The Blue Bench Mental Health Podcast
Suicide is a problem. A big problem. Many, many people have mental health challenges, and we want to help.
Borne out of tragedy, the idea of the Daffodil Walk in Merton, SW London and the Blue Bench is an innovative idea conceived by local people, for local people.
We want this to be a haven, a hub - a safe space for anyone who has been affected by mental illness.
On the blue bench is a QR code that can be scanned, and people can access our series of podcasts; Real stories from real people. There is a list of helpful resources and a weatherproof box underneath the bench containing useful leaflets to take away and keep.
We want you to know, that no matter what, there is hope. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways- I mean daffodils and a talking bench is not a bad start is it!
The Blue Bench Mental Health Podcast
S1 E5 Will Hay
We talk with Will Hay discussing an early onset of a kind of epilepsy "Complex Partial Seizures" and what would be called autism today.
He discusses his brain surgery, removing a part the size of a golf ball (!) , but that improved his cognitive function dramatically.
We discuss suicide prevention, and how it has happened in other cases who were similar to Will, and his reliance on and support of his family.
We talk about the necessity of reaching out and talking, and how the "tough guy" attitude simply does not work.
We talk about styles of unhelpful thinking for example "All or Nothing", if I can't do it well it's best not to do it at all, Mental Filter - focussing on our failures not our successes. There are many - these are used in CBT, a common and effective treatment.
If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.