Moray women open hearts for M:ADE mental health podcasts
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A GROUP of Moray women have opened up on mental health in two raw and frank online podcasts released today as part of a local arts project.
The women – some with lived experience of mental health and some supporting others with their mental health – are currently taking part in Moray Arts Development Engagement's (M:ADE) MADE Aware Phase 2 project.
This follows on from its successful MADE Aware project last year in which a group of local men told their stories of mental health issues in a series of short films.
To kickstart the project's second phase, M:ADE has enlisted the expertise of local artist Laura-Johnston Scott.
Laura is a dance artist and host of an online podcast called "Just Like The Moon (We Go Through Phases)", in which she has open and honest conversations with others about wellbeing.
She has collaborated with M:ADE this month to facilitate two conversations – one about supporting others with mental health and one about managing personal mental health.
Laura said: "When this brilliant group of women came together to discuss what they hoped to get out the project, the key element that transpired was their desire to share their stories and to be part of something that allows others to share their stories, and I am honoured that I could make that happen through this podcast.
"These women’s stories are open, honest, raw and at times really quite emotional – but they ultimately are messages of hope, of courage, and I believe that by talking about mental health conditions these women are really helping challenge the status quo and change attitudes."
M:ADE director Stacey Toner said the second phase had been very different from the first so far due to Covid-19 restrictions. She said: "We still haven't met each other face-to-face and our communication comes primarily from a WhatsApp group."
Stacey described the stories as raw, honest, emotional, hopeful, humorous and heartfelt.
She added: "For me, even though the project has really just started, it has worked as a reminder at how powerful just talking can be.
"To hear everyone's thoughts, ideas and anecdotes felt raw and eye-opening and at the same time hopeful, warm and empowering.
"They are an inspiring group of women and I'm looking forward to us being able to get together soon to see what else we can achieve together."
The project has been funded by the Corra Foundation.
The podcasts are available as a special double bill from today, via these links:
https://soundcloud.com/user-334842440-937898778
https://open.spotify.com/show/5snl7L3szTtu6DiVzww5TO?si=WjOx5euNRHG10jk67rq33g
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/just-like-the-moon-we-go-through-phases/id1516548295
