Small Talk, Big Change

Youth unemployment in the UK stands at around 14 per cent, with nearly a million young people not in education, employment or training. In this episode, we hear from young people Aaron, Maya and Marcus about the reality of trying to find work. We also hear from practitioners Nike Oruh from Edinburgh Napier University and Karolyn Daye-Collis from All Minds. From the pressure to know what you want a...

Around one in five young people in the UK report being bullied - most commonly for their appearance or identity. But what does that actually feel like? In this episode, we hear from young people Aaron, Alex, Chloe, Marcus and Maya about their experiences of bullying and discrimination. We also hear from practitioners Nike Oruh from Edinburgh Napier University, Karolyn Daye-Collis from All Minds, a...

Nearly 95% of UK teenagers are on social media. But what's it actually like? In this episode, we hear from young people Aaron, Alex, Chloe, Freya, Marcus and Maya about life online. We also hear from practitioners Karolyn Daye-Collis from All Minds and Dr Irene Warner-Mackintosh from the Mhor Collective. From finding community and managing anxiety, to broken algorithms and the pressure to be p...

In the second of a 2-part episode, presenter Ravideep Kaur explores the challenges faced by refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant families in accessing healthcare and raising children in a new culture. In this episode, she focuses on the challenges of language barriers and parenting in an unfamiliar culture You will hear the additional voices of Amma Birth Companions mothers and CEO Maree Aldam, Mar...

In the first of a 2-part episode, presenter Ravideep Kaur explores the challenges faced by refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant families in accessing healthcare and raising children in a new culture. In this episode, she focuses on the impact of racism and microaggressions on families accessing services. You will hear the additional voices of Amma Birth Companions mothers and CEO Maree Aldam, Maryh...

Presenter Tim Street explores what young people need to better support their mental health at home and in school.  You will hear the additional voices of Teacher Kerry Russell, librarian and parent Jane and student Natasha and ex-headteacher, and Head of Service for SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) Billy Burke. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, visit...

In today's episode, we're going to explore the topic of parental mental health and co-regulation with insights from parents, organisations and charities MindMosaic Child and Family Therapy, and Dad's Rock and children's mental health expert Laura Earnshaw. This is a crucial area that affects every family, yet it's one that's often overlooked or misunderstood. We'll be d...

**This version of Small Talk, Big Change called Together to Thrive contains no music or sound design**  In this episode of Small Talk Big Change, we explore the complex and often misunderstood topic of neurodiversity and the challenges faced by families navigating long waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, or CAMHS. The episode will explore an innovative task-sharing appro...

In this episode, we dive into the importance of play and creativity beyond the early years. Our society often associates play and creativity with young children, but what impact does play have as children grow older? How can engaging in the arts impact mental health and wellbeing? To explore these questions, we've gathered a panel of experts from various organisations dedicated to supporting c...

In this episode of Small Talk Big Change, we explore the complex and often misunderstood topic of neurodiversity and the challenges faced by families navigating long waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, or CAMHS. The episode will explore an innovative task-sharing approach being pioneered in Dundee, Scotland, called Together to Thrive with insight from Dr. Johnny Graham,...

In this episode of Small Talk, Big Change, we explore the crucial role of "the village" in supporting mothers during the perinatal period. Through stories from young parents' support base at Smithycroft Secondary School and Amma Birth Companions, and Childrens Mental Health Expert Laura Earnshaw, we delve into the impact of stigma, isolation, and mental health challenges. The episode...

Small Talk, Big Change is a new podcast series from Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, exploring what it takes to create a society where children and families can truly thrive. We'll discover how early intervention and support can help prevent mental health problems from developing later in life.