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Head Talks aims to inform, inspire and engage those interested in mental health and wellbeing.
Find people speaking from the heart and from their own experience, as well as a wide range of experts and healers sharing their tips and insights to help us work towards better mental health and wellbeing.
Video highlights
Navigating an anxious online world, Emma Gannon
Emma Gannon is a writer, broadcaster and podcaster. She’s the author of ‘The Multi-Hyphen Method’ about the new world of work. Emma loves her work but she also deals with anxiety that sometimes makes her feel a ‘wasp in a jam jar’ is trapped inside. She says we live in a world with so much information and […]
We all need balance, Charlotte Wiseman
Charlotte Wiseman was working in a high-pressured job in the fashion industry when she realised that she was putting too much pressure on herself to work hard, to eat well and to stay physically fit. She had experienced eating disorders in the past but overcame them through creating strict structures for herself. When she tried […]
Honesty is addictive, Dizraeli (Rowan Sawday)
Rowan Sawday, who performs as Dizraeli, is a rapper, poet and musician. When he was so depressed that he couldn’t listen to music any more, he admitted that he needed help. With the aid of meditation, mindfulness and exercise, as well as therapy, he found his feet again. He says that as a culture, we […]
Taking the Weight Off Your Back, Danny
Danny started counselling when he began to experience bullying during the transition to secondary school. He was experiencing anxiety attacks and his school work was suffering. His parents suggested that he talk to a therapist. Danny has found his counselling helpful because he says it offers him small things that he remembers to do every […]
You Can’t See Mental Pain, Mim Shaikh
Radio Host Broadcaster Mim Shaikh grew up with his mother suffering from severe mental health issues. It wasn’t until he went to school that he realised his family was different from others. However, today he feels this experience has helped him to become more sensitive and empathetic towards others going through mental pain. It’s also […]
Stranger on the Bridge, Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn
The Stranger on the Bridge Just before his 21st birthday, Jonny Benjamin MBE decided to run away from the mental hospital he was staying in. While he was sitting on the edge of London’s Waterloo Bridge, contemplating taking his own life, a man came up and talked him out of it. Six years later, a […]
Podcast highlights
Moving the mind beyond trauma, Josh Dickson
Josh Dickson is a therapist who works with EMDR — eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing — therapy to help clients overcome past traumas. He says he has both experienced and witnessed its effects. Josh tells us the theories about why stimulating the brain helps it to file away old, painful memories and explains how he […]
Dream Yourself Better, Charlie Morley
Lucid dreaming is a state where you’re asleep, but aware that you’re dreaming. Charlie Morley says that almost anyone can learn how to do it. He’s a teacher of lucid dreaming and a student of Buddhism. Charlie says that not only is lucid dreaming fun — like a virtual reality simulation — but it has […]
Love, Hope and Cancer, Lucy O’Donnell
Cancer Wellness Advisor When Lucy was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in November 2011, she spent most of the next eighteen months in radical cancer treatment. Through her continuing treatment and experience, Lucy channels her energies into helping other people in and outside the cancer world. She is a Cancer Counsellor, Holistic Therapist, Inspirational […]
No Longer Living a Half Life, Mark and Maddy Austin
News Presenter & Daughter When Maddy Austin began to suffer from anorexia as a teenager, her father Mark didn’t know at first how to react. Mealtimes became a battle zone and the stress on the whole family was very difficult. It wasn’t until Maddy was able to get appropriate treatment that she began to recover. […]
The Panic of Cancer – A Survivor’s Story, Anne Shewring
Cancer Survivor It wasn’t until after her operation, chemo and double mastectomy that Anne Shewring started to struggle with anxiety. ‘You think: how am I going to survive this?’ It’s been five-and-half years now, and with the help of counselling Anne, whose sister died of breast cancer twenty years ago, learned to cope with ‘life […]
Recovery Through Art, Andy Hollinghurst
Depression & Art On the surface Andy Hollinghurst was calm, controlled and pleasant. Qualities needed for his job as a school headmaster. But underneath, this father of five suffered from debilitating anxiety and depression. After a massive burnout, Andy discovered the healing qualities of painting, documenting his crash, and eventually, his recovery. Andy is now […]
Headtalks blog
Facing the move to university
Struggle & success
Adjusting to student life can be hard. Being away from family and friends, with a new environment and facing new expectations. We went to Edinburgh University to speak to some of the students and teaching staff about how we can help with this important transition.
Centering yourself
Struggle & success
Rachel Kelly Every time I travel by plane, I am reminded that it is not selfish or navel-gazing to look after yourself: to take care of others we need to take care of ourselves. We all know the emergency instructions: put your own oxygen mask on first before you attend to those around you. Begin […]
Are we swiping left on mental health?
Struggle & success
Julie-Ann Robertson I quit Instagram in January. My mental health was taking a shake and I noticed I was flicking through my news feed and posting a story update every other hour because, frankly, I was looking for a validation fix. Shortly afterwards, I quit the rest of my social platforms. Am I over-reacting by cutting […]
OUR PLAYLISTS CAN HELP
If you are feeling overwhelmed, or struggling to face the day, try one of our playlists. With a mix of videos, podcasts, blogs, real-life experiences, or meditations and breathing exercises, you’ll find out that there will always be someone who has been through the same pain.
Sleep well 9 Resources
9 Resources
If you suffer from insomnia, we have some advice here – including meditations to promote better rest and relaxation.
Dealing with digital 9 Resources
9 Resources
We have the world at our fingertips (or phones) – so how do we manage the time spent looking at a screen, or caring about social media?
Suicidal feelings 9 Resources
9 Resources
If you have come close to ending it all, or have suffered a bereavement, then we hope these resources will help.
Our challenges with food 9 Resources
9 Resources
If you suffer from an eating disorder, or want to learn how changing your diet can help with depression, try these videos and tips.
Anxiety and depression 9 Resources
9 Resources
These videos and stories will give you tips to manage feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as suggesting alternative therapies.
Addiction 9 Resources
9 Resources
We have a number of true-life stories from those recovering from addiction. Remember, you aren’t alone.