This week on Said Your Nan, James, Stuart and Steve take on an important and often misunderstood topic — Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16–22 March).

What does it really mean to be neurodivergent?

From ADHD and autism to dyslexia and Tourette’s, the lads explore how different brains experience the world — and why society hasn’t always been built to support them.

They dive into the stats, the stigma, and the lived reality behind the labels. From school experiences and workplace challenges to family dynamics and late diagnoses, this episode is all about understanding, empathy, and breaking down misconceptions.

Because maybe the issue isn’t people being “different”…

maybe it’s the world expecting everyone to be the same.

🔍 What We Cover

• What neurodiversity actually means (without the jargon)

• The truth about Tourette’s (and why most people get it wrong)

• How many people are actually neurodivergent

• School experiences: “naughty” vs misunderstood

• Neurodiversity in the workplace — challenge or superpower?

• The link between ADHD, autism, OCD and family traits

• Why so many adults are only discovering this later in life

📊 Key Stats From The Episode

• Around 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent

• Tourette’s affects roughly 300,000 people in the UK

• Only 10–30% of people with Tourette’s experience swearing (coprolalia)

• ADHD is 70–80% hereditary

• Only ~29% of autistic adults are in employment in the UK

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you or someone close to you experienced neurodiversity?

We’d love to hear your stories, questions, or topics you want us to cover next:

📧 saidyournan@onthemend.org.uk

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• 🌐 Website: https://www.onthemend.org.uk

In this episode of Said Your Nan, James, Stu and Steve speak with Richard, a volunteer with the Samaritans, the UK charity providing 24/7 emotional support for people struggling with their mental health, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Many people know the name Samaritans, but few know what actually happens when someone makes that call.

Richard shares his experience of being on the other end of the phone — supporting people through loneliness, crisis, and difficult moments in life. We explore why listening without judgement can be life-changing, why so many people struggle to ask for help, and what it really means to support someone experiencing emotional distress.

This conversation also touches on men’s mental health, the stigma around vulnerability, and why talking openly about how we feel is still one of the hardest — and most important — things we can do.

If you’ve ever wondered whether reaching out for help is the right thing to do, this episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to go through tough moments alone.

⚠ Content Note

This episode discusses mental health and suicide. If this topic feels difficult for you right now, please listen with care.

Support & Resources

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available.

Samaritans (UK & Ireland)

📞 Call: 116 123 (Free, 24 hours a day)

🌐 https://www.samaritans.org

📧 Email: jo@samaritans.org

You don’t need to be in crisis to reach out — Samaritans are there to listen.

Guest Mention

Richard also hosts the podcast:

🎧 The Constant Reader

A podcast exploring books, ideas, and the stories of Stephen King

Said Your Nan

🎙 Hosted by James, Stu & Steve

Honest conversations about life, mental health, masculinity, and the experiences that shape us.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it — it helps more people discover these conversations.

If you’d like to support Said Your Nan and the On the MENd charity, you can buy us a coffee here:

☕ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/saidyournan

Every bit of support helps us keep these conversations going.

Get Involved

📧 Email: saidyournan@onthemend.org.uk

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#MentalHealth

#MensMentalHealth

#SuicidePrevention

#Samaritans

#MentalHealthPodcast

On this episode, James, Stuart and Steve open the inbox again for Part 2 of our Listener Letters.

Some messages are honest.

Some are uncomfortable.

Some will make you laugh.

Some might sit with you long after the episode ends.

But every single one matters.

We genuinely appreciate everyone who listens, shares the podcast, and takes the time to write in. Season 4 has already brought some powerful conversations — and your voices are shaping where we go next.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone would talk about this…” — drop us a message. The best conversations often start with one brave email.

⸻

If anything in today’s episode resonates with you…

Please remember, you don’t have to handle it alone.

Samaritans

🌐 https://www.samaritans.org

📞 116 123 (Free, 24 hours a day)

Mind

🌐 https://www.mind.org.uk

📞 0300 123 3393

Reaching out isn’t weakness. It’s awareness.

⸻

Support Said Your Nan & On the MENd

If you’d like to support the podcast and the On the MENd charity, you can buy us a coffee here:

☕ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/saidyournan

Every contribution helps us continue creating open, honest conversations around mental health.

⸻

Get Involved

📧 saidyournan@onthemend.org.uk

🐦 @saidyournan

📸 @saidyournan

💼 LinkedIn: On The Mend

⸻

Thanks for being part of the community.