Derry woman's new podcast to focus on mental health issues

A Derry woman has launched a new podcast which aims to tackle mental health topics and will feature local guests.

Mental Health & Me was recently launched by business owner Jenna Devine who is upfront and honest about her own personal struggles.

Jenna spoke to Derry Now about her reasoning for starting up her own podcast, her personal journey with mental health and her plans for the future.

The first episode of the podcast was released on February 12 and has seen an increase in views and followers day by day. The launch video has over 30k views on Instagram and the new page for the podcast has nearly hit the 1k mark.

Mental Health & Me’s first episode sees Jenna speak with local transgender woman Jessica Khloe. Jenna provides a comfortable space for an honest conversation with Jessica about her transition, the effects of this on her mental health and her dating life.

Speaking about the new podcast Jenna said: “The main concept of the podcast is focusing on sharing the stories of guests who have had their own mental health struggles. In a way this can help people regain control of their lives and emotions. Alongside this I will be sharing my own mental health journey. Although the podcast itself only launched last week I have been working on it for a year. I had to make sure that I was fully recovered from my own struggles before I could give it 100%. I have recorded four episodes so far and they have gone really well. I have spoken with such amazing guests. I have guests lined up nearly every week. Probably enough to do me the rest of the year. It is amazing that so many people are willing to talk. I think that it is so important to talk and share your story. I have spoken to Derry comedian Diona Doherty who shared about her IVF journey. This is totally new and will be released soon.

ABOVE: Jenna Devine and Derry comedian Diona Doherty

“The podcast isn’t all doom and gloom, there is some humor in there and we do have a bit of craic. I feel like that’s what got me through, having a joke sometimes even about my own situation so it feels less awkward. It already has surpassed anything I thought it would be, which is amazing.”

Sharing her own journey about her struggles with her mental health Jenna said: “From the outside looking in I looked like I had everything. I do, don't get me wrong, but when your mental health goes and you don’t do anything to help it you can pass that fine line very fast. My marriage recently ended and I had to leave the business I created. So one week I was the owner of a well established business the next I had to sign on benefits for me and my son. It was really difficult for me and I was really down about that.

“For me personally I found when I was going through the worst things that helped me where ordinary people were sharing their own stories of struggles. Hearing their stories on podcasts, TikTok or Instagram really helped me and I thought I wanted to do the exact same. I felt there was nothing like that today in Derry. I felt the gap was there and something like this was really missing.”

After a period of time struggling, the businesswoman embarked on her venture 'House of Scents' in 2022 focusing on home fragrance and essential oil products.

Just as she was getting back on her feet Jenna had a devastating accident that broke her back.

“I was paralysed from the waist down and had to learn how to walk again. Now looking back I feel the universe was saying to me how dare you want to end your life and made the accident happen. Life is so beautiful and amazing. I have tried to have a bit of a craic with the podcast, because something I always say is when I start laughing again I’m never going to stop. I am such a life lover now, I’m not so serious about life anymore. The whole thing was a nightmare and I still have catheters in and everything but I don’t see that as a bad thing anymore. It was all a wake up call for me. I do have a unique story and I wanted to tell it so I can bring hope and empowerment to other people. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Life is beautiful when you get past the stage that you are in, it's just about pushing yourself out of that stage.

“At one stage I lived my days thinking when is this darkness ever going to end. I thought it was never going to end. Thankfully I learned how to help myself and had a great support system. I took the time to really look after myself and treat myself properly. When you are going through it you don’t see it that way. You start thinking you don’t deserve to be here. Launching the video about the podcast was really hard for me but I feel I had to share my story if I want my guests to be open, honest and vulnerable.”

House of Scents business account now has over 12k followers on Instagram and Jenna now has her own little haven of scents in the North West Business Complex in Derry City.

Looking towards the future Jenna said she hopes the podcast continues to go from strength to strength.

“It is amazing how far it has come so far. I would love to think of doing live wellbeing events down the line. There are nearly a thousand people following the page so people are already invested.”

To watch the Mental Health & Me podcast visit youtube.com/@Mentalhealth_and_me

If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health you can visit aware-ni.org/ or you can call Samaritans any time on 116 123.