The Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has chosen local community station Riverside Radio to host a special hour long live show Mental Health Matters with Dr Rosena on Monday 6th September 6-7pm.

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This will be the Tooting MP’s first-ever broadcast presenting her own programme.

Dr Allin-Khan will speak to guests about the importance of mental health. She will also take calls from local people on this vital subject that is increasingly relevant to us all.

She promises “an honest, straight-talking hour” when she will be “diving into why mental health matters” and more importantly, “why yours matters”.

Dr Allin-Khan was elected to the Tooting seat in 2016 when the former incumbent Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor of London. She describes the last 18 months as “an incredible challenge, highlighting the importance of mental health care” and recognises the need for “true parity of esteem between physical and mental health”.

She suggests: “One step we can take towards reducing any stigma is by being open in our conversations around mental health.”

Broadcasting on the radio is a first for Dr Allin-Khan:

“Never in my wildest dreams did I consider being a radio presenter myself but one of the things I love most about being a doctor, as well as an MP, is connecting with people. This is an exciting opportunity to connect with my community in a new way”.

Why did Dr Allin-Khan select Riverside Radio? “It’s a wonderful local station and an important  part of our South West London community. Riverside Radio is the ideal place to connect with residents and talk about an issue that affects each and every one of us – our mental health.”

Jason Rosam, Managing Director of Riverside Radio is “thrilled” Dr Allin- Khan has chosen the station, he said

“this is what community radio is all about. I’m delighted Dr Rosena will bring her expertise in metal health and wellbeing to our audience in south west London after a very difficult year for all of us.”

The station is asking local people with any mental health related questions to email rosena@riversideradio.com for a chance to take part in the show.

Riverside Radio is a volunteer-led 24/7 digital station based in Battersea covering the London boroughs of Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton and Lambeth. Last year it won Digital Community Station of the Year at the Community Radio Awards.

Mental Health Matters airs live on Monday 6th September from 6pm to 7pm. You can listen online at RiversideRadio.com, DAB Digital Radio in London, on your smart speaker and through the Riverside Radio app on mobiles.