Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens

Mark Taylor | Mental Health Nurse
  • 4.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast hosted by Mark Taylor, a mental health nurse with over 35 years of experience working with young people. Each episode tackles real questions about mental health, relationships, confidence, self-doubt, anxiety, motivation, identity and growing up. No therapy-speak. No lectures. Just honest conversations, practical ideas and straightforward guidance to help you make sense of what's going on in your life. Whether you're struggling with overthinking, people pleasing, confidence, difficult relationships, big decisions or simply trying to work out who you're becoming, Headstraight offers real answers to real challenges faced by teens and young adults. Visit: http://www.headstraight.co.uk

  1. 5d ago

    A New Chapter for Headstraight

    After six seasons of Headstraight, I found myself reflecting on something. We've talked about anxiety, confidence, friendships, boundaries, self-belief and so many of the challenges that young people face. Those conversations still matter. But the more time I spent listening to young people, the more I realise that many of the biggest struggles don't begin with a diagnosis or even a clear problem. They begin with a question. The questions that keep people awake at night. The ones that feel too embarrassing to ask. Too confusing to explain. Or too risky to say out loud. So, rather than organising this next season around a theme, we're organising it around those questions. Each episode starts with one real question or statment and explores what's really sitting underneath it—not with quick fixes or easy answers, but with honest conversations that help make sense of difficult experiences and what you can do next. If you've been with me since the beginning, thank you for coming this far. And if this is your first episode, you've joined us at the start of an exciting new chapter. Welcome to the next phase of Headstraight. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world.

    5 min

  2. Jul 1

    Season 6 — Nothing’s Wrong — You’re Just Seeing Things Differently (Season Summary)

    We've reached the end of another season, but this isn't really about looking back. It's about taking a moment to notice how far you've come. Over the last few months we've talked about pressure, responsibility, relationships, uncertainty and trying to work out what actually matters to you. None of it was about becoming a different person. It was about understanding yourself a little better. In this episode, I reflect on the biggest shift I've hoped you've taken away from these conversations: not having all the answers, but becoming more aware of what's happening around you and inside you. Because that's where real change starts. If this season has helped you pause, question things differently, or make even one decision that felt more like you, then it has done exactly what I hoped it would. Thank you for listening, for sticking with me, and for letting me be part of your journey. I'll see you in the next chapter of Headstraight. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    6 min

  3. Jun 24

    What If This Isn't The Life I Actually Want?

    Have you ever stopped and wondered whether the life you're building is actually the life you want? Sometimes the problem isn't a crisis or a major setback. It's a quieter feeling that something doesn't quite fit, even when things look fine from the outside. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore why people can end up following paths that no longer feel right and why self doubt often appears when you start questioning long-held assumptions about your future. You'll learn how expectations, comparison and habit can shape your choices without you fully noticing, and why building a meaningful life is often more about small adjustments than dramatic change. If you've been feeling disconnected from the direction you're heading in or wondering whether you're living according to someone else's expectations, this episode offers practical guidance on reconnecting with what matters to you and creating a life that feels more genuinely your own. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world.

    15 min

  4. Jun 17

    When Everything Feels Out of Control — Here’s How You Stay Steady

    Do you ever feel like the world is asking for your attention all the time? News, social media, other people's opinions and worries about the future can create a constant sense of pressure that's difficult to switch off. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore what happens when your mind is carrying more information, stress and uncertainty than it can comfortably process. You'll learn why feeling overwhelmed isn't a sign that you're not coping, how anxiety and overthinking can build when you're constantly plugged in and why trying to stay informed can sometimes leave you feeling less steady, not more. If you're feeling overwhelmed by everything that's happening around you, this episode offers practical teen coping strategies to help you protect your attention, manage stress and stay grounded when life feels out of control. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    14 min

  5. Jun 10

    Why Are Relationships So Complicated Now?

    Have you ever looked at a friendship or relationship and realised it doesn't feel the way it used to? Nothing dramatic has happened, but something feels different, and you're not quite sure why. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore why relationships often become more complicated as we grow and change. You'll learn how increased self-awareness, shifting priorities and healthier boundaries can affect the way you connect with other people, and why relationships that once felt easy can sometimes start to feel more challenging. If you've been questioning friendships, feeling disconnected from people you care about or wondering why some relationships no longer fit the way they once did, this episode offers practical guidance on understanding those changes and navigating them with greater confidence. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    16 min

  6. Jun 3

    When Life Hits Hard: Real Coping Strategies for Teens

    What do you do when life hits hard? Whether it's a breakup, a betrayal, a loss, a disappointment or a sudden change you never saw coming, some experiences can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to move forward. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore what coping really means when life feels unstable. You'll learn why some setbacks hit harder than others, how anxiety and overthinking can keep you stuck and why "just move on" is rarely helpful advice when something genuinely matters to you. If you're going through a difficult time and struggling to find your footing, this episode offers practical teen coping strategies to help you manage strong emotions, regain a sense of stability and take the next step forward, even when life feels uncertain. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    17 min

  7. May 27

    You’re Doing Adult Life — So Why Doesn’t It Feel Right?

    Do you ever feel like you're doing all the things adults are supposed to do, but still don't feel like a real adult? You're handling responsibilities, making decisions and getting through life, yet part of you still feels uncertain, unprepared or like you're figuring it all out as you go. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore why adulthood rarely feels the way people expect it to. You'll learn why self doubt and comparison can make you believe everyone else has life figured out, why confidence often develops more slowly than responsibility and why feeling uncertain doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. If you've ever looked around and wondered why everyone else seems more capable, more confident or more settled than you feel, this episode offers a different perspective on growing up, finding your footing and learning to trust yourself as life moves forward. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    15 min

  8. May 20

    Broke & Anxious: The Hidden Money-Mood Connection

    Do you ever feel stressed about money, even when you're trying your best to stay on top of things? Financial pressure can affect far more than your bank balance, creating anxiety, self doubt and a constant feeling that you're falling behind. In this episode of Headstraight, we explore the connection between money and mental health. You'll learn why financial stress can become a cycle, how anxiety and avoidance often make things worse and why many people develop habits around money that keep them feeling stuck. If you're worried about money, struggling to feel in control of your finances or finding that financial pressure is affecting your confidence and wellbeing, this episode offers practical guidance to help you understand what's happening and start breaking the cycle. Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast providing practical mental health support for teens and young people. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Mental Health Support for Teens is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    17 min
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Headstraight is a teen mental health podcast hosted by Mark Taylor, a mental health nurse with over 35 years of experience working with young people. Each episode tackles real questions about mental health, relationships, confidence, self-doubt, anxiety, motivation, identity and growing up. No therapy-speak. No lectures. Just honest conversations, practical ideas and straightforward guidance to help you make sense of what's going on in your life. Whether you're struggling with overthinking, people pleasing, confidence, difficult relationships, big decisions or simply trying to work out who you're becoming, Headstraight offers real answers to real challenges faced by teens and young adults. Visit: http://www.headstraight.co.uk

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