Mental health problems are extremely common – it is estimated that 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives. Yet so many of us still view these illnesses as a weakness or a personal failure.

On this week’s episode, I sit down with best-selling author and one of the most prominent voices in the mental health arena, Matt Haig, to talk about all things related to mental health. We discuss how society’s understanding of mental health can be very limited and often very toxic and how talking about it and understanding the different textures that exist under its banner is essential.

We explore the pressures put on us by modern society, how workplace cultures affect our mental health, and the need to teach our children about mental health.

As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, Matt shares his own personal journey and explains how he finds optimism in dark places. Finally, Matt shares his top tips on improving the way that you feel.

This is an open, honest and really important conversation – I hope you enjoy it!

Further reading:

• The Guardian – Matt Haig: ‘I wanted to end it all, but surviving and thriving is the lesson I pass on’
• The Guardian – Matt Haig: ‘I kept thinking, can’t my own mental health advice help me?’
• The Telegraph – Matt Haig: teach children about mental health as readily as road safety
• The Irish Times – Matt Haig: How to survive in this age of anxiety
• The Guardian – Matt Haig: ‘You can go to the dark place and find the optimism in it’
• The Guardian – Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig – how to survive the 21st century
• Get Surrey – ‘It was ruining weekends’: Matt Haig on Twitter addiction and how social media is transforming society
• Huffington Post – What Works For Me: Author Matt Haig On Practising Yoga In His Kids’ Bedrooms To Relieve Anxiety