Mikeysline Launches Moving Podcast Season Finale for World Mental Health Day

A mental health charity providing vital text-based and face-to-face support services has released the season finale of its popular podcast series for World Mental Health Day (October 10).

Mikeysline has released the final episode of the current season of Speaking of Suicide, which features the compelling story of The Canmore Trust’s John Gibson.  In June 2022, John started walking the length of Great Britain – 1,200 miles from Land’s End to John O’ Groats – with the aim of starting a national conversation around suicide.

John’s son Cameron took his life without warning in 2019.

Left feeling utterly helpless, John found walking a huge part of his finding his feet again.

As well as founding the Canmore Trust, John has been walking and talking the length and breadth of the country to better understand what can be done to prevent families like his facing similar tragedies.

CEO Emily Stokes said: “John’s story is thought provoking and moving – as are all those featured on the Speaking of Suicide podcast.

 By sharing these real experiences, we are able to learn more about our own mental health and that of others around us – and find solaces in the fact that we are not facing these challenges alone.

” The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is to make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.

“By addressing the stigma around mental health and suicide prevention in the Highlands and Moray, we are contributing to the global conversation – and allowing the stories and experiences of people in our communities to be heard around the world.

” Suicide rates in the Highlands are still sadly much higher than in most other places in Scotland, so there is clearly much more to talk about.

“And the more we discuss subjects that were onces considered taboo, the easier it is for people suffering to realise that it’s ok not to be ok.

“We facilitate this conversation in communities throughout the north of Scotlandwith our work in schools, sports clubs and associations and businesses.

“And our text based support, and individual and group face-to-face services, allows those struggling with their mental health and suicidal thoughts to be heard too.”

The Speaking of Suicide podcast features high profile guests – musicians, sportspeople, professioals and campaigners – discussing their experiences of mental health and suicide, with frank and honest discussions about the ways in which it has impacted their lives. Guests in the recent season have included:

Gary Innes – International shinty legend, BBC Radio Scotland presenter and acclaimed musician Gary Innes was 16 years old when one of his friends took their own life. Over the next 20 years, a further five of his Lochaber Shinty Club teammates would do the same thing. Today, Gary is trying to talk as much as possible about mental health, about remembering that it is ok not to be ok, that there is no shame or stigma, and there should be no silence. In this episode, Dan Holland speaks to Gary about his teammates and what he feels the world of shinty should be doing to help further support players and their families.

Russell Mullen – Imagine you are a cancer doctor who starts to worry that you too have cancer, but that worry grows into an all-consuming obsession. Sounds like a version of hell but that’s just what happened to Russell, who talks to Pennie.  We don’t often hear from doctors about their own health problems, but in this episode, we hear and open and honest chat about what it feels like to become mentally ill when you’re a healthcare specialist.

Mike McCarthy – The Baton of Hope – Mike McCarthy’s son wrote a farewell letter. Ross asked his dad to campaign for better mental health support for people like him: people in need. That was all Mike needed to pick up the baton and devote himself to developing one of the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiatives the UK has ever seen – The Baton of Hope. Dan Holland talks to Mike about Ross and the aim of The Baton of Hope to create a society where suicide and suicide prevention are openly and widely discussed.

Kev Stacy – Respite Rides with 42 Cycling – Dan Holland joins Kev Stacey from Inverness’s 42 Cycling to explore the benefits of the wide-open environment on our mental health. Former Black Watch soldier Kev takes Dan on a #RespiteRide and along the way talks about his experiences of being injured in Iraq by an IED. The aftermath of the attack led Kev to struggling with his mental health and a gambling addiction. It was the power of the bike that helped him pull himself back from the dark places that came in the aftermath of his injuries. Today, he is using his experiences and love of cycling to help other people with their own mental health.

Speaking of Suicide is hosted by Pennie Stuart and Dan Holland, and is produced for Mikeysline by Adventurous Audio.

Mikeysline announces partnership with Michaels Culinary School to provide online workshops to the public, and promote good mental health through food, and develop cooking skills. 

Michaels Culinary School, a new online and in-person culinary school launched by CEOs Michael Fallows and Connor Rae in 2021 as a Social Enterprise, announces a collaboration with grassroots mental health and suicide prevention charity Mikeysline (SC046574). The School has been in talks with a local GP to be a contributor for social prescription, who will refer patients to the School to learn new skills, engage in the community, and pursue a healthy lifestyle using the replicable and affordable recipes produced and taught by Michaels Culinary School Chef Connor Rae.

Mikeysline provides text-based support via a multitude of social media platforms during evenings and weekends for people across the Highlands and Moray struggling with their mental health. The charity also provides drop-in and one-to-one in-person support, as well as collaborating with schools and workforces to provide educational activities and workshops.

Online workshops with Michael’s Culinary School will cover several classic dishes and encourage attendees to build confidence in the kitchen from the comfort of their own home. The workshop collaboration will launch in the week beginning 10^th October 2022- World Mental Health Day, and a number of places on the workshop have been reserved for the benefit of Mikeysline- volunteers and service users. The School will provide codes for Mikeysline to use as vouchers when they apply to join the classes via the Schools website, michaelsculinaryschool.co.uk. The School provides a list of ingredients and equipment, and a link to join the online workshop. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the workshops as well, and can book a place in the same way.

Mikeysline has recently welcomed consultant nutritional scientist and visiting contributor Kerstin Eickhoff-Piechaczek from Germany. Kerstin will be attending some of the workshops with Connor to facilitate friendly and informative conversations about the relationships between food and mental health in a number of the workshops.

Katie Melville, Fundraising Manager for Mikeysline said: “We were delighted to be approached by Michaels Culinary School to benefit from their online workshop programme. Their vision as a social enterprise to encourage people in our community to learn new skills and prepare fresh, healthy and affordable meals for themselves is appropriately timed as the cost of living continues to affect all of us. By being able to signpost our service users to Michaels Culinary School we can encourage people meet and talk to others, learn something new, and prepare a fresh healthy meal.”

Michael Fallows, CEO of Michaels Culinary School, said: “Michaels Culinary School was setup with the help and support of my Grandad who sadly took his own life in January 2022 due to poor mental health. I want to use this opportunity with Mikeysline to make sure that they can continue the work and support that they provide to the local community, and to make sure that people know its ok not to be ok.”

5 things you can do to support your mental health

Monday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day, which provides an opportunity for people to talk about mental health and the importance of reaching out and looking after it – with this year’s theme being “make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.”

One in four people experience a mental health problem at least once in their life, whether that is anxiety, stress or simply feeling as if it’s all getting too much. But what little things can you do to try and make yourself feel better?

1. Reach out to someone you trust

Although many people struggle with their emotional and mental health on a daily basis, only a fraction feel able to talk about it. Reaching out can do the world of good. Find someone you trust, perhaps a friend or family member, and let them know that you’re struggling. Simply talking through a situation can feel like a massive weight is being lifted off your shoulders.

Spending time with a loved one can also have a positive effect on your mood, reducing feelings of loneliness and helping you feel like you have a greater sense of belonging.

Why not call up a friend and ask if they’d like to meet for a coffee or go for a walk?

2. Look for ways to reduce stress

Feeling stressed is incredibly common and is something that many experience in their day-to-day lives. Half of people working in the UK say they feel very stressed at work and 60% of young people say they feel stressed by the pressure to succeed. Although it’s typical to feel stressed on the odd occasion, if you’re regularly experiencing stress it can lead to physical, emotional and mental strain on the body – causing headaches, stomach aches and further mental health issues.

It’s important to find ways to manage your stress, whether that is taking a break whenever you’re in a particularly stressful situation or finding ways to switch off and do something you enjoy. This could be going for a walk, listening to music or a podcast, or reading a book.

It’s all the little things that add up to make a big difference.

3. Look after your physical health

Looking after your physical health can have a massive impact on your mental health. How are you treating yours?

Our bodies and minds are connected, so when you’re looking after one of them, it can benefit the other.

It’s important to ensure you’re getting enough sleep each night, eating a balanced diet which includes fruit, vegetables and whole foods (not forgetting the odd treat), and you’re staying active.

Although physical activity can seem overwhelming you don’t need to run a marathon to benefit your health. Try doing a little bit of movement every day, whether that is going to the gym, dancing around your house or going for a walk around your garden.

4. Spend time outdoors

Nature is incredibly healing, with studies showing that spending time outdoors has a positive effect on mental health and reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.

Take a walk to your closest wooded area, sit in your garden or buy a plant for your home and take a moment to breathe. Tune your senses into what’s around you. What can you smell? What can you see? What can you hear?

5. Get in touch with an organisation like Mikeysline

Finally, if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t forget to reach out to an organisation like Mikeysline. We’re here to listen and support you no matter what the issue is, however big or small.

Get in touch via our text and multimedia support line, book a face-to-face appointment or get in touch with one of the organisations listed here on our website.

Remember, it’s ok not to be ok.
If you need someone to talk to, please text us via SMS at 07786 207755, through WhatsApp at 01463 729000, or contact us via Messenger, webchat or Twitter.

Highland News & Media choose Mikeysline as their charity for 2022/23

The staff of Highland News and Media have voted for Mikeysline to be its 2022-23 Charity of the Year, and have pledged to raise as much money as they can over the coming 12 months.

Emily Stokes, chief executive of Mikeysline, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that staff at Highland News and Media have chosen Mikeysline as their charity this year and we hope to use this tremendous opportunity to talk generally about mental health and wellbeing and suicide prevention as well as the support that is available for people of all ages.

“Only by talking about these subjects openly can we help others to feel more able to reach out for support when they most need it without fear of judgement or stigma. It’s ok not to be ok, but when we are not ok, talking about it with people we trust and reaching out for support can make a huge difference to our lives and others around us.

 “At Mikeysline we are always striving to develop and expand our services further and as well as providing individual support, we work with schools, businesses and offer group support.

“As a charity, we ultimately rely on fundraising. We have been so lucky and are so grateful for the amazing support that we have received as a grass roots charity since 2015 and are always looking for new ideas and options to raise awareness and funds with individuals, groups and businesses.”

If you can support the charity in any way, you can get in touch at enquiries@ mikeysine.co.uk if you would like to work them or can help get key messages out in local communities. Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website (www. mikeysline.co.uk).

Mikeysline also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide with Adventurous Audio, and will be launching a new series over the next few weeks.

Darrel Paterson, business development manager and charity champion with Highland News and Media, said:

“We are passionate about our communities and our Community Social Responsibility. “Each year we ask our employees to vote for our charity of the year, and it is with great pride that that Mikeysline will be benefactor from September 2022 to September 2023.

“Given the challenges we have faced over the last few years and with the cost-of-living crisis, it is imperative that charities like Mikeysline get the support they need to be able to be there to offer support for when people need it.”

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention day, and Darrel says everyone at HNM is keen to use this opportunity to raise awarness of the work that Mikeysline does. He added:

“Our team will be working on a series of fundraising events and challenges to support that charity, and we would welcome our readers to join us in supporting them.” 

For more information visit www.mikeysline. co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Reflections on the importance of volunteering on World Suicide Prevention Day

George talks about his work as a volunteer for World Suicide prevention day.

Mikeysline is a Highlands and Moray charity which is saving lives with its vital work. CHRIS SAUNDERSON talks to one volunteer about his work with the award-winning charity organisation.

George King has been a volunteer for five years. HELPING someone at a time of crisis in their life is one of the most rewarding and altruistic things you could do. George King has been a volunteer with Mikeysline for nearly five years. He was prompted to get involved with the charity after the death of an 18-year-old friend to suicide. When he learned of the charity and its vision to support people at risk of taking their own life, George became a volunteer aged just 19.

“The most important thing is to listen to people. It can take a while to get it out of them and reassure them that this is a safe place to talk about anything,” he said. “It gives me great pleasure in knowing somebody has texted and they have reached out to communicate their problems, because that is one of the hardest things in the world to do when you are in a deep, dark pit.”

Mikeysline was founded in 2015 after a tragic number of suicides in the Highland area. It now also provides support to people in Moray and further afield. Its text-based support includes SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Webchat and Twitter. It also runs The Hive, mental health and crisis support centres, with 1:1 appointments and drop-in. And in 2021 it launched a Young Person’s Service to support young people.

George said a call or text message to Mikeysline can be the first step down the road to mental health recovery. Volunteers with the charity will listen to each individual and point them in the right direction to get extra support and help. The crucial thing is to be personable, added George, and take time to listen to the person, and understand how they are feeling.

“There was one woman who texted in and I called the police because I was worried about her. She texted back the next day to say I had saved her life. “We all have our problems and sometimes we can make them bigger, in our own heads, than they are. It just takes someone else to say ‘things are not as bad as they seem’.”

George provided textline support and face to face peer help at Mikeysline’s Hive when he first started as a volunteer. The business solutions adviser with the University of the Highlands and Islands, still helps out several times a month with the charity and is one of its longest serving volunteers. “We have a lot more volunteers now and the work is shared out among them.”

Double awards triumph for Mikeysline highlights importance of mental health support in rural areas

A charity offering mental health and suicide prevention services in the Highlands and Moray has scooped two major awards, highlighting the need for wellbeing support in remote and rural communities.

Mikeysline scooped the Reducing Vulnerability Award through Third Sector Activity at the Highland Third Sector Interface Awards – just a week after being named Best Third Sector Organisation at the Highland Business Women Awards.

CEO Emily Stokes said: “To be recognised for the work we are doing in the Highlands and Moray is incredible and a real testament to the hard work of our volunteers and staff who give their time and energy to support their communities.

“However, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. It’s a sad fact that suicide rates are higher in the Highlands than in most other regions of the UK. There is still so much to be done to reach rural and remote communities that don’t currently have easy access to support services in addition to the areas where we already provide support.

“We are addressing this by partnering with football clubs, other sports clubs and organisations like the Camanachd Association, to bring our messages and services to the heart of rural communities where sports form a core part of their community identity.

“It is so important to us to spread the message that it’s OK not to be OK, and that help is available in whatever form it is most accessible to people in distress – whether that is by text or face-to-face.”

Mikeysline is committed to breaking down the barriers and stigma surrounding conversations on mental health and suicide. As the first UK charity to offer text-based mental health support, it has continued to innovate in its delivery of support – now offering face-to-face sessions in four Hives across the north of Scotland, as well as running dedicated group support sessions.

Members of the Mikeysline team celebrating at the HTSI Awards night. Pictured (l-r) are Bonnie McColl, office manager; Donna Smith, chair; support workers Maria Kelly, Donna Brady, and Emilie Roy; and Emily Stokes, CEO.

Judges at the Highland Third Sector Interface Awards commented: “Mikeysline are committed to supporting people of all ages in Highland and breaking down the stigma of mental health issues through innovative means.” 

Mikeysline has spent considerable effort engaging with rural communities through partnerships with the likes of the Camanachd Association, allowing the charity to spread its message to the heart of remote areas where mental health support and wellbeing resources are scarce.

The charity has also partnered with pupils and teachers in dozens of schools across the Highlands and Moray, providing in-school support and fundraising activities to increase awareness and help young people through difficult times in their lives.

The Highland Business Women Awards judges also noted: “The growth and innovation delivered by Mikeysline is inspirational. From the introduction of Hives and youth champions, to increased social media interaction and growing partnerships with the local business community – the team at Mikeysline have developed something very special, which is breaking down barriers and making a fundamental difference in this vital area.”

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website.

The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide; works closely with teachers and pupils in schools across the north of Scotland; and offers face-to-face support in four Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, Tesco in Tain, The Place in Alness, and now the Highland Yoga Collective in Nairn. Here, service users can engage in one-to-one support or join in group sessions.

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.