Men's Mental Health, Marathons and a Million Reasons to Stay with Ben West

Today’s guest is the incredible mental health campaigner and London Marathon legend, Ben West. A little heads up from us that this episode includes discussion around mental health and suicide. Ben tells Luke about how losing his 15 year old brother when he took his own life, became the catalyst for his campaign work around mental health, giving what he describes as a joyful end to a horribly tragic story. He talks about Reasons To Stay - a website where anyone can write a letter to someone considering suicide - that has become an invaluable resource for so many people. But it’s not come without its challenges! Alongside bereavement, Ben has handled early setbacks at Downing Street, and falling over at Mile 2 of the marathon :( Luke and Ben compare notes after going viral online; Ben deletes Instagram when it all gets a bit much and Channing Tatum and Jennifer Aniston are in the DMs after he cried to 60 million people, meanwhile Luke’s first thought is that he might look ugly. Plus - Ben tells Luke why you should never EVER tell a cabbie that you’re a mental health campaigner! If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed, you can find support: At reasonstostay.org, by texting SHOUT to 85258 or calling Samaritans on 116 123. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices