Peter believes that we all at the very least know someone who has been indirectly or directly affected by suicide- he shares candidly his own experience here.

He also talks about the ongoing charity and prevention initiatives he is involved in.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.

We talk with Will Hay discussing an early onset of a kind of epilepsy "Complex Partial Seizures" and what would be called autism today.

He discusses his brain surgery, removing a part the size of a golf ball (!) , but that improved his cognitive function dramatically.

We discuss suicide prevention, and how it has happened in other cases who were similar to Will, and his reliance on and support of his family.

We talk about the necessity of reaching out and talking, and how the "tough guy" attitude simply does not work.

We talk about styles of unhelpful thinking for example "All or Nothing", if I can't do it well it's best not to do it at all, Mental Filter - focussing on our failures not our successes. There are many - these are used in CBT, a common and effective treatment.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.

Meet Harry Biggs Davidson, who tragically lost his own son to suicide in 2015.

It obviously affects everyone in the close family, indeed anyone who knew that person - here we talk to Harry and we find out how he has moved on with his life.

He is Chair of the charity Papyrus who support, equip and influence individuals, groups and communities to prevent suicide in young people.

Listen to his fascinating testimony here.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.

Meet Matt Johnson , a former police officer, who has years of uniform and plain clothes policing.

From time to time he was actively involved in stopping someone committing suicide.

"People don't really want to die, they just want the pain to stop"

Listen to his fascinating and useful perspective here.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.

In this episode we follow the story of Marina who has faced more challenges than most of us will face in a lifetime.

She is a testament to the power of resilience, through all the ups and downs she has experienced.

And spoiler alert, there is a happy ending.

There is always hope. However small.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.

Welcome to the Blue Bench mental health podcast.

This episode is very close  to the heart of the interviewees indeed to anyone that has been affected by suicide.

Wendy tragically lost her son to suicide- if you too have been affected sometimes it is comforting to know you are not alone - it is the nature of situations like this to feel very alone, but the truth is you are not.

Listen to their journey, and the quiet determination that this loss will not be in vain, and that something positive can come out of this - share in the legacy they are leaving.

If you have been affected by anything you heard on this podcast, CLICK HERE for a list of helpful resources.