The NottAlone Podcast

Checking in: how to start a conversation about mental health

In this special bonus episode, Dr Maddi and Dr Orlaith explore how to start a conversation with someone who may be struggling with their mental health. They chat about why mental health matters and what to do if you’re worried about someone. This is a standalone, short 22-minute episode with practical tips for you to use the next time you want to start a conversation about mental health. Plus, some reassurance that you don’t need to “fix” anything – just checking in helps more than you know. Link to the Young Minds model referenced in the episode:How to have a conversation with young people about mental health [https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/how-to-have-a-conversation-with-young-people-about-mental-health/]

The psychology of mattering - helping young people feel valued and understood

Series three of The NottAlone Podcast is a special four-episode podcast series which explores some challenging topics, hearing young people’s first-hand experiences of grief,loss, eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks.    In this episode, Dr Maddi and Dr Orlaith discuss the young guests they have had on the podcast this series, their inspirational stories and what they took away from each young person.   They also do a deep dive on young people’s mental health, using their insights as educational psychologists to help parents, carers, or professionals working with young people to understand more about the way young people frame their thoughts, and some of the best ways to help them.   Key themes explored in this episode include: intrusive thoughts and negative thinking patterns, catastrophising, building confidence and self-value with young people, and key takeaways from the young guests this season; Ella, Grace and Shova.

Overcoming anxiety and school avoidance with Shova

NottAlone co-founders Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Órlaith Green sat down with 18-year-old university student Shova to discuss her experience with anxiety and panic attacks and the effect on her school attendance. Shova tells her story, explaining when she started to struggle to attend school, how her attendance rate dropped as low as 60% and her fear that she would never be able to cope with going to school. She also shares what helped her to overcome her anxiety and panic attacks and rebuild her attendance. Shova gives advice for friends and family, as well as sharing her tips for those who are struggling with anxiety around going to school. Educational psychologists Dr Maddi and Dr Órlaith explain some of the psychology behind the experience and reflect on their work with young people experiencing similar issues. Content note: this episode discusses some heavy topics around anxiety, panic attacks and feeling unable to attend school. Please, listen with care, take a break if you need it and visit NottAlone.org.uk if you need support around any of the issues raised in this episode. Series three of The NottAlone Podcast is a special four-episode podcast series which explores some challenging topics, hearing young people’s first-hand experiences of grief, loss, eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. Transcript: https://nottalone.org.uk/aa/the-nottalone-podcast-overcoming-anxiety-and-school-avoidance-with-shova/ Need support with anxiety or panic attacks? Find information, advice and connections to free, local support services, visit NottAlone.org.uk Please remember to subscribe for future episodes and leave us a comment, rating or review wherever you listen to help us reach more people to join in the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode and any suggestions on what you want us to cover next! You can get in touch by leaving us a comment, on our social media or by emailing ⁠⁠NottAlone@nottscc.gov.uk⁠⁠. Remember, whatever you’re going through, you are not alone. About NottAlone NottAlone.org.uk is a mental health support resource for people of all ages in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, offering advice and information on a range of mental health subjects, as well as connections to free support services. NottAlone is for all ages, covering individuals, workplaces and advice on how to support a friend or loved one. There’s a dedicated section of the website for children and young people, their parents/carers and professionals working with them. Visit the NottAlone website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠NottAlone.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the Podcast This episode of The NottAlone podcast was recorded by Brendon Gravell at The Old Library in Mansfield and produced by Rachel Cole and Francesca Vaney. Our theme music is the NottAlone song, Not Alone by Alex Mighten. Find out more about the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠NottAlone.org.uk/TheNottAlonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ NottAlone is a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.

Eating disorder recovery and cosy living for mental health with Grace

Grace Wood sat down with The NottAlone Podcast hosts Dr Órlaith Green and Dr Maddi Popoola to talk about her road to recovery from an eating disorder and her plan to run the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helped her. Maddi and Órlaith chat to Grace about her challenges seeking medical help, the techniques that helped her overcome her eating disorder and what she wants more people to know about recovery. Grace shares her experience of contacting mental health support services and explains why she wants to urge others to do the same. Grace’s story aims to remind people that eating disorders can affect anyone, and to help break down stereotypes and stigma. Content note: this episode discusses some heavy topics around eating disorders. Please, listen with care, take a break if you need it and visit NottAlone.org.uk if you need support around any of the issues raised in this episode. Series three of The NottAlone Podcast is a special four-episode podcast series which explores some challenging topics, hearing young people’s first-hand experiences of grief, loss, eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. Transcript: https://nottalone.org.uk/aa/the-nottalone-podcast-eating-disorder-recovery-and-cosy-living-for-mental-health-with-grace/ Need support with eating disorders? Find information, advice and connections to free, local support services, visit NottAlone.org.uk Please remember to subscribe for future episodes and leave us a comment, rating or review wherever you listen to help us reach more people to join in the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode and any suggestions on what you want us to cover next! You can get in touch by leaving us a comment, on our social media or by emailing ⁠⁠NottAlone@nottscc.gov.uk⁠⁠. Remember, whatever you’re going through, you are not alone. About NottAlone NottAlone.org.uk is a mental health support resource for people of all ages in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, offering advice and information on a range of mental health subjects, as well as connections to free support services. NottAlone is for all ages, covering individuals, workplaces and advice on how to support a friend or loved one. There’s a dedicated section of the website for children and young people, their parents/carers and professionals working with them. Visit the NottAlone website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠NottAlone.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the Podcast This episode of The NottAlone podcast was recorded by Brendon Gravell at The Old Library in Mansfield and produced by Rachel Cole and Francesca Vaney. Our theme music is the NottAlone song, Not Alone by Alex Mighten. Find out more about the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠NottAlone.org.uk/TheNottAlonePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ NottAlone is a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.

Girl vs grief: Ella's story of bereavement, sibling loss and mental health

Fifteen-year-old Ella Mai Blower from Colwick shares her moving experience of coping with grief following the loss of her younger brother. Leo was just six years old when he passed away from a terminal brain tumour four years ago, leaving Ella and her family devastated. Like many young people, Ella turned to social media to find other people who had also lost siblings, but was unable to find anything that resonated with her. That’s when she decided to create her own TikTok account @girl_vs_grief, to share her memories and help other people going through grief and loss. Hosts Maddi and Órlaith chat to Ella about her experiences, why sharing her story is so important to her, what helped her cope with grief and what advice she would give to other young people going through something similar. Content note: this episode discusses some heavy topics around bereavement and grief, especially in the second half. Please, listen with care, take a break if you need it and visit NottAlone.org.uk if you need support around any of the issues raised in this episode.Series three of The NottAlone Podcast is a special four-episode podcast series which explores some challenging topics, hearing young people’s first-hand experiences of grief, loss, eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. Transcript: https://nottalone.org.uk/aa/the-nottalone-podcast-girl-vs-grief-ellas-story-of-bereavement-sibling-loss-and-mental-health/ [https://nottalone.org.uk/aa/the-nottalone-podcast-girl-vs-grief-ellas-story-of-bereavement-sibling-loss-and-mental-health/]Need support with bereavement or loss? Find information, advice and connections to free, local support services at NottAlone.org.uk.Please remember to subscribe for future episodes and leave us a comment, rating or review wherever you listen to help us reach more people to join in the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode and any suggestions on what you want us to cover next! You can get in touch by leaving us a comment, on our social media or by emailing ⁠⁠nottalone@nottscc.gov.uk⁠⁠. Remember, whatever you’re going through, you are not alone.About NottAloneNottAlone.org.uk is a mental health support resource for people of all ages in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, offering advice and information on a range of mental health subjects, as well as connections to free support services. NottAlone is for all ages, covering individuals, workplaces and advice on how to support a friend or loved one. There’s a dedicated section of the website for children and young people, their parents/carers and professionals working with them. Visit the NottAlone website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠NottAlone.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the PodcastThis episode of The NottAlone podcast was recorded by Brendon Gravell at The Old Library in Mansfield and produced by Rachel Cole and Francesca Vaney. Our theme music is the NottAlone song, Not Alone by Alex Mighten. Find out more about the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠nottalone.org.uk/thenottalonepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ NottAlone is a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board.