Watford Matters with Dean Russell Dean Russell

Recently, I sat down with Suzanne Samaka (founder of #HonestyAboutEditing campaign), Danny Bowman (mental health advocate) and Daniel Magson (chair of Anorexia and Bulimia Care) to discuss body imaging, how images are edited online and in the printed press, and eating disorders.

In this episode, I sit down with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP.

We're slowly beginning to normalise conversations around our mental health. It begins with a simple 'how are you?'. For the latest in my series of mini mental health conversations, I'm pleased to be joined by the latest of Watford's leaders - Cheska Tyler, the headteacher at Cherry Tree School. 

Meet Shaf - Shaf is the founder of CageFit Gym in Watford. It’s a real community hub and he’s helping people become both physically and mentally fit. I popped along (not to work out sadly) but to speak to him for the latest of my mini-mental health conversations.

One positive from the past few difficult months has been people and community groups in Watford looking out for one another and displaying a strong spirit of neighbourliness. And volunteering with people like Enoch at One Vision has made a big difference for a lot of people’s mental wellbeing.

Here in Watford we are working to make it normal to talk about our mental health. My next mini-mental health conversation is with Harjit Singh, Deputy Lieutenant, and a local community volunteer with One Vision. He’s had his hands full helping others during the pandemic.