Mental Health Real Talk (PART 1 OF 4)

Mental Health is something I'm extremely passionate about. Not just because of my life’s work as a coach and CBT practitioner, but because of my own experience, and the experiences of those close to me when it comes to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Today, the 10th of October 2025, is also International World Mental Health Day,

This year’s objective is to increase global awareness of mental health issues and advocate for better support, especially in times of crisis. The theme for this year puts the focus on Mental health in humanitarian emergencies, while the campaign aims to raise awareness, mobilize efforts, and ensure mental health care is accessible to everyone. - Emphasizing it’s a lifeline, not a luxury. 

And that’s all great and very necessary. But, are the statistics, theoretical jargon and awareness days or campaigns, really helping the everyday person to cope with the increased demands, and real-life stressors that continue to elevate our anxiety, depression and stress levels (even short term ones)? Do they support us in protecting and maintaining our overall mental health from a standpoint of being active instead of re-active, and to drive prevention of mental health disorders, rather than to focus on just the cure for the medically classified ones?

In today’s episode of The Breakthrough Podcast, we get real about mental health. I have a very honest, vulnerable and real conversation with my friend Toni Botha in this episode (Please note this is Part 1 of a 4 part series), about what mental health really is outside of just the boxes that the medical industry puts them in. 

In this episode, I’m not only speaking from my experience and knowledge as a coach and CBT Practitioner, but as someone who had a very real, very personal mental health breakdown, not too long ago.

• TRIGGER WARNING: Because we really care about you, please note that this episode carries a Trigger Warning. We do cover some very sensitive topics like addiction, substance abuse and self-harm, - so listener discretion is advised. 
• DISCLAIMER:  The information, advice and views shared in this episode are not medical advice. They are just our own experiences, views and advice that we share. So if you or someone you know is struggling with mental or physical health symptoms, please enlist the services, advice and assistance of a professional, certified medical healthcare practitioner.
• Please note that the statistics shared in this episode were drawn from publicly available resources on the internet and may not be 100% accurate. So please ensure that you do your own research and form your own opinions.

Thank you for tuning in. And remember to hit that subscribe button to get notified of Parts 2 to 4 of our chat, as soon as they're uploaded right here on the Breakthrough Podcast.

Connect With Toni Botha On Instagram Here.