S4 Ep8: Suicide prevention and mental health advocacy with Ben West
Sep 14, 2023
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Belinda Lennox interviews Ben West, a mental health campaigner and author, about his journey as an advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. They discuss the need for better mental health support in schools, the importance of openly discussing suicide, the challenges faced in addressing mental health in businesses, and the therapeutic benefits of journaling.
Early intervention and better structures are needed in schools to support and educate students about mental health issues.
Breaking the silence and openly discussing the reality of mental illness and suicide is crucial for creating effective solutions.
Deep dives
Importance of Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
The podcast episode focuses on the importance of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Ben West, a mental health campaigner, shares his personal experience of losing his younger brother to suicide and how it has driven him to raise awareness and help others. He emphasizes the need for more understanding, empathy, and funding in mental health research to address the mental health crisis, especially among young people. Through his advocacy work, he highlights the significance of early intervention and better structures in schools to support and educate students about mental health issues.
Addressing the Stigma Around Mental Illness
The podcast delves into the stigma and shame surrounding mental illness and suicide. Ben West emphasizes the need to break the silence and openly discuss the reality of these experiences. He believes that understanding the depth of the problem is essential for creating effective solutions. Furthermore, he highlights the significance of anger and passion in driving change, pointing out that mental health research still lacks the funding and public support comparable to other illnesses. He urges society to prioritize mental health and create greater awareness, empathy, and research in the field.
Collaboration with Businesses and Workplace Mental Health
The podcast explores the role of businesses in addressing mental health in the workplace. Ben West discusses his work with companies, including Wagamama, to improve internal staff mental health. He emphasizes the importance of collecting data and understanding the challenges employees face, such as the impact of the cost of living crisis. By sharing his personal story and creating a vulnerable space for conversations, he aims to help businesses develop solutions and create mentally positive work environments. He places importance on collaboration, research, and continuous efforts to support individuals and society in overcoming mental health challenges.
Content warning:
Please be aware that this episode refers to topics such as suicide, suicidal ideations and depression.
In the eighth episode of the series, Professor Belinda Lennox speaks to Ben West, mental health campaigner, best-selling author and social media influencer.
In 2018, Ben unexpectedly lost his brother to suicide. In this conversation, Ben shares his journey as a campaigner for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and his work to fundamentally change how we approach mental health, especially in schools.
Ben released his first book entitled 'This Book Could Save Your Life – Breaking the Silence Around the Mental Health Emergency' in 2022, in which he shares his experiences to date, offering everything he’s discovered along the way, from dealing with grief, to how you can support those in your life experiencing poor mental health.
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