WE'VE STARTED A PODCAST SERIES!
Our Sick Society Podcast REACH YPCC Takeover-
Our Sick Society and The REACH Study presents a 4-part series examining matters relating to the mental health of young people. This 4-part series is lead by 3 young people on the REACH team, who have chosen topics that are important to them and issues they feel directly affect the mental health of young people today. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting us all, the REACH Study is further interested in exploring the potential impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of young people. Therefore, this 4-part series enables listeners to join the conversation lead by young people in attempting to delve into the ways in which society can promote a more positive experience of mental health and the next steps to helping young people thrive post-COVID.
Episode 1: Boys Mental Health and COVID-19
This episode of Our Sick Society is hosted by our Young Person’s Community Champions (YPCC), Adna, Karima, and Thai-sha, and is produced by the REACH Team. This episode focuses on the positive and negative impacts of COVID-19 and lockdown on boys’ mental health. Lucas and Jonas, two of our REACH Champions, reflect on their experiences wrestling with stigma and challenges to conform with a socio-cultural definition of masculinity that discourages boys and young men from seeking help. This episode discusses topics such as suicide and illness. Please use discretion.
If you need or know someone who needs support, click here.
If you need or know someone who needs support, click here.
You can listen to our first episode below!
Episode 2: Social Media, Adolescent Mental Health and COVID-19
Studies have found a strong link between heavy social media use and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Our YPCC have shared that, during the pandemic and lockdown, social media use amongst themselves and their peers increased. As young people use social media regularly, our YPCC felt it important to discuss these potential impacts as well the solutions to making social media platforms a safer environment for young people.
Join the team for this interesting discussion held with Louisa Rose, Chief Executive Officer at Beyond and Professor Yvonne Kelly, Director of the International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health.
Join the team for this interesting discussion held with Louisa Rose, Chief Executive Officer at Beyond and Professor Yvonne Kelly, Director of the International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health.
Listen to our second episode below!
Episode 3: The Role of Culture on Mental Health
With Black people being 40% more likely to access treatment through a police or criminal justice route, and less likely overall to receive psychological therapies, communities are reporting growing distrust in our justice and healthcare systems. But what other factors are at play? We know that culture can influence a person's beliefs, norms, values and opinions, but does it also have significant impact on mental health and help-seeking? And how do community experiences of mistrust impact the wider culture?
The REACH YPCC engage in the much-needed discussion of the links between culture, stigma and mental health. They are joined by Lucas and Jonas, two of our REACH Champions, and Nathaniel Martin who works at King’s College London and Black Thrive, reflecting on personal experiences of their own cultures and how this may have affected views surrounding mental health and help-seeking.
The REACH YPCC engage in the much-needed discussion of the links between culture, stigma and mental health. They are joined by Lucas and Jonas, two of our REACH Champions, and Nathaniel Martin who works at King’s College London and Black Thrive, reflecting on personal experiences of their own cultures and how this may have affected views surrounding mental health and help-seeking.
Listen to our third episode below!
Episode 4: The Role of Culture on Mental Health
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been so many changes in school for young people. Social distancing, remote learning, changes to exams, economic impacts, and the fear of the unknown have all been challenging for young people.
In this episode, the REACH YPCC are joined by secondary school teacher, Louise, where they delve into the impacts of the pandemic on student mental health but also the effects on the mental health of teachers. Join the team in discussions about improving support for young people and teachers post-COVID along with ways to encourage a better school environment for teachers and students to seek mental health support.
In this episode, the REACH YPCC are joined by secondary school teacher, Louise, where they delve into the impacts of the pandemic on student mental health but also the effects on the mental health of teachers. Join the team in discussions about improving support for young people and teachers post-COVID along with ways to encourage a better school environment for teachers and students to seek mental health support.
Listen to our fourth episode below!
A LIVE PODCAST WITH A COLLECTIVE SOUND
The REACH team were excited to welcome A Collective Sound to do a live podcast at our Festival for Young People, all about the impacts of the pandemic on young people. In this podcast, ACS give us a personal insight into the ways in which young people may have been impacted but also make recommendations on the best ways to move forward. Head over to @acollectivesound instagram to take a look at the other topics they've discussed.
You can listen to the live podcast below!
