It was so great to have a conversation with Ben West this week on the podcast, where we talk all things mental health! 

After tragically losing his younger brother to suicide, Ben began campaign for increasing awareness, promoting positive change, influencing the government, and altering laws within the mental health space.  Mental health is universal in its impact and effects everyone, however there is still a very clear lack of funding and education in order to tackle the huge struggles being faced by thousands.

We discuss the consistent tendency to separate mental and physical health issues, when in fact they so often exist as intertwined, and need to be treated with equal importance. At present Ben is focusing particularly on universities and schools as social spaces in which mental health care is needed more than ever, with the largest killer of teenagers horrifically remaining to be suicide. Conscious to not simply call for change but offer suggestions, Ben and I highlight the specific solutions he is hoping to take to government in order to produce active change and save lives.  

We additionally explore the power of therapy as preventative medicine (but simultaneously the serious need for increased support in this area), dropping out of university, how Ben used positive campaigning to heal from his grief, the positive and negative aspects of social media, and an in-depth discussion surrounding diet culture, eating disorders, and the fitness industry. 

There are a lot of heavy topics in this podcast episode, so I advise you to note these trigger warnings before listening: 

*We speak about suicide/depression/anxiety/eating disorders/body weight and image in this episode. This is to caution anyone who may find this triggering or upsetting. Remember you are not alone, and sending you tons of loving vibes. 

Websites for support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

*This episode is recorded remotely so apologies for any audio issues!

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/healingwithtorzi/

Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwest/

MENTIONED: 

Ben’s Petition (Save our Students: Make Mental Health First Aid a Compulsory Part of Teacher Training): https://www.change.org/p/saveourstudents

Matt Haig: https://www.instagram.com/mattzhaig/

James Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/james.middleton_/

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