Paul Golder writes for the Brentwood Gazette
As a community radio station we’ve always tried to feature mental health subjects all year round – it’s such an important issue in our everyday lives and people need the opportunity to speak out and talk about their experiences.
Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week and our Drive presenter Stewart Pink compiled a special 2 hour show, with local people sharing their tips for better mental health.
There’s a huge range of local people and features involved – over 25 in total – including Kelly O’Donoghue who is running a campaign called “Our Stories In Our Words” – producing a powerful documentary that tells the stories and experiences of real people living with mental health conditions in their own words.
Stewart put the feature together with his co-host Tom Morgan who is a student at Writtle College and has just finished his first session of work experience with us.
Stewart and Tom aren’t the only ones who have been recording special features for Mental Health Awareness Week. Daren Mootoo spoke to former England cricketer Monty Panesar about his well-documented issues; Patrick Sherring discussed the matter with Katherine from Kids Inspire; and Phoenix Sport presenter John Chubb spoke to Chris Phillips about a charity football match at Southend United in memory of former club captain Chris Barker, who sadly took his own life a couple of years ago.
All of the interviews can be heard again at www.phoenixfm.com.