Pregnant women across the globe are facing many changes and uncertainty around appointments, birthing plans and antenatal classes due to Covid-19. With news that some NHS trusts have placed restrictions on birthing partners' presence throughout pregnancy and labour, it’s understandable that expectant parents may be feeling anxious at this time.

Hypnotherapy Directory, the site that connects people with hypnotherapists in their local  area and online, has seen a 169% increase* in users searching for information on hypnobirthing, the technique which helps expectant parents find a relaxing, calm environment, free from stress, anxiety or fear leading up to, and during labour.

“Stress can have a huge effect on a woman’s overall health and wellbeing during pregnancy. Heightened states of worry and anxiety can lead to sleep disturbances, low mood, high blood pressure and physical tension in the body.”

Hypnotherapy for pregnancy is still possible during lockdown, as many practitioners offer online or telephone sessions. Hypnotherapist and counsellor Natasha Crowe, a member of Hypnotherapy Directory, continues to work with clients who are expecting at this time.

Natasha explains why it is so important to prioritise maternal mental health: “Fears are often heightened during pregnancy and sometimes women can feel vulnerable, especially with the current lockdown, some are feeling more isolated, scared, cut off or alone,” she shares.

“Stress can have a huge effect on a woman’s overall health and wellbeing during pregnancy. Heightened states of worry and anxiety can lead to sleep disturbances, low mood, high blood pressure and physical tension in the body.”

Natasha explains how hypnotherapy for pregnancy works, the technique which has been praised among many high profile figures, including the Duchess of Cambridge.

“Hypnotherapy can help a woman throughout her pregnancy by lowering stress hormones in the body and by having a positive impact on how a woman feels. Once the techniques have been learned, then they can be applied to any situation without the immediate support of the therapist.

Hypnotherapy for pregnancy builds confidence, lowers anxieties and helps the body feel prepared.”

Over 540 Hypnotherapy Directory Members are working online and via the telephone across the UK

For expectant parents looking for hypnotherapy and mental health support at this time, Hypnotherapy Directory can connect you with more than 500 hypnotherapists working online and via telephone from across the UK.

Natasha is available for interviews and further comment and discussion, please email alice.greedus@hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk

Notes to Editor

*The data is based on a year on year comparison of sessions on the Hypnobirthing page of the Hypnotherapy Directory website, in March 2019 and subsequently March 2020.

Please reference ‘Hypnotherapy Directory’  in any information used and embed the following link

Hypnotherapist Natasha Crowe is available for media opportunities and further comments, contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk or on 01276 580047.

About Hypnotherapy Directory:

Hypnotherapy Directory is part of the Happiful family with sister sites; Happiful Magazine, Life Coach Directory, Counselling Directory, Therapy Directory and Nutritionist Resource. We exist to support others, to continually challenge stigma around mental health and mental illness, and to promote wellbeing.

To read more about mental health and wellbeing, visit the app store and download the new Happiful app. You can read our magazine on the go as well as finding out more about therapy, wellbeing and other support available in your area.

While life in lockdown may have paused some events for the moment, we’re delighted that the UK’s first online mental health and wellbeing festival, the Live Life Well Virtual Weekender will take place from 8-10 May.

Happiful is proud to support the Live Life Well Virtual Weekender as their Media Partner.

The programme includes international experts, authors, advocates and industry leaders who are ready to share their own life and professional experiences and actionable ways to look after yourself in these strange times.  

Mental health advocate Natasha Devon, author Josh Roberts, BBC Radio 2’s Sarah Jarvis, The Money Whisperer Emma Maslin, Richie Bostock (AKA The Breath Guy)Pilates PT Hollie Grant and comic performer Juliette Burton are just a few of the names who’ll be delivering the weekend’s programme of over thirty events and workshops - and every single speaker is donating their time for free.

Tickets for the weekend are priced at just £10 per household for access to all content across three days. There’s also free tickets available for frontline and key workers, students, teenagers and people on low incomes.

The money raised through ticket sales will be donated to the NHS Charities Covid-19 appeal.

Read more

Buy Tickets

Happiful Magazine, the UK’s magazine dedicated to conversations around mental health, has produced its first ever remote issue, with a dedicated editorial and support network signposting, in light of the current Covid 19 social distancing measures. As with all editions, the magazine will be available to read for free on Happiful’s App, from Thursday 16th April.

May’s issue features a sleep special, sharing research and true stories for those impacted by sleep difficulties. There’s insight from a host of specialists, including hypnotherapy and sleep experts from Happiful’s sister site, Hypnotherapy Directory.

Hypnotherapist John McKenzie reveals how hypnotherapy can deepen and improve our state of sleep. The good news, he adds, is that we can teach ourselves the self-hypnosis method to aid our own sleep.

Happiful’s Kat Nicholls explores what dreams can tell us about our mental health with psychotherapist Will Leifer, “dreams help us connect more deeply to the emotional meanings behind the events of our daily lives” he explains.

Psychotherapist and Counselling Directory member Katerina Georgiou delves into how couples can remedy co-sleeping problems by looking into research that reveals nearly one in six UK couples are choosing to sleep separately. Katerina explains that putting sleep first is vital for our relationships.

Elsewhere in the magazine, prime time presenter Davina McCall shares her thoughts on exercise for lifting mood, embracing every part of you and the lessons she's learnt from her children.

Columnist, long-time mental health advocate and blogger Grace Victory explores feelings of vulnerability around our careers and offers guidance from her personal experience.

Model, activist and entrepreneur Kenny Ethan Jones explores how we can protect our mental health, maintain our motivation and shares a personal message for those struggling with gender identity, in an interview with Happiful's Head Writer, Kat Wheeler.

Happiful magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com.

The digital version of the magazine is also available on Happiful’s free mobile app.

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

For more information and interviews contact:

PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

Happiful is currently working with counsellors, life coaches, hypnotherapists, nutritionists and other professionals to provide daily updates on the news, and help people find online support through our content, podcasts and social media. To find out more about this, go to happiful.com.

For those who are looking to engage in professional therapeutic help, more than 11,900 members on Counselling Directory, Happiful’s sister site, are now working online across the UK to continue providing mental health support during social distancing measures.

May’s edition of Happiful Magazine will be on supermarket shelves nationwide on Thursday 16th April and online at happiful.com.

Happiful Magazine is available in major supermarkets and at shop.happiful.com.

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness – sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family – including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory – which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to more than 95,000 people every month.

Mental Health Magazine Free to All

Over the past month, life has changed dramatically for us all and Happiful, the UK’s magazine devoted to conversations around mental health, and Counselling Directory, the site helping to connect people with therapists in their local area, are continuing to find ways of supporting people who are struggling at this time.

“We’ve seen a sharp increase in people searching Happiful for articles and guidance on managing anxiety, how to support children with panic attacks, ways to work from home, homeschooling, maintaining positive relationships, as well as coping with living in isolation, and managing mental health and illness,” Happiful spokesperson Lucy Donoughue shared.

“Happiful is working with counsellors, life coaches, psychologists and other professionals to respond to these needs, and the daily updates on the news, to provide people with online support through our content, podcasts, and social media.”

In addition to the daily online content, Happiful Magazine, featuring expert mental health advice, life stories and personal experiences, is available completely for free in its digital format, by subscribing at happiful.com.

Daily features, every past copy of the magazine and peer support group information are also available completely free in the Happiful app.

Counselling Directory Community Make Moves Online to Support During Social Distancing

For those who are looking to engage professional therapeutic help, more than 11,900 members on Counselling Directory, Happiful’s sister site, are now working online across the UK to continue providing mental health support during social distancing measures.

In the past two weeks, 2,061 additional therapists have developed new ways to support clients remotely, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Impact of Coronavirus on Mental Health

Counselling Directory Member Pam Custers shared:

“We are seeing a huge rise in anxiety-related issues since this pandemic has been announced. With each passing day, the government has urged us to take more and more stringent measures. While we can understand rationally why we need to do this, psychologically the enormity of the issue is really starting to hit home with people.

“Humans thrive on predictability and safety, when external events turn our lives upside down, like this virus, we need to find a way to reclaim our sense of security.

“We have to empower ourselves by focusing on what we do have power over, rather than the things we cannot control.”

Pam shares the 10 ways we can look after ourselves at this time:

1. Structure your day and have goals for the week.
2. Don’t over work. If you are working, make sure you have down time.
3. Set up online chats with your friends. Connection is vital for wellbeing. Use all the tech you can to support your relationships with others.
4. Exercise, do an online workout, or a brisk walk. We are able to do this at the moment so take advantage.
5. Nourish your body. Take the time to cook food consciously so that you are healthy.
6. Stretch your mind a little. Learn something new each day.
7. Kindness is important, not only towards yourself but to others. When we show others kindness it boosts our own well being just as much.
8. Catch up with the news only once a day.
9. Integrate all the things you would normally do, but using tech.
10. Remind yourself often that “this too will pass”.  We will come out the other side and we need to use all our emotional resilience to manage this period of time.
    
    

Notes to Editor

Results of a survey* by Counselling Directory revealed that:

• 97% of Counselling Directory respondents are planning to make, or have already made changes to their private practice in light of the COVID-19.
  
• Current figures show that the number of therapists offering online services on Counselling Directory grew from 9,839 w/c 16 March to over 12,000 at the beginning of w/c 30 March, in response to the evolving ‘lockdown’ situation.  
  

Please credit full names of counsellors in comments used.

For more information about the survey or the results, please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@counselling-directory.org.uk.

Counsellors from the Counselling Directory are available for media requests and comments, as well as team members from Happiful who can provide an overview in the changes.

*All respondents are counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists registered with a relevant UK professional body. The counsellors were asked questions about the changes to their practice in light of COVID-19.

About Counselling Directory and Happiful magazine:

Counselling Directory has been helping connect people with the help they need since 2005. Listing more than 18,000 professional counsellors and psychotherapists nationwide, everyone has the opportunity to find mental health support. Counselling Directory also provides helpful information on therapy types and common mental health concerns, articles from qualified therapists, as well as public and professional events.

Counselling Directory is part of the Happiful family with sister sites; Happiful Magazine, Life Coach Directory, Hypnotherapy Directory, Therapy Directory and Nutritionist Resource. We exist to support others, to continually challenge stigma around mental health and mental illness, and to promote wellbeing.

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017, and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness – sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries. It’s digital version is sent to more than 100,000 people for free every month.

To read more about mental health and wellbeing, visit the app store and download the new Happiful app for free. You can read our magazine on the go at no cost, as well as finding out more about therapy, wellbeing and other support available in your area.

Happiful magazine was launched on Monday 20 March 2017, the International Day of Happiness, with the intent to further conversations around mental health and illness, and to help eradicate associated stigma and discrimination, while ensuring everyone has access to the information and support they might need at any stage in their life.

Speaking ahead of the magazine’s third anniversary, Editor Rebecca Thair said:

“We personally know all too well the positive – and negative – role the media can play in people’s perception of their own, and others' mental health.

“After three years of Happiful Magazine’s existence, we’re more committed than ever to helping our readers get the support they might need and to sharing personal stories about living with and accepting mental health and illness.

“Happiful operates with kindness at the forefront of mind, and this is important, more now than ever, in these uncertain times. We need to come together to lift others, rather than tearing individual’s down, or scaring readers with sensationalism.

“Happiful intends to continue to play a major part in the supportive and kinder media movement.”

Happiful is a family-led business, developed by sisters Aimi Maunders and Emma Hursey back in 2005 when they established Counselling Directory, after searching for local mental health support themselves. Over the past 10 years, they’ve also developed Life Coach Directory, Hypnotherapy Directory, Nutritionist Resource and Therapy Directory to help connect people with practitioners and the support available on their doorsteps.

Happiful Magazine arrived in 2017 on a mission to reach the widest possible audience, with actionable advice and personal experiences of mental illness, drawing on the therapeutic knowledge from across Happiful’s family of Directories.

A wide range of people from the public eye have also contributed to Happiful Magazine’s pages including: Stacey Solomon, Grace Victory, Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn, Gemma Atkinson, Alexandra Burke, Bryony Gordon, Munroe Bergdorf, Lauren Mahon, Megan Jayne Crabbe and Juno Dawson.

Alongside the availability of Happiful’s print edition, a digital version of the full magazine is sent to more than 95,000 people every month, allowing access to its content completely free of charge. Happiful believes that there should be no financial or physical barriers to accessing it’s supportive content. Readers simply submit an email address to receive the e-version of the magazine.

Speaking of the magazine, one reader shared: “Happiful is like a slice of self-love. You learn techniques to help yourself, you feel comforted by the articles and features you don’t feel so alone. To have a magazine dedicated to promoting good mental health, reducing stigma, makes a massive difference.”

-------------------------

Happiful Celebrates Three-Year Anniversary With a Line-Up including

Saffron Barker, Natasha Devon, Kimberley Wilson and Grace Victory

This month’s launch of Happiful (19 March), coincides with the magazine’s third anniversary and features a host of people from the public-eye and wellbeing professions, sharing their experiences and advice on living happier, healthier lives and normalising conversations around mental ill health.

April Edition

This month’s line up includes:

Saffron Barker - As a vlogger with more than 5 million followers across social media platforms, Saffron Barker understands the pressure of being a role model. This April, Happiful talks to Saffron about the power of believing in herself, and why there is a responsibility to do good with social media.

Grace Victory - Happiful’s columnist Grace, draws on her personal experience of holistic therapies, sharing her experiences with Reiki and reflexology, and why being open to alternative medicine works for her.

Natasha Devon MBE - Mental health campaigner and writer Natasha Devon chats about her new book, Yes You Can in our latest issue, focusing on exam stress and how it impacts young people.

Kimberley Wilson - Psychologist and former Great British Bake Off finalist, Kimberley Wilson discusses the special relationship between food and psychology. She also delves into her time on the legendary baking show.

In celebration of Happiful’s anniversary, readers will be offered three issues for the price of two with code HAPPIGIFT. The offer will be available at shop.happiful.com.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com. The digital version of the magazine is also available on Happiful’s free mobile app.

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

For more information, interviews or images contact:

PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

April’s edition of Happiful Magazine will be on supermarket shelves nationwide on Thursday 19 March and online at happiful.com.

An extract of Saffron’s interview in Happiful magazine is now available on happiful.com.

Happiful magazine is available in major supermarkets and at shop.happiful.com

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness – sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family – including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory – which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to more than 95,000 people every month.

Happiful are the proud headline media partners for leading wellbeing festival, Live Well London. Taking place from Friday 28 February to Sunday 1 March at Old Billingsgate, the event brings together those in the wellness physical and mental health and fitness industry.

In addition to team presence in the ‘Well Balanced’ area at the festival, Happiful writers and content producers will chair and contribute to public talks and panels.

Lucy Donoughue, host of Happiful’s award winning podcast I am. I have will speak about the company’s recent 4-day working week trial as part of ‘Business of the Future: Changing Workplace Experience’ on Friday. She will also chair ‘Finding your Confidence, Inside and Out’ on Saturday, in conversation with behavioural change expert Shahroo Izadi, body image researcher Nadia Craddock and Sylvia Mac, Founder of Love Disfigure.

Kat Nicholls, Senior Writer for Happiful and wellbeing coach will share her thoughts on the positive impact of online tribes and support networks on ‘Discover The Power of Community for your Wellbeing’, also taking place on Saturday 29 February. Her fellow panel members include Dave Thomas, co-founder of The Foundry and Katie Taylor CEO and founder of The Latte Lounge.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Live Well London,” Lucy Donoughue said. “We love the programme and ethos for the weekend. There’s a huge emphasis on positive conversations around physical and mental wellbeing, underpinned by research, facts and expertise as supported by We Are Wellspoken, who ensure credibility within the wellness industry.

“We’re pleased to be sharing Happiful’s thoughts and chairing panels across the weekend. We hope that attendees will also come and chat with us on our stand. We’d love to hear their thoughts on our magazine, app and how we can continue to support people through our offerings.”

High profile figures from the wellness industry will be sharing their experience and advice over the weekend too. Happiful cover stars Dame Kelly Holmes, Ben Bidwell (The Naked Professor) and Matt Johnson all lead panels. Psychologist Kimberley Wilson, a recent guest on I am. I have. will be speaking about brain and whole body health.

Visit LiveWellLondon.com for more information

Notes To Editors

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness. Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness -  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family - including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory, Nutritionist Resource, Therapy Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory - which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to more than 95,000 people every month.

Happiful magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com. The magazine is also available in major supermarkets and at shop.happiful.com

The digital version of the magazine is also available on Happiful’s mobile app.

For more information about Happiful please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com.

After capturing the nation’s hearts in Strictly Come Dancing’s first ever same-sex routine, Johannes Radebe opens up to Happiful Magazine about his big break, and how it didn’t come easy after dealing with school bullies and losing his father.

Johannes Radebe hit the headlines in 2019 when he danced with fellow Strictly pro, Graziano Di Prima, in the show’s first ever male duo dance. In the March edition of Happiful, the UK’s magazine devoted to mental health, Johannes delves into the journey that led him to the Strictly Come Dancing stage, and the now legendary dance.

Speaking of his childhood, Johannes explains that his family were extremely supportive of his ambition to become a dancer, and it was his father who bought him his first pair of dancing shoes. Sadly aged just 14, Johannes had to navigate the sudden loss of his father to tuberculosis. “Dad’s death was a sad one because it was quick. We were very close,” he says, adding that his father “would have been very proud” of his achievements.

However, being in the spotlight didn’t always come easy to Johannes. While dance has been his “escape” from an early age, he shares that as a result of the attention it brought him, he faced bullying at school. “It left me confused, feeling like there was something wrong with me. It was isolating. For the longest time I thought ‘I’m not worthy’ and ‘why are you putting yourself through this?’”

Despite his initial doubts about pursuing dance, Johannes’ career was propelled forward when he accepted an offer to enrol at a dance school for disadvantaged youngsters. He trained hard, and to this day remains the undefeated South African Latin champion. Johannes later joined Strictly in 2018. “It’s so nice amongst the pros,” he shares.”They’re all kind. It’s been so great.”

Reflecting on his experience of dancing on prime time TV with best friend Graziano, Johannes says he realised that there was no need to hide anymore, as he felt he had to at school. “The world has been ready, all I had to do was embrace who I am fully, fully, fully, because that was always my fear – that sense of rejection [...] It took me 32 years to finally accept that and say, ‘Honestly, this is my life.’”

As a public figure within the LGBTQ+ community, Johannes is passionate about making a difference, and describes how he’s proud of his role, which promotes the acceptance of greater diversity. “I'm the change. Honestly, I see it like that. I’m the first gay black man on Strictly. I just think, good for you Johannes. I’m proud!”

Looking towards the future, Johannes reflects on the society we live in. “We need to live in a world where we’re not afraid to stand up to what’s wrong, because what I do in my bedroom has nothing to do with you.”

Johannes’ full interview is in the March issue of Happiful Magazine, on sale Thursday 20th February.

The March edition of Happiful Magazine also features: interviews with singer Frankie Bridge who talks about her new book OPEN and her stay in a mental health hospital; former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq discussing her children’s novel Cookie! and the Most Annoying Boy in the World; and Grace Victory focusing on the link between mental health and diet culture for her column.

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com

The digital version of the magazine is also available on Happiful’s mobile app.

For more information about Happiful, images and extracts please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

Read more of Happiful Magazine on supermarket shelves nationwide on Thursday 20th February and online at happiful.com. An extract of Johannes interview in Happiful magazine will be available on happiful.com.

Happiful magazine is available in major supermarkets and at shop.happiful.com

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness –  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family – including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory – which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to more than 90,000 people every month.

On Time to talk day (Thursday 6th February), Counselling Directory shares the thoughts of its professional members, on the importance of talking and eradicating the stigmas around mental health and illness.

Counselling Directory member Sophie Robinson-Matthews explains that mental health “is something that we all have, yet any struggle with it is largely invisible. A conversation is a way to broach the subject of any struggles so that the person can receive help or reassurance.”

Pam Custers, Counselling Directory member and relationship therapist adds, “Often our head is filled with an internal dialogue that is hard to stop or become clear. Talking allows us to get perspective on our worries and reduces our anxiety and stress.”

“A lot of research backs up the connection between talking and a reduction of stress and anxiety” explains Pam.

Yet Counselling Directory member Amy Drake adds that it’s not just up to the individuals to have this conversation but society too “It really is everyone’s responsibility to start the conversation and ask questions, take an interest. Not just mental health professionals and those who live through it. Workplaces, media outlets, education settings and communities could all do more to contribute to the conversation.”

Advice for talking about mental health:

If you’re struggling with your mental health and finding it difficult to open up to others, Counselling Directory member Sophie Robinson-Matthews advises that you:

• Take a moment to have a think about what you would say to a loved one, who you believed was struggling in your position
• Consider the safe places you could go, to speak to someone who is a professional in the mental health field, such as charities, helplines and your GP
• Ring an anonymous helpline - If you are afraid or feel a bit lost as to what the next steps may be, someone can guide you or just listen to you, if that's what you want.
  

“Instead of keeping our thoughts and feelings to ourselves it honestly is a case of ‘two heads are better than one’ when it comes to talking about that which is important to us,” concludes counsellor Pam Custers.

To find more information about where to get help and crisis support you can look on Happiful’s help directory.

The Counselling Directory can help you find a therapist in your area.

Counselling Directory members are available for further comments this Time to talk day.

If you want to be connected with a Counselling Directory professional please contact Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@counselling-directory.org.uk or 01276 580047.

Counselling Directory members are available for media comments on a range of subjects including mental health, relationships, addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and stress.

***

About Counselling Directory:

Counselling Directory has been helping connect people with the help they need since 2005. Listing more than 20,000 professional counsellors and psychotherapists nationwide, everyone has the opportunity to find mental health support. Counselling Directory also provides helpful information on therapy types and common mental health concerns, articles from qualified therapists, as well as public and professional events.

Counselling Directory is part of the Happiful family with sister companies; Happiful magazine, Life Coach Directory, Hypnotherapy Directory, Therapy Directory and Nutritionist Resource. We exist to support others, to continually challenge stigma around mental health and mental illness, and to promote wellbeing.

To read more about mental health and wellbeing, visit the app store and download the new Happiful app. You can read our magazine on the go as well as finding out more about therapy, wellbeing and other support available in your area.

In February’s Happiful, the UK’s magazine devoted to mental health, Meghan Trainor opens up about the severe panic attacks and anxiety she experienced after two vocal cord operations, at the beginning of her career.

In 2016, having just won the Best New Artist Grammy, Meghan was forced to have vocal cord surgery that left her questioning the future of her music career.

“I thought, ‘It’s over, I’m not going to sing ever again’” she says describing the crippling effect of this on her mental health. “I went full dive into the dark zone of deep thoughts.”

Today Meghan speaks openly about this period in her life, but at the time she found it hard to articulate the struggle she was going through. US Television Host Carson Daly helped her, describing publicly how anxiety affects people physically as well as mentally, and Meghan’s feelings started to make more sense. “I’ve never heard anyone explain it so well,” she reflects.

Meghan sought therapy and now says she hasn’t had a panic attack for “probably more than a year”. She also reveals that she went to a hypnotherapist to cure her of repeatedly and anxiously picking the skin on her fingers, a nervous habit that made her feel insecure on the red carpet.

She’s now keen to encourage others to reach out for support, knowing first-hand the positive impact it had on her. “I can say I’m so much better. I know what triggers me now. If I don’t get sleep, and my body’s exhausted, it confuses my brain with panic. I can listen to my body more now,” Meghan shares.

Her recent challenge has been navigating her new role on The Voice UK. Meghan initially expressed worries over whether people would recognise her to fellow judge Olly Murs, who she recalls reassured her. “He said 'I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way, but you’ll be surprised, everyone will know who you are.' He was so good to me,” she explains, describing him as her “new best friend”.

Despite Meghan’s concerns with taking the leap to The Voice UK, her job as a judge on the prime time show is one she has come to adore, because of the ability to be her authentic self. Reflecting on her new role, she adds: “I Iove doing TV, because I don’t have to go up there and act, to pretend I’m someone else.”

Meghan’s full interview is in the February issue of Happiful on sale Thursday 23rd January.

The Voice is on ITV, Saturdays at 8.30pm

This month’s issue of Happiful Magazine also features interviews with Dr Rangan Chatterjee who talks about his book, Feel Good In 5 and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge discusses his decision to put his health first. Beauty blogger Tess Daly shares her thoughts on being a role model, and columnist Grace Victory focuses on overcoming trauma in her latest column.

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com

The digital version of the magazine is also available on Happiful’s mobile app.

For more information about Happiful, images and extracts please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

Read more of Happiful Magazine on supermarket shelves nationwide on Thursday 23 January and online at happiful.com. An extract of Meghan’s interview in Happiful magazine will be available on happiful.com.

Happiful magazine is available in major supermarkets and at shop.happiful.com

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness -  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family - including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory - which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to more than 90,000 people every month.

Listen to I am. I have here

Behavioural Change Specialist and author Shahroo Izadi, writer and model Jamie Windust, body confidence coach Michelle Elman and clinical hypnotherapist Fiona Lamb, are just a few of the guests sharing their three I am’s and one I have, on the new season of the podcast.

Now in its third season, I am. I have invites guests to share their life passions as well as their own experiences with mental health and illness. The podcast reflects Happiful’s ethos that while we all have mental health, and some of us will experience, or live with mental illness it doesn’t define who we are.

At the heart of Happiful and the podcast is the belief that talking about mental health can have a positive ripple effect and help to remove remaining stigmas around reaching out and talking to others.

The first two series of I am. I have featured interviews with Estée Lalonde, Rose McGowan, Munroe Bergdorf, Life Coach Ben Bidwell, Book of Man Editor Martin Robinson, Therapist Dr Lee Valls, Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, and Happiful Columnist Grace Victory.

Episodes are released every Monday, and you can subscribe to I am. I have, here.

Episode Guide

1. Shahroo Izadi - 13 January 2020

Shahroo is a Behavioural Change Specialist and author of The Kindness Method and The Last Diet. You can listen to Shahroo’s podcast now

2. Jamie Windust - 20 January 2020

Jamie is an award Winning Editor, Writer, Public Speaker and Model. Jamie’s TedXLondon talk entitled “Support for trans people isn’t radical - it’s urgent” was released in January 2020

3. Fiona Lamb on quitting smoking - 27 January 2020

Fiona is a critically acclaimed advanced clinical hypnotherapist, speaker and trainer based at The Hale Clinic in Harley Street. Fiona specialises in anxiety, addictions, emotional eating and insomnia. Fiona has recently released the MindDetox app.

4. Michelle Elman - 3 February 2020

Michelle is the founder of Scarred Not Scared and an accredited life coach and award-winning body positive activist. In 2018, she was awarded Body Positive Activist of the Year by the Yours Awards and she released her debut book "Am I Ugly".

Details of future episodes to be announced in late January.

I am. I have. was launched by Happiful and sister company Counselling Directory, a site which helps people to find the help they need, in January 2019. It  received a brilliant reception and I am. I have was named podcast of the Year at PPA Independent Publishers’ Awards in November 2019.

I am. I have is hosted by Lucy Donoughue, contributing writer and Head of Content and Communications for Happiful.

For more information contact Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Happiful’s Twitter and Instagram

#iamihave

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I am. I have is produced by Happiful and Fresh Air Production

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness -  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

To read more about mental health and wellbeing, visit the app store and download the new Happiful app. You can read our magazine on the go as well as finding out more about therapy, wellbeing and other support available in your area.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family - including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory - which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to over 70,000 people across the UK every month.

At 17 years old, Chessie King was experiencing anxiety around the way she looked, as at 6ft, she was much taller than her peers. Her anxiety continued to grow throughout her teens, and her focus changed from her height to her body and how it was perceived by others.

“I became widely addicted to what I looked like. I focused on every single part of me that I hated. I became fixated on other people and trying to look like them instead of becoming myself,” explains Chessie.

The fashion industry has long been critiqued for its ‘one size fits all’ approach, something Chessie later learnt when scouted by a modelling agency. She shares how she was criticised, edited and judged, which led her to develop an unhealthy mindset and extreme dieting obsession.

Chessie explains that she didn’t recognise herself after an agency edited photos of her, as she watched on: “When the photos went out, that’s how they looked. I was like, that’s not me… That is definitely not me.”

As well as modelling, Chessie’s involvement in bikini competitions had an impact on her mental health from this rigid, strict routine. “Sometimes I would be training at five in the morning, crying on a treadmill.” She described the process as: “Physically and mentally exhausting.”

After following this lifestyle but not meeting the standards of the judges, Chessie was left in “rebellion mode”. Coming out the other side, she reflects on this experience and how it helped to shape the way she views herself now. “When you have to go through that and then come out the other side, you do appreciate your body even more.”

Part of Chessie’s inner-love comes from appreciating her own body and how it works: “Sometimes I literally just put my hand on my heart, and I think, thank you so much for keeping me alive.”

Chessie’s mission now is to help teenagers to respect and appreciate themselves too. She launched her campaign Dedicate to Educate in June 2019, calling for an extra hour of learning on mental health, body image, and sex education.

Chessie hopes to be a role model for young people, using her own experience as an example, knowing first-hand the liberation practising self-compassion can bring. “I went through a stage when I was 18 to 23 of just hating myself,” she shares. “And now I’ve come full circle and I’m back to being free.”

Happiful’s January issue also contains a New Year’s supplement, guest-edited by Natasha Devon MBE. “This supplement is jam-packed with practical strategies to help you overcome the psychological and physical hurdles that might be preventing you from being the best version of yourself.” says Devon who has been working with Mental Health First Aid England on the ‘Where’s Your Head At’ campaign.

The New Year edition of Happiful features an interview with BBC broadcaster and writer, Claudia Hammond who shares the top 10 activities to relax and rest. Vegan chefs, Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, the faces behind BOSH! explore the pros of flexatarianism on the environment. This month, Grace Victory’s column explores how we can find a counsellor who is right for us.

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Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com

For more information about Happiful, images and extracts please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

Read more of Happiful Magazine on shelves on Thursday 19th December and online at happiful.com.

An extract of Chessie’s interview for Happiful magazine will be available on happiful.com.
The magazine, published independently by Happiful, and is supported by sister directories including Counselling Directory, Nutritionist Resource, Therapy Directory, Hypnotherapy Directory and Life Coach Directory.

Happiful’s Christmas issue features Lauren Mahon, co-host of the multi-award winning Radio 5 live Podcast, You Me and The Big C and founder of the incredible of charitable business GIRL VS CANCER.

Those who follow Lauren (@iamlaurenmahon) will know she injects a large amount of personality, energy, and drive into her work which, as well as broadcasting, includes raising money and awareness about cancer and its impact - something she began after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.  

Now cancer-free Lauren spoke to Happiful about her recent decision to work with a counsellor to process the past few years and look to the future “I started seeing a therapist...and it has really helped me to stand back a bit and look at how I’m living”.

“I’m still in cancer mode, thinking that tomorrow isn’t promised so there’s urgency  in everything I do and actually, I have to stop and allow myself some space to be happy.”

Reflecting, she shares “I’ll always have GIRL VS CANCER, I’ll always want to support people. However, I am very lucky that my cancer - touch wood - is gone, so I think I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t give myself space to live without cancer both physically, and in my head.”

Happiful’s December issue also features an interview with It’s Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies) curator, Scarlett Curtis.

Scarlett shows a passion for helping others live with mental health challenges through sharing her personal experiences. In her teens she faced panic attacks and was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Looking back at this time she says, “I just remember thinking, ‘Oh wow, this might be the rest of my life”.

Scarlett elaborates on how she eventually found acceptance of this, “It took a lot for me to accept and understand I could still have an alright life, and that I was probably always going to have some of these issues.”

It’s evident that Scarlett’s anthology has had a great impact on the mental health community and beyond, when talking about the reception to her work, she mentions the positive feedback from those who don’t have mental health challenges themselves, “They say: ‘I’ve never been through mental health illness but it’s helped me understand more.”

From challenging mental health stigma in society, to the NHS, former doctor Adam Kay knows all too well the mental strain that can come from a high pressure job. Happiful talks to the comedian who is touring the UK with his show, based on his book, Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas.  

Adam shares how doctors can be reluctant to open up about their mental health and urges for changes within the NHS that makes it that’s easier for them to do so..

“You can’t look after your patients if you’re not looking after yourself. You can only look after yourself if there’s an openness about mental wellbeing.”

Adam also encourages people to think of health professionals during the festive season, and he knows first hand the difference it makes “ Just like giving a card to the postman, put the NHS on your list, because I found a thank you does make a real difference. I still have every card that patients ever gave or sent me. I've thrown away almost every other remanent of of my time as a doctor, but I will never throw away those, because they made more of a difference to me than the people who sent them will probably ever know.”

This Christmas, Happiful are encouraging readers to send on a message of support with our free cards illustrated by Becky Johnston, available in the December edition of the magazine.

Read more of Happiful Magazine on shelves on Thursday 21 November and online at happiful.com. An extract of Lauren’s interview in Happiful magazine will be available on happiful.com.

Notes To Editors

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com

For more information about Happiful, images and extracts please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Happiful is the only UK lifestyle magazine purely devoted to mental health.The magazine, published independently by Happiful, and is supported by sister directories including Counselling Directory, Nutritionist Resource and Life Coach Directory.

Happiful magazine, the UK’s mental health magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health, have been shortlisted for the Publication Award at the Mind Media Awards 2019. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday 13 November at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s Southbank, hosted by Greg James.

The Mind Media Awards recognise and celebrate the best possible representations of mental health across TV, radio, print and online and this year, the headline sponsor is private healthcare provider Bupa.

Counselling Directory, part of the Happiful family are sponsoring and presenting the Documentary award.  The shortlisted documentaries are; David Harewood: Psychosis and Me, Dr Chris and Dr X and Investigate: Mental Health Special, Healing Minds, Iraq: A State of Mind and Louis Theroux: Mothers on the Edge. Happiful Columnist Grace Victory will announce the winning documentary at Wednesday’s ceremony.

Lucy Donoughue, Happiful Head of Content and Communications, said; “Counselling Directory is delighted to sponsor the Documentary Category at this year’s Mind Media Awards. This event is such a wonderful way to highlight the amazing work taking place across the media and from charities and individuals, to educate people about mental health and illness, without further stigmatising the subject.

It’s also amazing for Happiful Magazine be shortlisted for the Publication Award - and in the terrific company of Refinery 29, The Daily Telegraph, JPI Media and Bauer Media. We feel very honoured.

We look forward to meeting everyone on the evening and hearing more about their work - and thank Mind for this opportunity. They are an amazing organisation”

—

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness -  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful magazine is supported by the Happiful family - including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory - which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to over 70,000 people across the UK every month.

Counselling Directory has been helping connect people with the help they need since 2005. Listing more than 17,000 professional counsellors and psychotherapists nationwide, everyone has the opportunity to find mental health support. Counselling Directory also provides helpful information on therapy types and common mental health concerns, articles from qualified therapists, as well as public and professional events.

To read more about the work of Happiful magazine or read the latest issue visit the website here.
To find out more about the Mind Media Awards and the 2019 nominees, visit Mind.

Following the annual PPA (Professional Publishers Association) Conference for Independent Publishers on Friday 8 November, Happiful was delighted to be named Consumer Magazine of the Year and Podcast of the Year, at the association’s award ceremony.

Rebecca Thair, Editor of Happiful Magazine said; “We are absolutely thrilled to have been named Consumer Magazine of the Year at the PPA  Independent Publisher’s Awards.

“Everything we do is about helping people find the help they need - through sharing their own stories or reading the experiences of others. So many of our readers and contributors have supported this mission, and this award is for them too.

A big thank you to the PPA, the whole Happiful team - every contributor, every therapist and every reader of the magazine. We appreciate your support and promise to continue to discuss mental health in a way that supports others and seeks to eradicate any remaining stigmas.”

Lucy Donoughue, Happiful Head of Content and Communications, and Host of I am. I have said: “It’s such an honour to  receive these two awards from such a prestigious industry association. Everyone at Happiful is so committed to producing content that helps others, so to receive this recognition is wonderful and only adds to our passion for  continuing to create and grow a supportive and inclusive community.

The podcast has been a wonderful way for us to explore the fact that mental health is something that we all have - but it doesn’t define who we are. I’d like to thank all of the guests and therapists that have chatted with us so far, for their honesty and openness to share the highs and lows of their life experiences.”

I am. I have was launched in January 2019 and to date, the first two series have featured interviews with Estee Lalonde, Rose McGowan, Munroe Bergdorf, Life Coach Ben Bidwell, Therapist Dr Lee Valls, Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, Hypnotherapist Fiona Lamb and Happiful Columnist Grace Victory. I am. I have is produced by Fresh Air Production and series 3 will begin in January 2020.

Happiful Magazine was established in March 2017 and exists to provide a supportive community, and continue conversations about mental health and illness -  sharing stories from members of the public, people in the public eye and professionals from therapeutic industries.

Happiful  magazine is supported by the Happiful family - including Counselling Directory, Life Coach Directory and Hypnotherapy Directory - which enables free distribution of the e-edition of the magazine to over 70,000 people across the UK every month.

Speaking with Happiful, the UK’s magazine devoted to talking about mental health, Chris Hughes opened up about a recent bout of anxiety he faced, explaining that he first experienced mental health challenges in the form of frequent panic attacks when he was just 19 years old.

In his late teens, Chris turned to hypnotherapy, which worked for him, and as he explains to Happiful, he was anxiety-free during his time on Love Island as a result. However, Chris shares that anxiety re-entered his life a few months ago, and increased in severity while he was on holiday with girlfriend and Little Mix star, Jesy Nelson.

Chris describes an anxious incident where he felt awful after getting drunk: “For the last three or four days of my holiday, I couldn't shake the anxiety, and I started feeling really low and down.”

To address this, Chris sought help from a clinical hypnotherapist once again, who recommended he practise self-care. “The main thing is to eliminate negative thoughts,” says Chris. He now prioritises time outdoors, eating healthy foods high in omega oils, and reducing the time he spends on his phone.

One person that really understands him, Chris shares, is girlfriend Jesy, who faced depression and anxiety herself after receiving brutal comments and bullying on social media. “Just seeing all the things she has been through and overcome, she deserves every bit of happiness now,” Chris says, and describes how hard it was watching Jesy’s BBC Three documentary, Odd One Out.  “It broke my heart. It was difficult to watch.”

Chris says that the pair have a deep understanding and relate to each other’s struggles.

Today, Chris is working on his mental health journey and speaks out about the importance of talking. “Many men feel that speaking about their feelings is a vulnerability, a weakness, but I’ve always seen the benefits in it. It’s little obstacles… you’re not going to be happy every day of your life; it’s normal to have low points. Now I just want to shake it, and I’m trying to do everything right in my lifestyle to make myself feel better.”

Chris spoke with Happiful to raise awareness of Movember and encourage readers to support the men’s health charity and movement this November. Find out more at uk.movember.com

Chris’ full interview is in the November issue of Happiful on sale Thursday 17 October.  

This month's issue also features writer and mental health advocate Richard Taylor who shares how men can support each other by talking about their mental health, and Luke Ambler, the founder of suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club, talks about his role as a motivational speaker and parent. Grace Victory’s November column focuses on how we can manage social anxiety as we approach the festive season.

Happiful is the UK’s magazine devoted to promoting a better conversation around mental health and illness.

The magazine is free in a digital format, to everyone who subscribes at happiful.com

For more information about Happiful, images and extracts please contact PR Officer Alice Greedus on alice.greedus@happiful.com

Notes To Editors

Read more of Happiful Magazine on shelves on Thursday 17 October and online at happiful.com. An extract of Chris’ interview in Happiful magazine will be available on happiful.com.

Happiful is the only UK lifestyle magazine purely devoted to mental health.

The magazine, published independently by Happiful, and is supported by sister directories including Counselling Directory, Nutritionist Resource and Life Coach Directory.