The brave decision of an MP to speak out this week has inspired Tameside Radio presenter Alex B Cann's latest column, which covers a very important subject.

It's been a fractious time in politics in recent weeks, as Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss go head-to-head in the battle to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. At times, the campaign has got pretty personal, with mudslinging galore over expensive shoes, heated swimming pools, and embarrassing archive footage emerging which I'm sure both candidates would rather remain firmly in the vaults.

I'm not here to debate the merits of 0.29 per cent of the UK population choosing our next PM (roughly 180,000 to 200,000 Tory Party members) ; rather, I'd like to express my admiration for Tory MP William Wragg, who announced in a short statement on Twitter this week that he's taking a short break to manage his depression and anxiety, both of which have been high recently. In fact, to quote the MP for Hazel Grove and Chair of the public administration committee, he has been "resisting the temptation to give up entirely". He goes on to say "I know how I feel is far from unique. I would say to anyone who feels similarly, that they should speak to someone they trust, seek and accept support".

Support quickly came from across the political spectrum, with Denton MP Andrew Gwynne tweeting: "You take some recovery time, your office can deal with casework, etc, and get yourself back to how you should be". Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael added "Best wishes to you William". 

The truth is, being a politician can't be a job for the thin-skinned, which almost certainly rules us delicate radio presenters out of the equation. I frequently despair at both the standard of political discourse these days, and some of the frankly vile personal comments directed at our local MPS in pretty much every comments section. There's just no need for it, in my view. Disagree as much as you want on matters of policy, but resorting to playground bully insults will never win the argument.

I have huge admiration for someone in WIlliam Wragg's position making the decision to step back from the limelight and take some time out for self care. It's a courageous move, and hopefully will do a little more to lift the stigma which still surrounds honest conversations about mental health. I recently spoke to Jason from TOG Mind on Tameside Radio, and with the cost of living continuing to spiral, more people are finding things difficult than ever at the moment. Talking about things is so important.

Pop star Shawn Mendes is at the top of his game, with two UK number one singles and collaborations with Justin Bieber, Khalid and his ex Camila Cabello under his belt. He also recently postponed a series of shows, saying "the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be". He has thanked fans for their understanding and support, and said whilst he will still be making music, he won't be on the road again until he feels ready. In the meantime, he's been spotted relaxing with family, spending time on the beach, and taking time out for himself. Fair enough, I say. Again, a really brave decision when you're an artist under pressure from your record company, tour promoters etc.

Recent figures showed that over 40 million people in America struggle with anxiety and depression. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles also spoke out about it in 2020, missing a week of the Tokyo Olympic Games whilst battling her own mental health concerns. She is now a mental health advocate.

I feel that high profile names speaking out creates a safe space for others to come forward, and can only be a good thing. Doing my job on the radio can be quite cathartic, as I have a daily platform to express my thoughts and share a bit of my life on air. It can be difficult on a day when I don't feel on top of my game, and have a lot going on in my head, but I find broadcasting helps me process everything I've got going on in my brain. I'm a massive overthinker and worrier about stuff, although I've worked at getting better at managing this in recent years. I must admit I'm looking forward to a week off in September, as I've not taken a full week off since May 2019, and the world has changed immeasurably since then.

Look after yourself, and if you're struggling, don't be afraid to talk to someone.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. Read more of Alex's recent columns here. 

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