You alright pal?

Here at You Alright Pal? We're changing up the Podcast by looking at a different format, and ways we will discuss mental health. We're opening up the discussions for everyone to talk about Mental Health, to explore how mental health affects everyone in their day to day life’s.

On this very special episode of YAP? (At the time of recording) I chat to my sister about her previous role as a learning disability community charge nurse. Julie talks about her job role, the challenges patients may face having a disability and mental health. We discuss how being a mother has helped her understand Mens mental health and what she can do to support her sons. Julie is honest about her own mental health struggles when having children and now at a time she’s menopausal. This is an honest and frank conversation, which will resinate with our listeners. All I can say is any brother who has a sister like Julie is a very lucky man.

Part 2 of James McCracken’s podcast we talk about fatherhood, coming out, and living with complex ptsd. James tells us the reason for seeking therapy, the issues arising from living with ptsd and using coping mechanisms. We also chat about how supportive his ex partner Nat has been throughout his journey and how his little boy will always be the first and foremost person in making sure they can co parent to give him safety, stability and security as this was something James didn’t have as a child. We also have a laugh about our own friendship and the banter flows easy 🤙🏻 Thank you to James for being a guest and we hope you enjoy part 2 of the episode ♥️

This weeks episode of you alright pal with James McCacken is split into 2 parts. In the first part, James tells us about the trauma of sexual, physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a child. James talks us through his long career in the army, meeting his sons mother Nat and the bond they share till this day and co parenting to create a stable and loving relationship for their son. We end the episode talking about how parenting has changed James as a man and how is son is now his hero 💜 Check out part 2 of the episode next week.

On the latest episode of "You Alright Pal?", Chris looks back at his twenties, from living in London during the Brexit vote to volunteering in Calais, to experiencing stress, grief and flashbacks in the months and years afterwards. We also talk about the impact of lockdown and unhealthy coping mechanisms, aswell as the importance of community and friendship in getting through challenging experiences, and the ups and downs of coming out. For more information about how to support people in need of refugee protection, visit @scottishrefugeecouncil and @calaisappeal - to name but a few of the many incredible organisations working tirelessly to support refugees. For more information about Chris' time in Calais, visit the blog he kept at the time: chrisafuakwah.com Final shout out to @lgbthealthy for their care and understanding when supporting lgbt+ people in Scotland.

Liam talks about choosen family, being a daddy and breathing techniques good for calming the brain and for bottoming! Liam also discusses how his husband’s near death motorcycle crash took both their lives on a completely different trajectory leading them to set up queer collective @fetishdaddygear. A brand that wants to make Fetish For Every Body! Including Drag race stars, controversial non-binary performers and anyone else who wants to embrace their kinks! We dive deep into threapy, wellness hours, caring for your choosen family and how Pingu memes can be just as good as a length what’s app message. When checking in with those you love!

This week’s guest is one of my pals and we discuss what impact injury had on our mental health, tips on moving to a new city & how our generations treated mental health differently. As you’ll hear, we also go on a fair few tangents as well, actually a lot of tangents! so it’s not all about mental health. So sit back and listen to the good craic & good vibes!

My good friend and absolute menace to me Douglas Taylor is this weeks new guest. On the new episode of “you alright pal” Douglas talks about grief and loss of close family members at a young age, and how this has impacted on life growing.Doug explains how his outlook/approach to coping mechanisms for dealing/understanding how these experiences have affected him. We also talk about the importance of finding close social groups when living away from family as a help providing support networks to help with perspectives of shared experiences for when life gets challenging. I want to thank Doug for being a guest 💜. Producer - William James Episode sponsored by - Heff sports massage

The new episode of season 2 is with my good pal Sean who I’ve known for 2 decades! Sean talks about losing his dad and then finding out he was becoming a father. Sean talks about always wanting a family and we also discuss how he’s continued to be an ally to the lgbtq+ community 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 💜. The episode is a great listen and I want to thank Sean for being a guest! Episode sponsored by IG -@meandhimbarbers please follow! Producer - IG @wjames0991

In the 2nd episode of the new season my friend Harry tells us about graduating as a doctor and we discuss different mental health conditions (which you can tell I’m in my element). We offer advice if you or someone you know suffers from mental health and Harry discusses his own personal struggles he’s had. I can’t thank Harry enough for being a guest. He’s a doctor working on the front line and a good friend 💜 This episode was sponsored by powerthrough clothing. Website - www.powerthrough.co.uk

In the 1st episode of season two, my good pal Gonzalo has decided to publicly disclose his undetectable status in the hopes of breaking down more walls around the stigma surrounding HIV. We discuss how this diagnosis affected his mental health and how others mental health may be impacted. Gonzalo addresses issues not just with stigma, but with the lack of HIV information and how that can affect normalising matters about his undetectable status, which also gets addressed by him in this episode. This is a very deep and emotional episode, but it is necessary for people to understand important issues around this matter. Both me and Gonz hope you find this episode helpful and informative. We hope this episode can help just one person. I want to thank Gonzalo for sharing his story.

As the last episode of season 1, I wanted to answer some questions you sent in. You asked and I answered! I chat about where I grew up, coming out, what coping strategies I use at my lowest/darkest times and much much more. Season 2 will be back very soon! Bigger and better. Thank you all for listening so far and the support I’ve received!

This weeks guest is one of my rugby pals who’s been a supporter from day one. I’d like to welcome William Lang to “you alright pal?” William talks about growing up with self identity issues when coming out the closet, addiction issues, struggling with depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. William explains the power of therapy and setting personal boundaries and I can’t thank him enough for being a guest. We definitely discuss a lot more and I consider William to be a good pal and someone I have a personal connection with. Cheers big man!

This weeks guest is one of my rugby friends, someone I confide in, but also highlight he has the best hair in Scotland. I’d like to welcome David Scott (thereseme - inside joke) to you alright pal? This week david talks about personal identity and coming out at a young age. We discuss experiences when there’s a lack of support in the workplace versus having support to be yourself authentic self in work. David tells us that he’s included in lgbtq+ inclusion in his current job and fights to make sure the community will be heard and supported. We discuss a lot more, and please have a listen to this articulate, well spoken and cracking young man (who’s my adopted son). Thank you David!

My guest this week is Tony Basra who was my PT, mentor and friend. Tony discusses how race, sexuality & environment shaped his mental health during his formative years before speaking about his experience with grief.

This weeks guest Andrew discusses the difficulties neurodivergent people can face in work, life and how everyday situations can quickly become overwhelming. We chat about how poor understanding of neurodivergent conditions can exacerbate mental health challenges. Andrew talks about feelings of isolation, imposter syndrome and anxiety, and how he learned to cope with the challenges of living with a neurodivergent brain.

This new episode is one that shouldn’t be missed and is now available on Spotify and apple (link in bio). This weeks guest is my pal Harrison who I can’t thank enough for choosing my podcast to discuss a very important topic. This week we discuss our mental health, we discuss suicide, suicidal thoughts and ideation. The podcast may be triggering, however we both agree it’s important to discuss openly to end stigma and hopefully we can help people in knowing they’re not alone. Below I’ve included mental health crisis services and how you can access them. Please know you’re never alone and there’s always help. Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87 Samaritans - 116 123 NHS24 - 111 Childline - 0800 1111 Shout Crisis Messenger - Text “YM” to 85258 which is 24/7 Crisis Text Line – Text “Home” to 741741 which is 24/7 Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87 Samaritans - 116 123 NHS24 - 111 Childline - 0800 1111 Shout Crisis Messenger - Text “YM” to 85258 which is 24/7 Crisis Text Line – Text “Home” to 741741 which is 24/7

James talks about the perception of homelessness, opens up about his experience with homelessness and drugs. We discuss how escapism can lead to loss of control in the face of struggling with mental health. James speaks about his outreach work and how life has changed for the better.

On this weeks episode Jim bravely opens up about his issues with depression and how he used rugby as a coping strategy. We discuss our gay awakening’s, medication, talking to friends about mental health and trying to be a fixer to other peoples issues. We discuss much more and we hope you enjoy the episode.

On this weeks episode Darren bravely opens up about his issues with depression and anxiety. We discuss his diagnosis, medication and the difficulty in finding the right support when it’s most needed plus much more.