Now We’re Really Talking to Elliot Colburn

For this week's episode, I am joined by Elliot Colburn. Elliot is a former MP, and now working for Samaritans. 

Elliot shares his experience of first struggling with his mental health at university, and later facing a much more serious crisis while serving as a Member of Parliament. We explore how pressure, loneliness, and life in the public eye can intensify mental health difficulties and why it’s often impossible to point to one single “cause”.

We talk about recovery and the fear many people carry about relapsing after starting to feel better. Elliot reflects on returning to work, eventually sharing his story in Parliament and the powerful response that followed.

We also discuss losing his seat in 2024, the emotional impact of such a public job loss, and how leaning on others helped protect his mental health during that transition. Finally, Elliot shares how he came to work for Samaritans, and why he believes conversation and human connection are central to suicide prevention.

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If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org. 

If you’re elsewhere, you can find local helplines at findahelpline.com.

If you’re in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services. 

Find out more about Elliot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-colburn-b13665104/

Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking 

Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork 

If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com. 

The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be The Change Media Network or its partners.