Production: ​Bear this in Mind Podcast

Episode #: ​One (pilot)

Date of Recording: ​19/04/2020
Time of Recording: ​16:00
Contributors: ​Sophie Blount & Dan Smith
Edited duration: ​10-20 minutes

Script & Running Order:

Item Questions

Pre-Recorded Intro: {insert mp3 here}

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Host to introduce episode & guest:

Hi and welcome to the first ever episode of
‘Bear this in Mind’ a brand new discussion
show where we aim to cover the latest
topics of interest surrounding mental
wellbeing.

In today’s episode I am joined by a good

friend of mine Dan Croxford - Hi Dan! Dan
has been through quite a challenging 12
months managing his own mental wellbeing
so he’ll be sharing his own personal
experiences with us throughout today’s
episode.

With many researchers stating that ‘​Urgent

Studies are Needed​ ​- Effects of lockdown
and of Covid-19 itself could be deep and
long term​’ ​The Guardian Online
we’ll be discussing the impact of the current
pandemic on our mental wellbeing, to what
extent the Government is supporting young
adults and their mental health during these
uncertain times and we’ll also be sharing
some of the ways in which we ourselves
have been trying to sustain a healthy
mindset.

So let’s get started.

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Section One: Scale of the issue
Let’s begin with a quote from ​The Independent
Online​:
‘More than 40 MPs and peers have
appealed to the health secretary to
launch a mass publicity campaign​ ​to
signpost help and to pour cash into mental
health charities providing vital support’
Section Two: Support & Strategies
It is important to highlight that the
Government has acknowledged the huge
impact Covid-19 will and is having on
everyone’s mental wellbeing which has
resulted in an additional ​£5 million being
assigned to leading mental health charities
to expand support services​ ​(N​ ew advice to support
mental health during coronavirus outbreak​)​ but are many
people aware of the support that is on
offer?
Follow up with:
1. Firstly then Dan, why do you think
that it has taken a pandemic like
Covid-19 for a mass number of MPs
to finally recognise the urgency to
provide more mental health support
services for people to access?
2. Do you think that it is far fetched to
say that we are heading into a
mental health pandemic with
regards to the rocketing numbers of
young people suffering with poor
mental health?
3. The health secretary is ​already
under a lot of pressure to improve
NHS provisions for physical health -
do you think that he has the capacity
and resources to also implement
these suggested additional supports
for the nation’s mental health?
*Ensure a balanced discussion is
present at this point*
4. So Dan, I think that you’re happy for
me to share with our viewers that
you yourself have struggled with
sustaining a healthy mental
wellbeing so do you know what
support and advice currently exists
to help young adults like yourself
through the pandemic?
Follow up with:
In your opinion...Is it easily
accessible? Is it useful/effective?
Follow up with:
My own opinion & thoughts
5. What strategies have you tried to
support yourself? Have they
worked?
 The strategies I have implemented to help
with my own mental wellbeing

Outro/Summary/Wind up:

I guess we’ll only see the true impact of

Covid-19 on our mental health months and
maybe years down the line. And only time
will tell as to whether these additional
Government support services have really
made much positive difference for young
adults struggling with their mental health.

I want to finish up today by reminding you

all to have a mindful approach to the current
circumstances. Try your best to keep your
mind in the here and now rather than
panicking about the future, post covid-19.
Because let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how
much we worry about what’s next because
no one knows what that will look like. So in
the meantime…

- Recap some useful strategies:

Structure, routine, exercise,
creative projects, talking & being
upfront about your feelings
- Signpost charities and support
available: ​Samaritans, Every Mind
Matters, Young Minds, Teens in
Crisis

Thanks for tuning in and thank you to Dan

for joining us - remember to give us a like
and subscribe if you enjoyed the show. I’ll
catch you in the next episode where we will
be discussing how owning a pet can help
with our physical and mental wellbeing.
Stay safe.
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Pre-recorded outro {insert mp3 here}

General Stats & Info:

- In 2014, NHS England committed to working towards a more equal response across mental
and physical health and achieving genuine parity of esteem by 2020. Parity of esteem is
defined as valuing mental health equally with physical health. (B​ reaking Point: the crisis in mental health funding)​
- Public Health England launched new mental health campaign via Every Mind Matters
- top 5 tips for maintaining good mental wellbeing
- Leading mental health charities given £5 million to expand support services​ ​(N​ ew advice to
support mental health during coronavirus outbreak​)