Episode Description:   

Trigger Warning   This is a passionate and frank discussion about depression, suicide detail, substance overdose and trauma. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast. 

On this episode: "A Journey of Two Roads" Robert Lafferty on Surviving Suicide

We speak to Robert Lafferty who is part of the Service Users Group. Following a lower limb injury several years ago, Rob descended into an uncontrollable bout of depression, resulting in him deciding to attempt to take his own life one night...But he is here today and uses his journey from pain, through to recovery, by the cathartic participation within the service users group at Staffordshire University.   

Rob shares this experience in great detail, with exerts from his therapy journal and treats us to his written piece he continues to deliver to health and social care students to this day. Rob intuitively titles this piece, "The Journey of Two Roads" a title he feels best describes the journey he has found himself on from the darkest depths of the disease, through to the therapy that brought him towards the 'path of light' as he refers to it.   

I explore with Rob, what therapy components made his journey one of success, including the mental health services and how he was treated, the unwavering support of his beloved wife, as well as re-kindling his passion as a highly talented painter.   


Click here to see Robs Paintings!

Rob and I explore the phenomenon of the male specific side to mental health and suicide, as well as what we can do to not only support others who may be suffering, but how to recognise this in ourselves, and where the support lies to help you repair and join him on the right road.

 
Web links from the show: 
 
(Mentioned in the Podcast) Office for National Statistics on suicide rates by gender.
 
Suicides in England and Wales Office for National Statistics

Service User and Carer Team

Service User and Carer Team  

Learn about the teams function within the University, and information to join this group if you feel inspired by the mini-series Podcasts!  

Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts: 

If you are a student or staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. 

For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to! 

NHS Mental Health Services - nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ 
Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ 
 
Upcoming Podcasts: 

Experiences of Cerebral Palsy, Death within other religions, Holistic therapies and we take a LIVE guided meditation with our personal reflections afterwards.  
 
Previous Podcasts:  

Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams. 
 
Want to get involved? 

Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?
Do you have a topic you would like to share? 

Get in touch! Let’s Pod! 

Contact The Link podcast team: 

@TheLinkPodcast on X (formally Twitter) 

Ben W-H :
@benw_h on X (formally Twitter) 
 ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk 



Kirsty Egan:

@KirstyODP
e008085c@student.staffs.ac.uk 
 
Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst 
Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan 
Artwork: Shaun Kelly 
Theme Music: Gavin Samways