What is behind our mental health pandemic?

*CW: This episode contains discussions about suicide*

More than a hundred of you - our listeners - have been in touch to share your own experiences with mental health care (or lack of it) in this country.

Collectively, you paint a picture of a system in crisis, a pandemic particularly amongst the young which we cannot deal with.

We hear from Roman Kemp - who's called on the government to put mental health provision in all our schools.

And we talk to those working on the front line who offer their understanding of brain chemistry - where it's going wrong and what's happening in our society.

Samaritans have helplines open to all callers including young people 24/7. They also respond to emails and have an online chat system that uses volunteers and not bots. You can find Samaritans by calling 116 123.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.