This week, Walk In My Shoes (WIMS), a charity aimed at promoting mental health awareness, are running a pop up radio station, which is broadcasting from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

The aim of the radio station is to raise €10,000 to help young Irish people with their mental health.

WIMS Radio is hoping to encourage listeners to become involved in the conversation and stigmas that often surround mental health. It aims to get young people talking about their mental health, as early detection is key when it comes to dealing with it.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the motto of the charity is ‘a small step, a huge difference’.

Stephen Cahill is a radio student in Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE), who is currently working on the research team for the Aiden Power and Andrew Stanley show in the mornings.

“I’m really enjoying working on the show. I worked on it last year and already I’ve noticed a massive improvement in the quality of the show,” said Stephen.

“It’s mostly run by students from BCFE, and we’re so lucky to get this experience.

“I’m also a massive advocate for mental health myself, so even on a personal level I’m delighted to be involved in the show,” he added.

WIMS radio aims to interview guests who may have previously suffered with their mental health, or that have a positive message that they could share with their listeners.

“We had William Meara (former DIT Student), on the show on Monday morning, and he is running a two night retreat called ‘UnPlug’ which basically teaches you how to manage your social media rather than letting it managing you. It includes activities such as Yoga, and provides a full vegetarian diet to help you relax and unwind,” he said.

“I think that’s definitely very important in today’s society as people don’t realise how dangerous social media can be for our mental health.”

Other familiar faces on the station include Bressie,  Al Porter and Sile Seoige.

“I remember Bressie being on our show last year, and I was just in awe. The way he spoke about his own battle with mental health really resonated with me. This was just before the launch of his book ‘Me and My Mate Jeffery’, which I’m sure he’ll be discussing later in the week,” Stephen said.

If you’ve missed any of the shows on Walk In My Shoes Radio, don’t worry, as you can catch their podcast on their website or listen in live on 94.3FM.

You can also donate €2 by texting ‘Shoes’ to 57802, or for more details simply visit their website.