Episode 16: Claire Sugden MLA
In this insightful interview, Claire Sugden shares her journey from a young politician to a mental health advocate, discussing her personal experiences with anxiety, postnatal mental health, and the urgent need for better mental health services in Northern Ireland. Discover her perspectives on trauma, gendered experiences, and the importance of community support in fo
Episode 15: The Níamh Louise Foundation
This interview with Catherine and her team at the Niamh Louise Foundation explores the origins of the foundation, the impact of suicide on families, and the importance of mental health support and intervention. It highlights personal stories, community efforts, and the need for ongoing awareness and funding.
The Níamh Louise Foundation: The Story Behind the Charity That Northern Ireland Needs to Know
From Left to Right: Grainne, Shauna, Jenny & Catherine McBennett, at The Níamh Louise Foundation new premises, Cookstown
Is Northern Ireland’s Mental Health System Beyond Repair? Gerry Carroll MLA Speaks Out
Northern Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in the UK. Yet the data that would show the full scale of the crisis, mental health waiting lists, remains unpublished by the government. In the latest episode of JustMentalTalk, People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll sits down with JustMental for a conversation that is as […]
Episode 14: Gerry Carroll MLA – People Before Profit
In this insightful interview, Gerry Carroll, MLA from People Before Profit, discusses the complexities of mental health, suicide prevention, and the political landscape in Northern Ireland. He highlights the importance of effective All Party Groups, the impact of societal issues on mental health, and the need for systemic change to support vulnerable populations.
Social Media Ban Rejected Again: Starmer Summons Big Tech, But Where Are the Consequences?
Yesterday, MPs voted for the second time against banning social media for under-16s. The result was 256 to 150, a majority of 106 in favour of the government’s position. The Lords had backed the ban twice. The Commons has now rejected it twice. The bill that sparked this debate, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, […]
PMDD: What It Is, Why the System Keeps Getting It Wrong, and Why It Matters for Mental Health
This week, Vicky Pattison appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about her Channel 4 documentary, Vicky Pattison Investigates: Medical Misogyny. She described waiting five years for a diagnosis. She described suicidal thoughts, crippling anxiety, and exhaustion that doctors dismissed as normal period symptoms. She described being told, by medical professionals, that
Social Media Ban for Under-16s: MPs Vote for the Third Time, and Children Are Still Waiting
Today, the House of Commons votes on banning social media for under-16s. Again. This is the third time in three months that Parliament has returned to this question. The Lords have backed a ban twice. The Commons rejected it once. And today, with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill back on the parliamentary schedule, the […]
Tell Us Once: Why People with Mental Health Problems Shouldn’t Have to Repeat Themselves
A landmark report published last month calls for a ‘Share Once’ data sharing system so people with mental health conditions can disclose their needs to essential services without having to start from scratch every single time. The government had plans. Those plans stalled. JustMental thinks it’s time to say that plainly. The Problem Nobody Should [&h
Episode 13: Aislinn Byrne – Volunteer Now
In this episode, Aislinn Byrne from Volunteer Now discusses the broad scope of volunteering in Northern Ireland, its benefits for mental health, and how it can support career development and community building. Share with someone who needs to hear this! Volunteering is *so much more* than what you think! It’s not just about sorting clothes […]