Mental health podcast from Highland charity Mikeysline appeals for guests for new season
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A SCOTTISH podcast highlighting struggles with mental illness and suicide is searching for participants and sponsors for its new season.
The charity Mikeysline, which offers mental health support for people in the Highlands and Moray, is looking for businesses and individuals who are interested in appearing on a podcast episode.
The Speaking of Suicide podcast covers all aspects of mental health and features high profile guests like Europe’s strongest man Luke Stoltman, global expert in mental health and suicide prevention Professor Rory O’Connor and Mikeysline founder Ron Williamson.
Local guests who have been affected by suicide or struggled with their own mental health are also invited to share their stories on the show. As well as encouraging more local guests, the charity would like to appeal for support from businesses who may wish to sponsor episodes and help promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Joe, a former guest who shared his experiences with mental health issues on the show, said: “The process for me was hugely cathartic and it has allowed me to have honest and frank conversations with a number of friends and family who had no real idea of where my head had been at that time in my life.
“If my speaking out has helped just one person step back from the precipice then it will all have been hugely worthwhile."
Mikeysline was founded in 2015 following the tragic deaths of friends Martin Shaw and Michael Williamson. Ron Williamson, Michael's uncle, founded the charity after hearing from their peers that young people in Highlands frequently felt they had nowhere to get help when struggling with mental health issues.
The Speaking of Suicide podcast was started by the charity in 2021 and show has continued to grow in popularity, with over 5400 downloads worldwide. Their Christmas miniseries further increased the podcast’s reach by 99 per cent - allowing the charity to spread the message that 'it’s OK to not be OK' to an even wider audience.
Emily Stokes, CEO of Mikeysline, added: “Our mission at Mikeysline is to remind people that struggling with mental health, emotional distress or suicidal thoughts is not uncommon – and that there is always someone available to provide support, whether that is from a friend or family member, or a charity like us.
“This podcast allows us to reach a much larger audience than ever before, to spread that message of togetherness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health, and to remind people that it’s OK not to be OK.”
Mikeysline offers confidential, non-judgemental support to people with mental health issues or in emotional distress in the Highlands and Moray.
They can be contacted via a text line service at 07786 207755, as well as via live chat, Twitter and Messenger. The charity's Speaking of Suicide podcast is available on all streaming platforms.
