Mike McCarthy is a seasoned UK journalist who made his mark at the BBC and Sky News, tackling some of the most gripping stories of our time. After the heartbreaking loss of his son Ross to suicide, Mike shifted his focus from journalism to becoming a passionate mental health advocate. He’s now on a mission to raise awareness and support those struggling with mental health issues, drawing from his personal experiences to drive meaningful change.

In this episode, Kerrie sits down with Mike for a touching and open conversation about grief, community, and mental health. Mike shares the gut-wrenching story of losing his son Ross to suicide and how that tragedy spurred him into action. They chat about various initiatives Mike's involved in, like the "Baton of Hope" campaign, which aims to spotlight suicide prevention, and the Talk Clubs he's helped set up across the UK. These clubs provide a welcoming space for men to talk openly about their feelings. Mike emphasizes the need for more open dialogue about mental health and sheds light on the pressing issue of suicide, advocating for societal change and better support systems.

Sheffield Talk Club: https://www.swfccp.co.uk/talk-club

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Thank you for listening to Humans of HOPE: Inspiring Stories with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an inspiring speaker and supporter of her community. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

If you'd like to donate to the Kintsugi Heroes mission, head to https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (business@mbpod.com)

General Support: Ian Westmoreland (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au)