11 - Hormones and mental health: Ben West discusses how having hard conversations can save lives

The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Dr Louise Newson

Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Medicine

4.8 • 798 Ratings

🗓️ 10 June 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Content advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide ‘You're not just losing a person. You're losing all of those memories’ In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by mental health campaigner and author, Ben West. At 17, Ben’s world was turned upside down when he lost his younger brother, Sam, to suicide at just 15 years old. What followed was a life-altering journey through grief, resilience, and purpose. Ben transformed personal tragedy into powerful advocacy – raising awareness around mental health, challenging stigma, and driving real change in how we support mental wellbeing, especially within the education system. Together they explore how hormones, medication, stress and lifestyle can all impact mental health, and why understanding these factors could change how we approach conversations around suicide and depression. Ben also completed an ultra-marathon to raise funds for Shout, a 24/7 text messaging service providing support for mental health and suicide prevention. To find out how you can volunteer or donate, visit their website here. Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email [email protected] To learn more about Ben West, visit his Instagram here and check out This Book Could Save Your Life, available here. If you would like to make a change to the way schools train their teachers on mental health issues, sign the petition here. Available to watch on YouTube We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group. LET'S CONNECT Website: Dr Louise Newson Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube CONNECT WITH BEN WEST Website: Ben West Instagram: Ben West (@iambenwest) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: Ben West | LinkedIn

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, I'm Dr Louise Newsom and welcome to my podcast. I'm a GP, menopause specialist and founder of the free balance app.
0:12.0	My mission, to break the taboos around women's health and hormones, shining a light on the issues we've been too afraid to talk about.
0:20.6	From contraception, sex and testosterone to menopause-related addictions and beyond, we're covering it all.
0:28.5	I'll also be joined by experts and inspiring guests, sharing insights and real stories,
0:33.8	as well as answering your questions and tackling the topics that matter to you the most.
0:41.8	Today on my podcast I've had Ben West, who's a mental health campaigner and author.
0:47.0	He's got an amazing story, very sad. He lost his brother by suicide when he was only a teenager.
0:56.4	And we talk a lot about mental health,
1:02.1	of course mental health and hormones, but in general how we can help improve how people are feeling and open up the conversation more to hopefully reduce more deaths by suicide. So it's a
1:08.8	great listen. So Ben's a great listen.
1:17.2	So Ben, thanks ever so much for coming to my lovely studio that you've already complimented me on, which is great. It's lovely in her. So calming. I know. Well, you know,
1:22.6	life's really hectic and I just wanted somewhere calm and comfortable. But I'm really excited that you're here.
1:29.0	You've got a story which is sad for lots of reasons.
1:33.1	We'll obviously talk about it.
1:34.6	And most people, thankfully, haven't had your experience, but most of us have had
1:39.4	bereavements that have affected us in different ways.
1:42.6	You probably know bits about my work and hormones have a massive role in our brains.
1:48.2	And mental health and hormones, mental health is something that I am so passionate about.
1:54.8	Obviously, the brain is the most important organ of our body.
1:57.4	I don't need to tell you that.
1:59.2	But mental health means different things to different
2:01.4	people. Lots of people have a bad day and say they're really depressed. Most people who are
	...

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