<h3>*** <strong>Trigger Warning: *** </strong></h3> 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. <p>Welcome to <em>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</em>, 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.</p> <p>We are incredibly proud to share that <em>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</em> is a 2024 <strong>People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health</strong>, and was named <strong>Best Mental Health Podcast</strong> by the 2024 Women in Podcasting Awards. With <strong>over 2 million downloads</strong>, we’re honored to keep bringing conversations like this into the light.</p> <p>We're also <strong>nominated in two categories for the 2025 Podcast People's Choice Awards</strong> — the <strong>Adam Curry Legacy Category</strong> and the <strong>Health Category</strong>.<br> 🗳️ Please <strong>vote for us before July 31, 2025,</strong> at:<br> <a href="https://www.podcastawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.podcastawards.com</a> (you’ll need to verify your email).</p> <p>💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a voice message or written feedback here:<br> <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p>This is <strong>Part 1</strong> of a 2-part episode. <strong>Part 2 will be released on Thursday, July 31st, 2025.</strong></p> <hr> <h3><strong>Mental Health Quote of the Episode:</strong></h3> <em>"You don’t have to act on every emotion. Sometimes, noticing the storm is enough to survive it."</em> <hr> <h3><strong>Episode Description:</strong></h3> 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. <p>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.</p> <p>This episode focuses on:</p> <ul> <li>The experience of living with an undiagnosed mental illness</li> <li>The emotional toll of caregiving in a long-term relationship</li> <li>The differences in mental health support systems in the UK vs. Australia</li> </ul> <strong>SEO Keywords:</strong> 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 <hr> <h3><strong>Meet Our Guests:</strong></h3> <strong>Beth</strong> 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. <p><strong>Noel</strong> 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.</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></h3> <ol> <li><strong>Recovery is non-linear</strong> — Beth’s healing came with setbacks, detours, and growth across decades.</li> <li><strong>Caregivers are deeply affected</strong> — Noel’s experience shows how supporting someone through mental illness takes an emotional toll.</li> <li><strong>Getting the right help matters</strong> — The difference in care between the UK and Australia was life-changing.</li> </ol> <hr> <h3><strong>Actionable Items:</strong></h3> <ol> <li><strong>Don’t wait for a crisis</strong> — Seek therapy or support early, even if things feel manageable.</li> <li><strong>Check on caregivers</strong> — Partners, family members, and friends supporting someone may be suffering in silence.</li> <li><strong>Explore DBT</strong> — Dialectical Behavior Therapy gave Beth the tools to regain control of her life.</li> </ol> <hr> <h3><strong>Chapters / Timestamps:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>[00:00] Welcome & Introductions</strong> Meet Beth and Noel and learn why this episode is so personal for the hosts.</li> <li><strong>[03:00] Childhood & Trauma</strong> Beth reflects on growing up with emotional instability and disordered eating patterns.</li> <li><strong>[13:00] University Collapse</strong> An inside look at her breakdown during graduate sch