Richard Layard is an Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics where he is also Director of the Wellbeing Programme, as well as a member of the House of Lords and the co-founder of Action for Happiness. His books include Happiness: Lessons from a New Science, and Thrive. Lord Layard began his career as […]
Childhood
Being brave is beautiful, Petra Velzeboer
Petra Velzeboer was brought up in a cult, the Children of God. Lacking education but feeling that she was meant to save the world, she used alcohol and drugs to try to cope. Lonely after the birth of her children, she reached rock bottom but realised she had a choice. Petra chose to pursue happiness. […]
New Year, new challenge!
Ever thought about doing a challenge to fundraise for your favourite mental health charity? Hugo Chittenden is doing just that for Young Minds by going to Everest base camp with Charity Challenge. Hugo says: ‘It’s a great way to keep the mind focused, challenge yourself and gain confidence while supporting a great cause.” Young Minds (one of our partners) […]
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 […]
Peers Without Pressure, Anna and Millie
Wimbledon High Students Anna and Millie are students at Wimbledon High who take part in the school’s peer counselling project. They help advise younger girls on how to cope with the pressures around them. That pressure can come from outside: Anna and Millie say that looking good and body image are big concerns among some […]
Belonging To Something Bigger Than Yourself, Jane Lunnon
Headmistress The Head of Wimbledon High School, Jane Lunnon, says that the world has changed for her pupils. The old certainties of society aren’t there any more — what fills the gaps is often social media. Jane says young people need breaks from comparing themselves to their peers. Nothing, she says, beats a really good […]
Child & Parent Therapist, Dr Genevieve Von Lob
Parenting Therapist Clinical psychologist Dr Genevieve von Lob says that we can learn to become more conscious, mindful parents. Although this generation of parents is the most self-aware, we have all learnt templates of parenting from the generations before us. Children are aware of the emotional issues we pass on and reflect them back to […]
Former Government Mental Health Ambassador, Natasha Devon MBE
Former Government Advisor on Mental Health Natasha Devon is a former advisor to the government on child mental health. She has personal experience of anxiety and eating disorders herself. Natasha would like to see a society where children are taught how to develop healthy habits that will stand them in good stead in the future. […]
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 […]
Former Olympic Heavyweight Gold Medallist, Audley Harrison
Boxing Champion Audley Harrison grew up in a broken home in a tough part of London. By the age of 17 he had been expelled from schools and ended up in juvenile detention. Relying on willpower, he turned his life around, becoming a university graduate and a boxing sensation. Harrison, who is retired and lives […]
Letter To My Mother | Spoken Word by Mim Shaikh
BBC Radio 1Xtra & BBC Asian Network’s DJ, Mim Shaikh’s spoken word video details his mother’s mental health and the affect it’s had on his life. ‘I wrote this sincere and honest open ‘Letter To My Mother’ where I express my most honest thoughts and feelings towards our lacking relationship whilst growing up. This is […]
Let’s Play, Marguerite Hunter Blair
Distraction and playfulness are sorely missing in many children’s lives, says mother-of-five Marguerite Hunter Blair. And our children are bearing the brunt, as it is through play, especially outdoors, that children learn life skills and improve their physical and mental health. Hunter Blair is chief executive of Play Scotland and a passionate advocate for children’s […]
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