Local NHS teams up with TV Personality, Dr Ranj Singh, to launch a new mental health awareness podcast

This week, 15 to 21 May 2023, is Mental Health Awareness Week, to mark the occasion, Dr Ranj Singh, NHS doctor and national TV personality, has teamed up with healthcare professionals at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to record a new ‘Think which service?’ podcast to talk about mental health, how it affects our daily lives and help signpost people to local services.

Dr Singh – NHS Doctor and BAFTA Award-Winning Presenter – will host the ‘Think mental health’ podcast and will be joined by mental health experts Alison Bussey, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, who started her career as a mental health nurse, and Caroline Dugen-Williams, a Consultant Psychological Therapist and the Clinical Lead for NHS Talking Therapies in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

The podcast explores a range of topics related to mental health, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness. During the podcast the experts share tangible tools to help listeners and signpost them to local mental health services. As well as discussing how mental health services need to evolve to adapt to the change in our populations need.

The ‘Think mental health’ podcast is now available to listen to here.

Dr Ranj Singh, commented: “I’m thrilled to be involved in this podcast series from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we aim to empower residents to stay well and increase awareness of local health services, helping to ensure they are using the right service at the right time.

“In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, I am particularly excited about our latest episode. We delve into a subject close to my heart, emphasising the significance of open conversations and connections in nurturing our mental well-being.

“I invite you to join me and my esteemed guests in the latest podcast, where we explore strategies for improving mental well-being, discuss some of the misconceptions about mental health and explain what support is available locally for people struggling with their mental health”.

Alison Bussey, Chief Nursing Office at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “Mental Health Awareness Week is a great reminder to prioritise our mental wellbeing. We encourage everyone who is struggling with their mental health such as anxiety or depression to reach out for support whether that is talking with a family member, a friend or a local service such as NHS Talking Therapies in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin or the Samaritans.”

“During the ‘Think mental health’ podcast we discuss the relationship between good physical and mental health, as well as strategies people can put in place to build resilience and help manage their mental health, as well as signposting to local services. I hope you enjoy listening to it.”

The ‘Think mental health’ podcast is the last podcast of a four-part podcast series, first launched back in April. The series aims to encourage residents to seek the right care, at the right time, in the right place. They focus on the importance of local community pharmacies and the range of services they offer, self-care and digital health. You can find them all here.

Anyone who is struggling with their mental health can access help and support through their GP, NHS Talking Therapies (available online in Shropshire and in Telford & Wrekin visit www.nhs.uk/talk or call 0300 123 3020 / 01952 457 415 between 9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) or a recognised Mental Health Charity such as MIND. If you have seriously harmed yourself or are considering this, call 999 or ask someone to call 999 for you.

For information about a range of local mental health and wellbeing services, please click visit: www.shropshiretelfrodandwrekin.nhs.net