From The North: How can we help our mental health during the most difficult times in life?

In this latest episode of From the North we ask how can we help our mental health during the most difficult times in life?

A warning, this podcast touches on a number of issues from addiction and terminal illness to bereavement, bullying and being open about our sexuality.

Over the course of May Granada Reports presenters Lucy Meacock and Gamal Fahnbulleh spoke to five incredible people about their mental health.

Each person has been through some kind of adversity in their life but has come through the other side.

Now, they are offering a message of hope to others who may have been affected by similar issues.

• Cathy Doyle

Cathy Doyle, from Liverpool, first tried heroin when she was 15 to escape her traumatic childhood.

In her later teenage years, she was prescribed methadone which is a drug used to help people get off of heroin.

After decades and during the COVID lockdown, Cathy weened herself off methadone and was completely drug free.

Cathy says she would tell her younger self: "I would say I'm proud of you, keep going and never give up.

"I'm proud of who she became. No matter what life threw at her, she never gave in. I'm so grateful that I'm still alive."

When asked what advice she would give to current addicts, she said: "Never lose hope, never give on yourself.

"Just be true to yourself, you can achieve anything you want. Just reach out.

"I'm not special, I'm just human. It doesn't make me some strong superwoman. I've got the tools now to be able to pass onto other people and that's what I intend to do."

• Tony Collier

Tony Collier, from Altrincham, was told he had incurable prostate cancer in 2017. His initial prognosis was that he had at worst two years to live.

Six years later, Tony's cancer is stable. He has cited his resilience as part of his new outlook on life.

When asked what advice he would give to people struggling with a terminal illness diagnosis, Tony said, "just think on the positive side. It's not going to cure cancer but it will help you live a better life.

"Focus on the good things in life and try not to focus on the negative things.

"You need to try and avoid the dark place. If you're going through any form of adversity in life, just pull on that strength, that resilience.

"Because somewhere deep down there is that strength that we can call on when we need it most."

• Hadisa Hussain Afzaly

A young woman from Afghanistan who was born with a severe facial deformity says she now feels accepted by the people of Manchester for her appearance.

Hadisa Hussain Afzaly, 26, was born in Kabul in 1997 when the Taliban first ruled Afghanistan.

She was rejected by some members of her family for the way she looked.

She said: "Manchester has become my home. I'm really loving it. It's a city of literature. I always meet the most wonderful people here.

"In this country, I do feel accepted. And even if I don't, I know what my rights are and if I feel someone treating me really bad, I know what I'm doing now."

When asked her advice on what someone should do if they are currently bullying someone, Hadisa said, "when someone bullies someone else, it's sometimes an issue they're having in life. They're so much hate in the world, we don't need more.

"We need to create love and peace for people to live as happy and content as they can."

• Figen Murray

A mother who lost her son in the Manchester Arena terror attack says she forgives suicide bomber Salman Abedi to "protect her soul".

Figen Murray's son, Martyn Hett, 29, died in the explosion on 22 May 2017.

Asked what advice she would give to someone who may be struggling to forgive, Figen said: "My advice would be search your soul. Forgiveness is not condoning what the other person did.

"It's about you protecting your soul from badness."

• Nathaniel Hall

It's A Sin Actor Nathaniel Hall says he wishes he was more open about his HIV diagnosis as it now doesn't affect his life "that much".

Nathaniel, from Stockport, was told he had HIV when he was just 16 after contracting it from the first man he ever had sex with.

The now-36-year-old kept his diagnosis secret from his family for 15 years until he chose to write a play about having HIV.

When asked what advice he would give someone who is at risk, or just received a positive diagnosis, Nathaniel said: "HIV is totally treatable. I take one tablet a day, it doesn't impact my life that much.

"I go to the doctor's once every six months and I'm screened. If there's anything wrong with me, we find out really early.

"That doesn't meant to say the psychological impact isn't huge. Know that people are accepting and want to help and support you.

"Maybe take that little step towards openness and truly being yourself."

What were the key takeaways from the interviews?

Lucy and Gamal shared some of the common themes and advice from the series of interviews:

• Keeping things secret doesn't always help, find the courage to talk to someone about it

• You have an incredible capacity for resilience. Things do get better

• Get out in nature to take yourself out of the situation you are in

• Be kind to yourself to recognise the challenges you are facing

• You are never alone