's munro challenge here

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or visit Mikeysline at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is an Adventurous Audio production made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music throughout the series is ‘Nana’ by Tom Ireland

26 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 2 ”Eavesdropping On Your Mind”00:04:27

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona explains the value of paying attention to the chatter going on in our minds and provides some tips on how we can eavesdrop on our thinking so we can better recognise and understand some of the thoughts spinning round our heads.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember it's ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

23 Feb 2022Christo Hudson00:45:03

What would you say right now to someone, a friend, a family member if they came to you and said they felt that life wasn’t worth living? It’s tough isn’t it. Even harder if you’re not expecting it.

For this episode of Speaking of Suicide, Dan Holland is in Edinburgh to meet and go for a walk with Christo Hudson. Christo is a former commercial pilot.  When the pandemic took grip on our world and lockdowns became a way of life, like for so many of us, for Christo life changed very suddenly.

Today he’s a mental health first aid and suicide prevention trainer and it’s his story of going from the cockpit to the classroom that we can all learn something from. Christo describes someone opening up to you as them passing you a red hot ball. So today, we hear how to carefully hold and nurture that red hot ball you’ve been given.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

Christo Hudson’s Black Box Approach

12 May 2022Sandy Clunas00:44:31

At 18, Sandy Clunas left Nairn in the north of Scotland and headed off to Australia to become a windsurfing instructor.  In the following 10 years he travelled the world competing and teaching windsurfing, on the surface of it he was living the dream until it all came crashing down and he found himself in a very dark and difficult place, contemplating suicide.  In this honest, open and engaging conversation Sandy shares how he’s managed to climb back up and start to love life again. He talks about his new career away from water sports and about how he came to start a podcast The After Hours Lounge aimed at supporting more men to talk about their mental health. 

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

This episode of Speaking of Suicide is sponsored by D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

27 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 3 ”Unhooking From Unhelpful Thoughts” Part 100:09:04

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

We have thousands of thoughts each day, many of them the same ones and lots of them negative, so today Shona explains the value of learning how to unhook ourselves from unhelpful thoughts.  She talks Pennie through how to unhook herself from her concerns about the festive season and put her negative thoughts into a better place and take control over her thoughts rather than be controlled by them.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

31 Dec 2021SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 7 “The Self-Compassion Break” Part 100:03:24

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona talks us through the importance of self-compassion.  It’s not always easy to feel compassionate to ourselves so Shona shows us some ways to explore painful or difficult emotions and realise that we’re not alone in suffering them.  In this first part the aim is simply to recall a difficult situation and acknowledge that it hurts. Don’t forget to come back for part 2 in the next episode.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

29 Sep 2022Kev Stacey - Respite Rides with 42 Cycling00:56:21

In this episode of Speaking of Suicide Dan joins Kev Stacey from Inverness’s 42 Cycling to explore the benefits of the wide-open environment on our mental health. Former Black Watch soldier, Kev takes Dan on a #RespiteRide and along the way talks about his experience of being injured in Iraq by an IED.

The aftermath of the attack led Kev to struggling with his mental health and a gambling addiction. It was the power of the bike that helped him pull himself back from the dark places that came in the aftermath of his injuries.

Today, he is using his experiences and love of cycling to help other people with their own mental health. His Respite Rides are a way to widen your horizon, to focus on one thing, to find calm in the chaos.

To join Kev on a Respite Ride or find out more visit 42 Cycling

Follow him on Instagram

Remember it’s okay not be okay and MIkeysline is here for you if you need immediate help and support.

Speaking of Suicide is produced by Adventurous Audio the podcast platform is supported by D&D Paving Ltd.

20 Apr 2022Dylan Cathcart00:31:08

Pennie talks to Dylan Cathcart about how he managed to transform his life and ability to be open about his ups and downs after he decided to take the brave step of talking to a therapist.  In Dylan’s words therapy has been ‘a tornado of an experience’ but he’s really passionate about how it’s helped him, and it’s fuelled his hope that he can help others too.  As well as being open and honest about his own struggles Dylan’s set up a clothing company ACTIV3 Clothing which will help raise money for charities in the Highlands. 

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

This episode of Speaking of Suicide is sponsored by D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

05 Jan 2022SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 12 ”Self As the Watcher”00:08:23

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Today Shona encourages us to stand back and observe ourselves with more distance, watching our thoughts and emotions coming and going while learning to accept them and live with them, instead of seeing ourselves as defined by them.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

09 Feb 2022Matt Wallace of Clarity Walk00:34:18

A real story of hope this episode as Pennie Stuart and Matt Wallace, founder of Clarity Walk, take a walk and talk through Reelig Glen.  Matt talks about how a move to Glasgow left him isolated and increasingly depressed, so much so he became suicidal.  His mental health started to impact on his physical health, and he became locked in a circle of misery.  Thankfully Matt realised in time that he needed to make some dramatic changes, so he went on a digital detox, limiting his time on the phone and reconnecting with nature through walking.  The impact was huge and now Matt’s helping others to help themselves through his Highland based social enterprise Clarity Walk.

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

 

Matt Wallace's Clarity Walk

02 Jan 2022SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 9 ”Be Here Now” Part 100:07:15

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

When we’re in distress its really easy to be hooked by unhelpful thoughts, we’re often advised to be “in the present” but how do we do that in practice?  Today Shona talks Pennie through how to use her senses of sight to be in the moment.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

15 Sep 2022Russell Mullen00:52:44

Imagine you are a cancer doctor who starts to worry that you too have cancer but that worry then grows and grows into an all-consuming obsession. Every day, day after day you go into work where you are having to diagnose and treat people with cancer, which all the while feeds your own horror that you might have it too.  Sounds like a version of hell but that’s just what happened to Russell who Pennie talks to for this episode of Speaking of Suicide.  

We don’t often hear from doctors about their own health problems - perhaps we’re so often worrying about ourselves that we don’t stop to think about the pressures that caring for us all might have on their mental health - but in this episode we’re going to hear an utterly open and honest chat about what it feels like to become mentally ill when you’re a health care specialist. 

Support or get help from MIkeysline

This episode of Speaking of Suicide is sponsored by Travis Perkins Inverness

Speaking of Suicide is produced by Adventurous Audio

26 Jul 2021Joe's story00:41:00

In this episode of Speaking of Suicide, sponsored by Williamson Foodservice, Pennie talks to her good friend Joe.  They’ve been friends for a number of years and have shared a lot of laughs and conversations, but it wasn’t until recently that Joe admitted he’d contemplated suicide.  In this compelling and hugely thought-provoking conversation Joe talks openly and honestly about the events leading up to his thinking that suicide was his only way out.  It’s a story of the pressures that come from being in business for yourself, the stress of feeling you need to support the family and live up to your own expectations of what you should achieve in life.   Joe thought he wouldn’t qualify for the podcast because he never attempted to take his own life, on the contrary we think that makes his story all the more important because he can share how he managed to turn back from years of stress and pressure and depression to build the life he has now – a life where he’s happy and fulfilled and knows that suicide would never have been the best option.  This is breathtakingly honest and a riveting listen for anyone who ever struggles with the day to day pressures of life.

06 Oct 2022John Gibson - The Canmore Trust00:45:51

In June 2022 John Gibson started walking the length of Great Britain, 1200 miles from Land’s End to John O' Groats, with the aim of starting a national conversation around suicide.   His walk was in response to the moment in 2019, when John’s son, Cameron, took his life without warning. Left reeling and feeling utterly helpless in the aftermath of this devastating event John found walking a huge part of his finding his feet again so, along with founding The Canmore Trust charity, John decided to walk and talk about suicide with the mission of better understanding what can be done to prevent families like his going through the tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide #onemanwalkingamilliontalking. 

In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode, which is sponsored by D&D Paving Ltd, Pennie Stuart meets John as he crosses the Highlands and nears the final few days of his walk. 

Support or get help from MIkeysline


Speaking of Suicide is produced by Adventurous Audio


03 Jan 2022SoS 12 Days of Christmas. Day 10 ”Be Here Now” Part 200:06:54

Each day across the 12 Days of Christmas Counsellor Shona Macpherson is joining Pennie Stuart, in collaboration with Mikeysline, to share some mental health skills, practical tips you can try which might just help when you’re finding life a struggle. 

Following on from yesterday’s episode, today Shona and Pennie explore the senses of touch and sound as a way of being in the moment and unhooking ourselves from unhelpful thoughts.

Hopefully you’ll find some of these ideas helpful but they’re not a substitute for professional help so if you’re struggling, please seek support. Always remember its ok not to be ok and Mikeysline is available if you or someone you know needs help or advice you can text 07786 20 77 55, or contact them via messenger, webchat or twitter. Sun-Thurs 6pm - 10pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-7am. 

12 Jan 2022Professor Rory O’Connor00:58:58

This episode is a bit different because it takes the form of a conversation between Shona Macpherson and Professor Rory O’Connor.  Shona is a counsellor and life coach who works with Mikeysline and will be a familiar voice to you if you listen to the podcast regularly.  Rory is one of the world’s leading experts in the field of suicide prevention, he’s Professor of Health Psychology, Director of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory and head of the Mental Health and Wellbeing group at the University of Glasgow. He’s passionate about trying to understand the root causes of suicide in a bid to work out what we can do to reduce the shocking suicide statistics worldwide.  

His recent book “When it is darkest – Why people die by suicide and what we can do to prevent it” is a searingly honest search through this challenging and often upsetting subject.  It’s a book that’s written with such compassion and humanity we couldn’t resist asking Rory to take part in Speaking of Suicide and, since it was Shona who first brought Rory’s book to our attention and is such a passionate advocate herself of finding ways to stop suicide, we thought it should be Shona who talks with Rory.

Rory O'Connor

If you need someone to talk to, you can text Mikeysline on 07786 20 77 55 or contact via messenger, webchat or twitter.  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Or come and visit at The Hive, 19 Academy Street, Inverness, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm & Fri-Sat 6pm-11pm.

Speaking of Suicide is made thanks to the support of D&D Paving Ltd.

The music is by Tom Ireland with special thanks to Dave Martin

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