140. Michael Barrows: On Youth Mental Health and the Importance of Hobbies for Mental Health

Psykhe Mental Wellbeing Podcast

In this episode, we're joined by Michael Barrows. Michael is currently a Therapist with a Childrens Mental Health Service in West Yorkshire. He has been working with children and families for over 12 years via different organisations. He also provides easy to understand training around mental health subjects, particularly understanding anxiety, depression and self harm in young people, though this is also applicable to adults. The focus is not about being overly academic but more thinking about metaphors and everyday situations to explain how each element works.

Michael is starting a new venture looking at the value of hobbies and how their positive impact on mental health, but also what stops us from starting something new? How sometimes our thoughts can talk us out of making positive changes.

In this episode, we explore:

• why hobbies are beneficial for mental health
• the impact of lockdown on mental health
• warning signs for young people's mental health
• what to do if you're concerned about a young person's mental health
• emotional bucket
• healthy coping strategies
  and loads more.

Mentioned in this episode

• TED Talk - Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
  

You can connect with Michael via Twitter or via his website

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Thanks for listening!

Hannah & the Psykhe Podcast team x

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