"I now recognise I had depression then."

Kenneth and James meet confirmed BDOT Mandy Johnson this week to talk all about mental health. We discuss how things have changed in the sector and society, plus what we can do to improve our awareness and response. Mandy describes her own experiences, speaking openly about how she came through and what she has planned next in her stellar career.

It's a more serious episode to what you're used to, as it should be. Yet we do need to get Kenneth a desk assessment and James a sick bucket.

If you feel someone you work with could do with a coffee and a chat about how things are going we recommend you take a look at the excellent resources on the Mind website listed underneath. You can also find more information on the first aid course mentioned by visiting the Mental Health First Aid site. If you just want to talk to someone about the issues raised in this episode contact the Samaritans any time, from any phone on 116 123 or using the links below.

Our thanks to Mandy for her honesty. You can find her on Twitter and her list of Great Charity Speakers.

www.twitter.com/msmandyj
www.greatcharityspeakers.com

---
You can find us on www.domoregood.uk or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Get in touch if you'd like to feature or star on the show. It goes without saying really but the episodes contains our opinions - essentially things we overheard in meetings, stole from presentations and read in magazines. Thanks for listening.

---

Further Reading

Helping others: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else
Depression: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/about-depression/?o=9109#.XDupClz7S00
Stress: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/?o=10133#.XDuoOVz7S00
Support: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us
Mental Heath First Aid: www.mhfaengland.org