S1 Ep01 - Distress in Disguise: Recognising the Signs

In this episode of Let's Talk Hope, host Gemma Cutting and guests Jane Boland and Rob Glover discuss with Prof. Pooja Saini the importance of addressing suicide and mental health openly. They explore the pressures faced by public figures, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the need for community conversations to support those in crisis. The episode emphasizes that anyone can be affected by suicidal thoughts and that it is crucial to create safe spaces for dialogue and support.TakeawaysThe podcast aims to reduce the stigma around suicide.Personal experiences can inspire hope and awareness.Public figures can influence conversations about mental health.Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help.Community support is vital in suicide prevention.Conversations about suicide should happen in everyday settings.It's important to recognize the signs of distress.Preparation is key for having difficult conversations.Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of status.We need more open discussions about mental health.Sound Bites"Anyone can be touched by suicide.""It's okay to talk about it.""We need more people to talk about it.""We need to talk about suicide openly.""We need to break down the stigma.""It's about having that conversation."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Let's Talk Hope01:30 Distress in Disguise: Recognizing the Signs07:30 The Pressure of Public Life13:13 Understanding Suicidal Crisis20:06 Breaking the Stigma Around Suicide28:52 Community Conversations and ResourcesMore Information / Help & SupportFor more information about the individuals and organisations featured in this episode, or if you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, the following organisations can provide help and support:Papyrus provides confidential support and advice to young people (under 25 years of age)struggling with thoughts of suicide: ⁠https://www.papyrus-uk.org/⁠Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needssomeone: ⁠https://www.samaritans.org/⁠Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service foranyone who is struggling to cope: ⁠https://giveusashout.org/⁠Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.: ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/⁠James’ Place is a charity offering free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men at three centresin Liverpool, London and Newcastle: ⁠https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/⁠Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database: ⁠https://hubofhope.co.uk/⁠Alfie’s Squad is a service for children bereaved by suicide: ⁠https://alfiessquad.org/⁠Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone affected by suicide: ⁠https://amparo.org.uk/⁠ CreditsSeries conceived by Prof Pooja Saini at Liverpool John Moores UniversityProduced and distributed by Innobella MediaHosted by Gemma Cutting Sound Recording & Post-Production: Paul Freeman-Powell Music Composed & Produced by Tom Anderson