#15 Sustaining our mental health

Breakfast & Beyond

** Please note – this episode includes discussions on suicide that might be upsetting to some people **

For Episode 15 I was joined by two guests, Catherine Collin and Dean Harvey, both experts in the field of mental health in Cornwall.

You may be wondering, why an episode on mental health, in a podcast focused on sustainable living?

‘Sustainability’ is often broken down into four interlinked areas: environmental, social, economic and political. Mental health is a strand of ‘social sustainability’, pertaining to our health and wellbeing, our ability to lead happy, prosperous lives .. which in turn affects our economic prospects, our ability to play an active part in our communities, and it potentially affects our capacity to contribute to the environmental sustainability agenda.

The World Health Organisation states “there can be no health or sustainable development without mental health”. Yet mental health – and illness – is a major issue that impacts all of us – whether directly, or through supporting someone within our social circle. It’s estimated that 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder (WHO).

This felt to me, therefore, like a topic that needs to be front and centre in any discussion of sustainable living, not least as it’s a theme that historically has stigma and shame attached to it, which only serves to heighten the problem.

Our conversation covers themes ranging from how we define mental health and mental illness, to the specific context within Cornwall; the extent to which stigma is still prevalent; how our mental health is affected by social inequalities and our unique life circumstances; and we also talk about suicide – an area in which both Dean and Catherine specialise – so I wanted to let you know that this episode includes discussions on suicide that might be upsetting to some people.

The insights that Catherine and Dean share are thoughtful, considered and compassionate, and given that all of us are, have been, or are likely to be, affected by mental health issues at some point in our lives, I hope that this conversation proves to be as valuable for you as it was for me.

Breakfast was Cornish-style continental, including an oat and buckwheat granola and gooseberry and pineapple weed muffins. You can find the recipes along with more information about the themes we discuss via the Episode 15 web page.

Thank you for listening, I’d love to know your thoughts on today’s episode. Do join the conversation, you can email me [e-mail] or message via Instagram @breakfast_and_beyond

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