Normalising mental health and the role of adventure in recovery
Putting the fish back in the water: Normalising conversations about mental health and the role of adventure in mental health recovery.
In this podcast, clinician Dr Jen Sherman, is joined by Stu Skinner, expedition leader and founder of charity Changing Horizons. Having survived a previous suicide attempt, Stu has made it his personal mission to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. He is passionate about raising awareness of suicide prevention and normalising conversations about mental health. Stu discusses the vital role adventurous challenge has played in the recovery of his own mental health and the importance of purpose to our mental wellbeing. He shares how his own journey has inspired him to set up his charity, which is the leading provider of Mental Health First Aid training in the outdoor and adventure industry.
If you would like to connect with Stu, here are his contact details
Website: https://www.changinghorizons.org/
Email: [email protected]
If you are interested in attending a Mental Health First Aid course, here is a link for further information https://mhfaengland.org/.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast please reach out to someone in your network, speak to your GP or access confidential mental health support through the following two charities SHOUT https://giveusashout.org/ and the Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org.
You can find a range of mental health-focused content at https://www.wem.academy/videos/mental-health/
About Stu
Stu is a Director of registered charity Changing Horizons, the leading provider of Mental Health First Aid training in the outdoor and adventure industry. After surviving a suicide attempt, he embarked on a 4500 mile cycling trip through SE Asia and his journey into wellbeing began. Stu was awarded a fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to thru-hike the 2179 mile long Appalachian Trail and recently completed a solo, unsupported hike across the entire length of Jordan; all to raise awareness of mental health and challenge the stigma that still exists. He’s gone on to lead over 50 expeditions across the World.
Stu is a keen public speaker, featuring in two award-winning BBC documentaries on mental health along with making numerous magazine and radio appearances. He has been a MHFA instructor since 2010 and has worked with a variety of clients such as the School Travel Consultancy, Camps International, The Bushcraft Company, the RSPB and Outward Bound. He acts as a Mental Health Consultant for the largest provider of overseas youth expeditions, World Challenge, where MHFA is mandatory for all their Expedition Leaders and operations staff.
