Tuning in to better times

Introducing Beth Wallace, a member of our United to Prevent Suicide movement, who talks about how her passion for radio helped her find hope, and a way forward.

Let me introduce myself.

I’m Beth Wallace and only four years ago, I really didn’t see how things could ever get better for me. I’d often have extended periods off work, daily life was a struggle, looking after myself seemed impossible sometimes and I had an unbearable heavy sadness weighing down on my shoulders.

A huge part of my world at that time was battling with thoughts of not wanting to be in this life. I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and struggled to believe brighter days would come.

A deep description of all the things I felt at that time but essentially in short…

I was struggling with thoughts of suicide.

But let me introduce you to the Beth of today.

Beth presenting football coverage at Hampden Park

I’m Beth Wallace and I’m a radio presenter on the Big Scottish Football Show, the most listened to Scottish football show on Saturday afternoons in the country.

I’m also a DJ, have released my own music and at the end of 2024 I hosted a couple of shows on BBC Radio 1.

Some turn around, I know.

From not wanting to be here anymore, to broadcasting across the country.

So what changed?

Well, just over three years ago, I presented my first ever show on a community radio station in Aberdeen and from there, it was like a switch was flicked on inside me.

I found something that brought me huge amounts of joy, lit up my life and gave me something to look forward to every week. I’m very lucky that I get to do radio for a job, but even if it was just a hobby, it would still be so special to me because it gave me hope for the future.

Radio is just one of the things that have been a huge part of my journey to recovery. A combination of things have helped me along the way.

So if you’re struggling just now, here’s some of the things that helped me:

1. Prioritise joy. Make time for your loves and your passions, whether that be people or hobbies
2. Exercise, but do exercise you actually enjoy. There is no point dragging yourself to the gym if you hate it. The thing you enjoy might be swimming, going on nice countryside walks or even dancing like nobody’s watching
3. Challenge your brain when it comes to the way you talk to yourself. I am terrible for being self critical and just generally being horrible to me when actually I’d never speak to anyone else the way I do myself. Talk to yourself like you would a loved one

Beth knows how important it to do things you love

Life is good but I still have my difficult days and those suicidal thoughts can creep in from time to time and that’s ok.

Unlike before though, the voice in my head that is hopeful for the future is a hella lot louder than it used to be, much louder than the voice telling me things won’t get better.

And that voice is right because even through the hardest of times when you think life won’t get any better, with resilience and hard work to improve your mental wellbeing — things do get better.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:

• Samaritans — 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
• Breathing Space — 0800 83 85 87
• NHS 24 mental health hub — 111
• PAPYRUS HOPELINE247–0800 068 4141 or text 88247

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.