Two Bede Sixth Form College students have launched a podcast, Breaking the Burden, to raise awareness of mental health in young people.  

Highlighting different issues in each episode, Leah and Lilly hope that by talking about mental health, they can help ease the stigma attached to it.  

Having both accessed mental health services in the past, the two 17-year-olds were both left feeling frustrated so opted to take matters into their own hands and decided to try and make a change.  

Leah said: “I felt a little let down by the services available to me and I realised that I could either become a victim, or fight back and try and make a difference. I don’t want people to feel how I felt and that’s what drives me.” 

Having struck up a friendship since starting college, the girls realised that they both felt strongly about making a difference so they set out on their mission.  

Leah said: “Before I met Lilly I was quite shy and anxious. I really wanted to get involved in topical issues but I just didn’t dare. Then I started to speak to her and all of that changed when I saw how passionate she was.”  

Both members of the Labour Party, the girls started by circulating a survey amongst their peers and used the findings to influence their podcast.   

So, what’s next on the girls’ agenda? When asked, Lilly said: “Our dream is to introduce a mentor scheme into schools and colleges so young people can get the support they need. We also want to see unused space on the highstreets be turned into mental health hubs so that people have access to services a lot easier.” 

You can listen to Breaking the Burden here and follow them on Instagram here.