Beth and Noel’s Mental Health Journey – Part 1: Surviving the Storm

*** Trigger Warning: *** 

This episode contains personal stories involving eating disorders, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and hospitalization for mental health crises. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are triggering for you, please consider skipping this episode or listening with support.

Welcome to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, where we talk honestly about what mental health really looks like — messy, real, and deeply human. In this powerful two-part series, we sit down with Beth and Noel to hear their shared story of survival, love, and resilience.

We are incredibly proud to share that Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health, and was named Best Mental Health Podcast by the 2024 Women in Podcasting Awards. With over 2 million downloads, we’re honored to keep bringing conversations like this into the light.

We're also nominated in two categories for the 2025 Podcast People's Choice Awards — the Adam Curry Legacy Category and the Health Category.
🗳️ Please vote for us before July 31, 2025, at:
https://www.podcastawards.com (you’ll need to verify your email).

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https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a

This is Part 1 of a 2-part episode. Part 2 will be released on Thursday, July 31st, 2025.

Mental Health Quote of the Episode:

"You don’t have to act on every emotion. Sometimes, noticing the storm is enough to survive it."

Episode Description:

In this emotionally raw and eye-opening episode, Beth shares her mental health journey, spanning childhood trauma, eating disorders, misdiagnoses, and suicide attempts. She opens up about growing up in a volatile household, dealing with body image and control issues, and finding hope in therapy later in life.

Her partner, Noel, joins to reflect on his role as both a loving spouse and a caregiver, offering a rare perspective on what it means to support someone through mental health crises. Together, Beth and Noel tell a story of heartbreak, hospitalizations, and ultimately, healing.

This episode focuses on:

• The experience of living with an undiagnosed mental illness
• The emotional toll of caregiving in a long-term relationship
• The differences in mental health support systems in the UK vs. Australia

SEO Keywords: mental health, eating disorders, suicide survival, caregiver mental health, borderline personality disorder, DBT, UK mental health system, Australia mental health services, trauma healing, mental illness recovery

Meet Our Guests:

Beth is a microbiologist and survivor who has overcome severe mental health challenges with the help of DBT, supportive care, and her determination. Her honesty and insight make this a truly moving story.

Noel is a musician and podcast editor (and the one who makes us sound good!). He has spent more than two decades by Beth’s side — a caregiver, partner, and advocate — often quietly holding things together when everything else fell apart.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recovery is non-linear — Beth’s healing came with setbacks, detours, and growth across decades.
2. Caregivers are deeply affected — Noel’s experience shows how supporting someone through mental illness takes an emotional toll.
3. Getting the right help matters — The difference in care between the UK and Australia was life-changing.

Actionable Items:

1. Don’t wait for a crisis — Seek therapy or support early, even if things feel manageable.
2. Check on caregivers — Partners, family members, and friends supporting someone may be suffering in silence.
3. Explore DBT — Dialectical Behavior Therapy gave Beth the tools to regain control of her life.

Chapters / Timestamps:

• [00:00] Welcome & Introductions Meet Beth and Noel and learn why this episode is so personal for the hosts.
• [03:00] Childhood & Trauma Beth reflects on growing up with emotional instability and disordered eating patterns.
• [13:00] University Collapse An inside look at her breakdown during graduate school and the silent battles she fought.
• [23:00] Suicide Attempts & Overdoses Beth speaks openly about her darkest moments and her hospitalizations.
• [31:00] Discovering DBT A turning point in her recovery journey — learning tools that made hope possible.
• [36:00] Mental Health Systems: UK vs. Australia Noel and Beth explain how access to proper care changed everything.

References:

• Vote for us in the 2025 Podcast People's Choice Awards: https://www.podcastawards.com
• Leave feedback: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a
• Add your review: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews

Mental Health Resources

Australia

• Lifeline – https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Provides 24-hour crisis counselling, suicide prevention, and support groups. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online.
• Suicide Call Back Service – https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ 24/7 telephone and online support for people in emotional crisis. Call 1300 659 467.
• Beyond Blue – https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Offers mental health support and resources to reduce stigma around depression and anxiety. Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online 24/7.
• MindSpot – https://www.mindspot.org.au/ A free service for adults experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood, or depression. Call 1800 61 44 34 (not for emergencies).
• Medicare Mental Health – https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/ Helps connect you to local services for mental health support. Call 1800 595 212.
• MensLine Australia – https://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/ Free 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men. Call 1300 78 99 78 or chat online.
• Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorders) – https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/chat-online/ Provides specialist support for eating disorders. Call 1800 33 4673, 8 am–midnight AEST/AEDT, or chat online.

United Kingdom

• Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/ Offers 24/7 emotional support in complete confidence. Call 116 123 or email [email protected].
• SHOUT – https://giveusashout.org/ Free 24/7 confidential text support for people in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258.
• Mind UK – https://www.mind.org.uk/ Provides information and support for those with mental health concerns. Call 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected].
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support A suicide prevention charity offering help for anyone struggling. Call 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat (open 5 pm–midnight daily).
• Beat Eating Disorders – https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ UK-wide support for people with eating disorders. Call 0808 801 0433

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