Discussing Mental Health

31/10/2026

DISCUSSIONS WE NEED TO HAVE | EPISODE 03

GASLIGHTING.... THE REAL HORROR STORY | HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 👻👹🎃

The scariest monsters don't always wear masks.

In this episode, we explore gaslighting, psychological manipulation, its impact on mental health, the warning signs and why recognising emotional abuse matters.

At Discussing Mental Health, we believe awareness is the first step towards prevention.

💚 Not all abuse leaves visible scars.

30/10/2026

29/10/2026

BBC UPLOAD LONDON | PART 03 OF 03 - OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE 💚

We're excited to share the final part of our Founder and CEO Stephanie Bashford's interview with Alice Dale on BBC Upload London. In Part 3, Stephanie discusses the future of Discussing Mental Health, our commitment to expanding holistic, preventative wellbeing programmes, and our vision for making mental health support more accessible through talking therapies, physical activity, creative arts and music.

This three-part interview offers just a brief insight into Stephanie's personal journey and the experiences that shaped our organisation. The full, untold story will be revealed at an upcoming live theatre event in London, in spring 2027, where Stephanie will share her journey in greater depth. More details about this special event will be announced soon.

Thank you for following our three-part BBC interview series and supporting our mission to create meaningful change in mental health and wellbeing.

29/10/2026

🎙️ BBC UPLOAD LONDON | PART 02 OF 03 💚

We're excited to share Part 2 of our Founder and CEO Stephanie Bashford's interview with Alice Dale on BBC Upload London. In this episode, Stephanie reflects on turning personal adversity into purpose, the challenges of building Discussing Mental Health and her determination to create meaningful change through preventative, holistic wellbeing support. Stay tuned for Part 3!

29/10/2026

🎙️ BBC UPLOAD LONDON | PART 01 OF 03 💚

We're excited to share Part 1 of our Founder and CEO Stephanie Bashford's interview with on BBC Upload London, recorded at the studios. Stephanie shares the personal experiences that inspired the creation of Discussing Mental Health and the mission behind our organisation. This is the first of three parts, with Parts 2 and 3 coming soon!

29/10/2026

DISCUSSING MENTAL HEALTH AT BBC LONDON STUDIOS! 💚

A huge thank you to Alice Dale and BBC Upload London for welcoming our Founder and CEO, Stephanie Bashford, to the BBC London studios and providing her with the opportunity to share her personal journey and the story behind Discussing Mental Health.

Born from personal experiences of loss, adversity and a determination to address the gaps in accessible mental health support, Discussing Mental Health has evolved into an organisation committed to changing how we approach mental health and wellbeing.

During the interview, Stephanie spoke openly about the experiences that inspired her to establish the organisation, the challenges she has faced along the way, and her determination to turn personal adversity into meaningful change.

She also discussed our vision for the future of Discussing Mental Health and our commitment to developing holistic, preventative wellbeing programmes that bring together talking therapies, physical activity, creative arts and music.

At Discussing Mental Health, we recognise that mental health is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone's experiences, circumstances and pathways to recovery are different. Our mission is to create more accessible, inclusive and preventative approaches that recognise the importance of supporting the whole person.

We are incredibly grateful to Alice Dale and the BBC Upload London team for providing a platform to share our story, raise awareness and highlight why early intervention, community connection and meaningful conversations matter.

🎙️ The full interview is coming next! As the recording is too long to share alongside these photographs, we will be publishing the show separately in our next post.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our journey as we work towards expanding our programmes and creating more opportunities for people to access preventative mental health support.

Because every conversation has the potential to create change. 💚

🌐 www.discussingmentalhealth.com

29/10/2026

Discussing Mental Health is on BBC Radio London tonight!

Our founder, Stephanie Bashford, will be joining Alice Dale on BBC Upload to talk about the story behind DMH, her personal journey, and our mission to get more people talking openly about mental health.

From a podcast started in a bedroom to creating spaces for conversation, creativity, and connection, we’re excited to share what’s driving our work and where we’re heading.

📻 BBC Radio London | BBC Upload

🗓️ Tonight, Thursday 29 October

⏰ 7:15-7:35pm

🎧 Tune in through BBC Sounds.

Thank you BBC Upload Alice Dale BBC London for inviting us to share our story.

26/10/2026

DISCUSSIONS WE NEED TO HAVE | EPISODE 02

𝙒𝙃𝙔 𝘿𝙊 𝙒𝙀 𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙎?

"Why didn't you just leave?"

"Why didn't you speak up sooner?"

"Why can't you just move on?"

We've all heard these questions, haven't we...

But what we don't always consider is the psychological impact emotional abuse can have on someone.

Manipulation, gaslighting and repeated criticism can gradually affect a person's confidence, self-worth and ability to trust their own judgement.

And yet, when someone finally speaks openly, the conversation can quickly shift from what they 𝙀𝙓𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀𝘿 to how they 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙀𝘿.

We need to get better at listening, not just questioning.

💚 Listen without judgement.

💚 Be mindful of the language you use.

💚 Recognise that trauma affects people differently.

💚 Respect people's boundaries and experiences.

Supporting someone doesn't mean making assumptions. It means creating space for honest conversations, empathy and understanding.

At 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, we're continuing our educational series exploring emotional abuse, mental health and recovery.

Because education is part of prevention, and sometimes changing the conversation starts with simply listening.

💬 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙚?

Join the conversation below.

24/10/2026

Discussing Mental Health is taking the conversation to the streets.

Following our latest milestone, securing an upcoming London theatre slot with Andy Simpson "A Human Story", we’re bringing our discussions to members of the public, creating space for honest conversations about how we’re really feeling.

Leading this new project is Louis Wicks-Stephens, a former teacher, wellbeing lead and theatre maker. Louis brings experience in creating supportive spaces and an understanding of how difficult it can be to talk about mental health. He’ll be asking questions, listening to your stories and opening up conversations that deserve to be heard.

We’re starting with a simple question: “Are you really okay?”

Look out for Louis with his microphone and signature DMH cap, coming to a town or city near you! 💚