Lively Minds, the UK Mental Health Podcast
Lively Minds is a monthly podcast about mental health challenges that go beyond the ebb and flow of the everyday. Led by people with lived experience, the show looks at how developing an understanding of our mental health influences how we address the challenges we face. Episodes are released on the first Friday of each month. Find out more at www.anyamedia.net/livelyminds
Episodes
July 4, 2025 • 30 mins
Professor Melissa Bateson, an expert in ethology, explains the biological functions of anxiety, its evolutionary importance, and how it prepares humans and animals to detect and respond to threats.
The conversation covers the smoke detector principle, the optimal threshold for anxiety responses, and the potential impact of modern environments on anxiety levels.
The episode also delves into how understanding animal behaviour can offer...
The conversation covers the smoke detector principle, the optimal threshold for anxiety responses, and the potential impact of modern environments on anxiety levels.
The episode also delves into how understanding animal behaviour can offer...
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June 13, 2025 • 48 mins
We take a deep dive into SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which is the most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant in the UK. We discuss with Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Alex Curmi what we know about the effectiveness of SSRIs, what we don't, and why there is so much debate about their use.
Check out the Thinking Mind Podcast by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.
Or you can find it on Spotify by clic...
Check out the Thinking Mind Podcast by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.
Or you can find it on Spotify by clic...
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May 2, 2025 • 31 mins
What does it mean to live a happy life? Can happiness be more than just feeling good? And how might ideas like meaning, community, and values help us rethink wellbeing?
In this second of a two part series, hosts Will and Ellie are joined by Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy.
They explore happiness as something more complex than mood—touching on meaning, self-...
In this second of a two part series, hosts Will and Ellie are joined by Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy.
They explore happiness as something more complex than mood—touching on meaning, self-...
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April 4, 2025 • 27 mins
What is happiness? How does it change across cultures? How might notions of happiness change for people with mental health challenges? What does it mean to live a “happy life”?
In this first of a two part series, we revisit an interview from May 2023 with Professor William Tov of Singapore Management University. We discuss the broad and varied definitions of happiness, cultural differences in how happiness is perceived, and the role...
In this first of a two part series, we revisit an interview from May 2023 with Professor William Tov of Singapore Management University. We discuss the broad and varied definitions of happiness, cultural differences in how happiness is perceived, and the role...
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March 7, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode of 'Lively Minds,' Ellie discusses the importance of collective care and mental health through a conversation with artists: Charlie Fitz and Miss Jackie.
They explore how their artist collective, Triad, created during the Covid pandemic, became a vital support system for their well-being.
The shared experiences of disability and creativity fostered a unique bond among them, providing a space for emotional support, mut...
They explore how their artist collective, Triad, created during the Covid pandemic, became a vital support system for their well-being.
The shared experiences of disability and creativity fostered a unique bond among them, providing a space for emotional support, mut...
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February 7, 2025 • 37 mins
What is self-harm? Why can it be so uncomfortable to talk about? How do we best support those who self-harm?
In this episode of Lively Minds, hosts Ellie and Will explore self-harm with Naomi Salisbury, a consultant and former CEO of Self Injury Support. They discuss the varied reasons behind self-harm, its misconceptions, and the importance of compassion and harm minimisation.
Naomi shares insights on support strategies, the role of...
In this episode of Lively Minds, hosts Ellie and Will explore self-harm with Naomi Salisbury, a consultant and former CEO of Self Injury Support. They discuss the varied reasons behind self-harm, its misconceptions, and the importance of compassion and harm minimisation.
Naomi shares insights on support strategies, the role of...
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January 7, 2025 • 26 mins
Ellie's just had a research paper published!
In today's episode we discuss how can we learn from the impact that COVID-19 had on mental health peer support groups being forced to transition to online formats?
Ellie shares insights from her research conducted at the University of Liverpool, focusing on the experiences of Hearing Voices Network facilitators.
Key themes include the rapid shift to Zoom, issues of access to technology, ch...
In today's episode we discuss how can we learn from the impact that COVID-19 had on mental health peer support groups being forced to transition to online formats?
Ellie shares insights from her research conducted at the University of Liverpool, focusing on the experiences of Hearing Voices Network facilitators.
Key themes include the rapid shift to Zoom, issues of access to technology, ch...
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December 6, 2024 • 27 mins
North East England has the highest per capita use of antidepressant use in England and Wales and has had the highest suicide rate in England for 3 out of the past 4 years.
We are joined by Alasdair Cameron, co-director of Newcastle-based independent mental health charity ReCoco, to explore why.
We explore regional socio-economic factors impacting mental well-being, the inflexibility in mental health services between urban and rural a...
We are joined by Alasdair Cameron, co-director of Newcastle-based independent mental health charity ReCoco, to explore why.
We explore regional socio-economic factors impacting mental well-being, the inflexibility in mental health services between urban and rural a...
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November 1, 2024 • 35 mins
How can art be used as a therepeutic tool to navigate types of grief that go beyond death and bereavement?
This is just one of the questions covered in our conversation with Doll - an artist, who shares their story of using their artistic practice to navigate their mental health experience.
Discussing their eclectic artistic practices—from sketchbooks to sculpture and crochet—Doll elaborates on how these forms of expression have hel...
This is just one of the questions covered in our conversation with Doll - an artist, who shares their story of using their artistic practice to navigate their mental health experience.
Discussing their eclectic artistic practices—from sketchbooks to sculpture and crochet—Doll elaborates on how these forms of expression have hel...
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October 4, 2024 • 20 mins
Will and Ellie - co-hosts of the Lively Minds mental health podcast, discuss what their ingredients are for good mental health.
Follow @livelymindspod on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and more at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds
Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find our more about the show and get signposting to support on our website live...
Follow @livelymindspod on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and more at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds
Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find our more about the show and get signposting to support on our website live...
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September 5, 2024 • 22 mins
How might the impact of detachment from their mother and birth family affect care-experienced children and young people's behaviour and relationships? And how can we support care-experienced children and young people to process their feelings?
We welcome back to the podcast Ciara McLelland, who specialises in working with children and families impacted by adverse childhood experiences, to find out more about the impact of grief and...
We welcome back to the podcast Ciara McLelland, who specialises in working with children and families impacted by adverse childhood experiences, to find out more about the impact of grief and...
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August 2, 2024 • 24 mins
What is mindfulness? What's the difference between mindfulness and doing things 'mindfully'? What does evidence about the positive impact of mindfulness tell us about the origins of our mental health struggles?
We'll be discussing these topics with Dr Afrosa Ahmed, who has just written a book: "Mindful Healing, 5 Simple Steps to Transform your Life" published by Michael O'Mara Books.
A practising GP in the NHS for over 20 years, as w...
We'll be discussing these topics with Dr Afrosa Ahmed, who has just written a book: "Mindful Healing, 5 Simple Steps to Transform your Life" published by Michael O'Mara Books.
A practising GP in the NHS for over 20 years, as w...
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July 5, 2024 • 29 mins
In 2022, a survey revealed that only 11% of people working in the UK’s film and TV sectors considered the industry to be a mentally healthy place to work.
As the latest iteration of the “Looking Glass” survey is launched, we speak with Rupert Jones-Lee, Head of Research and Impact at the Film & TV Charity, about the mental health challenges faced by those in the film and TV industry.
We talk about the reasons behind these mental ...
As the latest iteration of the “Looking Glass” survey is launched, we speak with Rupert Jones-Lee, Head of Research and Impact at the Film & TV Charity, about the mental health challenges faced by those in the film and TV industry.
We talk about the reasons behind these mental ...
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May 22, 2024 • 2 mins
Hi everyone, just a quick podcast update today.
Ellie and I have decided to reduce the frequency of Lively Minds to once a month. The main reason for this change is that, as you know, we produce the show in our spare time, and maintaining a fortnightly release schedule has become challenging alongside our other commitments.
We aren’t going anywhere! The next episode of Lively Minds will be released on the first Friday of July. Follow...
Ellie and I have decided to reduce the frequency of Lively Minds to once a month. The main reason for this change is that, as you know, we produce the show in our spare time, and maintaining a fortnightly release schedule has become challenging alongside our other commitments.
We aren’t going anywhere! The next episode of Lively Minds will be released on the first Friday of July. Follow...
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May 8, 2024 • 30 mins
Australia’s nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award 2024, Matt Ottley, talks to us about his new work The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness, which explores experiences of bipolar and psychosis through art, word and music.
Matt Ottley is an internationally acclaimed and multiple award-winning neurodiverse artist, author and composer from Australia, with more than forty picture books to his name.
You can find out more about...
Matt Ottley is an internationally acclaimed and multiple award-winning neurodiverse artist, author and composer from Australia, with more than forty picture books to his name.
You can find out more about...
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April 24, 2024 • 36 mins
“Sometimes, people just need to be really very sad together”
In this episode, we will be talking with funeral celebrant - or ‘funeralist’ - Andy Jones about funerals and mental health.
We ask Andy what ingredients he thinks a funeral needs in order to best support the wellbeing of those that have lost someone.
We also discuss how, as someone who spends his life around death and grieving, Andy looks after his own mental wellbeing.
You ...
In this episode, we will be talking with funeral celebrant - or ‘funeralist’ - Andy Jones about funerals and mental health.
We ask Andy what ingredients he thinks a funeral needs in order to best support the wellbeing of those that have lost someone.
We also discuss how, as someone who spends his life around death and grieving, Andy looks after his own mental wellbeing.
You ...
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April 10, 2024 • 23 mins
What is Dramatherapy? How does it work? And how can it help us make better sense of our mental health?
In this episode, Ellie and Will chat with Ciara McClelland of Dream Together, who is a registered dramatherapist and social worker.
We explore dramatherapy's application in both individual and group contexts. From facilitating personal healing journeys to shedding light on pressing social issues, dramatherapy emerges as a powerful ...
In this episode, Ellie and Will chat with Ciara McClelland of Dream Together, who is a registered dramatherapist and social worker.
We explore dramatherapy's application in both individual and group contexts. From facilitating personal healing journeys to shedding light on pressing social issues, dramatherapy emerges as a powerful ...
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March 27, 2024 • 37 mins
Did you know, that in the UK, anyone - no matter what their qualifications or experience - can set themselves up as a counsellor, a psychotherapist, or indeed use any job title except for a chosen few that are protected by law?
In this episode, we will be talking Phil Doré and Amanda Williamson about regulation - or rather, the lack of it - in mental health care in the UK.
Amanda Williamson is a Senior Accredited Counsellor and Coach...
In this episode, we will be talking Phil Doré and Amanda Williamson about regulation - or rather, the lack of it - in mental health care in the UK.
Amanda Williamson is a Senior Accredited Counsellor and Coach...
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March 13, 2024 • 43 mins
How can the arts help achieve positive change for people with mental health problems?
Who can get involved? What counts as “activism”?
Writer, director and Disabled rights activist: Vici Wreford Sinnott returns to the show to discuss these questions. She highlight some of her favourite examples of mental health-focused activism and talks about how those with and without mental health challenge can work together to make society a mor...
Who can get involved? What counts as “activism”?
Writer, director and Disabled rights activist: Vici Wreford Sinnott returns to the show to discuss these questions. She highlight some of her favourite examples of mental health-focused activism and talks about how those with and without mental health challenge can work together to make society a mor...
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