Content warning: In this episode, we are talking about the topic of mental health and refer to self-harm and suicide. If any of the conversation causes you distress and you need to speak to someone, please consider contacting a family member or friend for additional support. However, if you need professional help, please contact NHS 111 option 2 (in the UK) or your region’s emergency response number, or healthcare practitioner.

Kelly Winstanley, the National Clinical Lead from the charity Mental Health Matters, joins us on this episode to explain the difference between mental wellbeing and poor mental health. At some point, everyone will experience poor mental health, which is why it is so important to talk about it to reduce the associated shame and stigma. Kelly provides us with some indicators to look out for, enabling us to spot changes early, seek help, and respond with calm, practical steps.

“…if people are listening find themselves experiencing symptoms or feel they’re struggling with their mental health or maybe they recognise that in other people, their family their friends or work colleagues, it’s really important to seek some help. See their GP, as soon as possible, again the earlier they treat it the better, but everyone different and these conditions can affect people in different ways.”

For support:

• Visit your Healthcare practitioner
• Call NHS 111, option 2 - UK
• Zero Suicide Alliance - UK
• Hub of Hope - UK
• Mental Health Helplines - USA
• Mental Health Support - Canada
• Mental Health Support - Ireland

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with inclusion strategist Nicole Marshall on late autism diagnosis, unmasking, and the simple changes that make work humane and effective.

• Self-discovery through adult autism diagnosis and identity work
• The cost of masking and energy management
• Common workplace misconceptions about neurodivergence
• Lessons from teaching to inclusion strategy
• Inclusion as good business and good practice

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Nate Hadlock and Keely Cat-Wells, advocates from the United Ostomy Associations of America, join us to address common questions and dispel myths and the stigma about living with an ostomy.

Millions of people worldwide have a stoma, yet there is a significant lack of knowledge and awareness about ostomies and the life-saving treatment they provide.

Sharing their own journeys as ostomates, we discuss:

• Explanation of ostomy terminology, including different types: colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy and loop ileostomy
• Common reasons people need ostomies
• Daily life with an ostomy: emptying the bag, hygiene considerations, and travel preparations
• Myth-busting: hygiene, activity, relationships

Nate and Keely share their own experiences with the psychological and emotional journey of adapting to life with an ostomy and dealing with public perception.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

Support

• The United Ostomy Associations of America
• Colostomy UK
• Crohn’s and Colitis UK
• IA Northern Ireland
• Crohn’s’ and Colitis Ireland

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Lydia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), shares her personal journey with hearing loss and explains the barriers faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We discuss the emotional impact of hearing loss, technological solutions like cochlear implants, and practical ways to create more inclusive communication environments.

Lidia explains what accessibility challenges exisit in various settings and explores what businesses and individuals can do to support those living with hearing loss and deafness.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

Support

• European Federation of Hard of Hearing
• National Association of Deafened People UK
• RNID UK
• Chime The National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in Ireland
• Irish Deaf Society
• Hearing Loss Association of America
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Tim Wilkins from the Alzheimer's Society and Paul Hoskins join us to discuss dementia.
The stigma and misconceptions around dementia often paint a bleak picture of life after diagnosis. Paul has a different story to tell as he is living with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's.

"Some days can be very hard. Some days are a lot easier," Paul explains, offering a glimpse into the reality of living with dementia. Far from withdrawing from life, Paul has embraced new activities since his diagnosis – from cricket and bowling to tapestry clubs and community involvement. His story challenges the notion that a dementia diagnosis means the end of an active, engaged life.

Tim explained that dementia is not simply one condition, but rather an umbrella term for symptoms caused by different diseases that affect the brain—emphasising that "dementia is not a natural part of ageing" – a crucial misconception that needs addressing.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

Support

• Alzheimer's Society UK
• Alzheimer's Society Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society Canada
• Alzheimer's Society America
• Alzheimer's Society Australia

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

In this episode, Flic Manning chats with Catherine Hanna, a proud Sunflower and road safety advocate. Catherine shares her journey with post-concussion syndrome, the misconceptions surrounding an invisible brain injury, and how writing poetry has helped her process trauma and rebuild her identity.

• Post-concussion syndrome can occur without hitting your head or losing consciousness

• Brain injuries don't always show up on CT scans as damage can be at a cellular level

• The "mild" in mild traumatic brain injury refers to severity classification, not symptom impact

• Catherine manages her condition by wearing earplugs, planning rest breaks, and avoiding overstimulating environments

• The Sunflower lanyard helps Catherine carry earplugs and indicate her hidden disability

Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for more resources.

Check out Catherine Hannah Poetry here

This episode was recorded on Instagram Live.

Hollie Christian Brooks joined us to discuss her new play "Yawn: A Chronically Fatigued Play", which draws from her personal experience with ME/CFS to educate audiences about non-visible disabilities and create new connections with the community.

We discuss everything, from symptoms and periods to self-discovery and the power of the Sunflower.

• ME/CFS often develops following viral infections like glandular fever, with Hollie’s diagnosis coming after years of recurring symptoms.
• The fatigue associated with ME/CFS differs from normal tiredness in that it cannot be alleviated by sleep and often includes flu-like symptoms, pain, and cognitive difficulties.
• Hollie created "Yawn" as both a personal healing journey and a way to connect with others who understand the isolation of chronic illness.

"Yawn" is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with concession tickets available for anyone who self-identifies as having a disability.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

You can connect with Hollie on Instagram @yawn_play and find links to purchase tickets in her bio.

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a rating and review.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Tasha Sorhaindo shares her journey living with multiple chronic health conditions and founding her charity, Chronically Marvellous, that supports individuals with non-visible disabilities.

Tasha is autistic and lives with systemic lupus, dilated cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, arthritis and osteoporosis. After being able to run marathons and becoming gravely ill with only two weeks to live, Tasha decided to set up Chronically Marvellous to support others in a similar position with support groups that carers can also attend, counselling services and the provision of wheelchairs and electric scooters, as she understands the feeling of isolation.

As a mum, her children are her priority, especially as they also have non-visible disabilities, including autism and the genetic long QT wave syndrome. Balancing being there for them, with chronic pain, fatigue, and breathing difficulties, is hard work, but it also gives her true insight into what services to offer.

Support

• Chronically Marvellous
• Instagram @chronicallymarvellous
• Facebook /chronciallymarvellous
• LinkedIn chronically-marvellous

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website