Edge Hill University’s new podcast, “What’s in Your Head,” continues with its first series focused on normalising mental health conversations with a deeply personal and inspirational second episode featuring Nurse graduate and Edge Hill alumni Paige Rivers and Sports Development Officer, Jack McFen.
The episode details Paige’s incredible journey of survival and recovery from childhood trauma and anorexia, which led her to the brink of palliative care.
Her journey and the services available for others was the catalyst for a new, male-focused peer support initiative at the University called Monumental co-founded by herself and Jack.
Monumental addresses the lack of safe, male-focused mental health support options often found in clinical or university settings.
Paige bravely shared her experience with an eating disorder, detailing a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, battling kidney failure and the ultimate breakthrough that came from disclosing her trauma. Her recovery has fuelled her drive to enter healthcare and champion student well-being.
During the episode, Paige said: “I was given an opportunity to go to a hospital in London. I was told that was my last chance and then I’d need to go on to palliative care. When I was there, everything changed. I disclosed my trauma, and I turned a corner.”
Jack openly shares his struggles with mental health and admitted that finding outlets such as going to the gym and maintaining a good routine has been vital to his wellbeing. In addition, he is of the mindset that everyone needs to discover what works best for their own mental well-being, especially since we are all dealing with significant challenges.
Jack said: “We want to try and create a preventative program that meets before that eruption happens.
“We want to have a group where there’s a safe space for men to be open and honest, hold each other accountable. We want to remove the ego, keep each other accountable and just help each other thrive.”
Paige noted that in years of treatment, she ‘never saw a male’.
She continued: “Men also suffer with mental health, with eating disorders and the support isn’t very tailed to them.
“I said, I can’t create this programme because I’m not a man, I need you to build this for me. I wanted to provide something that wasn’t there.”
The Monumental programme runs bi-weekly, incorporating a mix of social activities (pool, table tennis) and structured discussions on topics like resilience and well-being.
The approach focuses on providing a “toolbox” for mental health management, rather than focusing solely on mental illness. It is open to all staff. To find out more about the Monumental programme, email [email protected]
The podcast, hosted by Gareth Roberts and Chris Kirkland, former Liverpool Goalkeeper and Edge Hill Honorary Doctor, both share their experiences with mental health, talk about the power of talking and talking as critical steps toward mental wellness.
Listeners can look forward to a minimum of one episode published every month, featuring expert guests and inspirational stories. Episodes of Edge Ahead will be available to stream on Spotify and on YouTube. Whether you’re on campus or tuning in from afar, Edge Hill invites everyone to join the conversation.
Edge Hill University offers a dedicated student support service, providing mental health and wellbeing advice, as well as other help and support.
November 3, 2025
