“Take a break, find someone you trust, sit down and have a chat. You never know what might come out.”
Lucy Spraggan provided a breath of fresh air when she appeared on The X Factor in 2012, challenging the format with a unique brand of pop infused folk. Her kitchen sink songwriting helping her stand out amongst the contestants. Spraggan is a writer able to humour and candid emotion in everyday scenarios. We caught up with her to chat about her new single which continues vital conversations about male suicide.
What are you listening to, reading and watching at the moment?
I am listening to Lana Del Rey – her ‘Born To Die’ album – because it’s iconic! I’m reading ‘Goodbye, Paris’ which is the American version of my mum’s newly published book, and I’m going to watch ‘A Star Is Born’ tomorrow as I’m in love with Lady Gaga.
What has been your biggest life challenge so far and what did you do to overcome it?
I think at my darkest time in life I really struggled with my own thoughts. I got into a pretty terrible place and really had to pull myself out of it. The first part of that was letting my friends and family know how I was feeling – that was a pretty hard moment, but I was so much better for it.
Your new single ‘Stick The Kettle On’ was written in support of charity CALM to raise awareness of male suicide. What do you think are the pressures on young men?
There are too many pressures to list. Guys are expected to be this macho, indestructible superhero from pretty much late childhood ‘til the rest of time. Men are seen as providers, which isn’t always the case. They are pressured to look a certain way, to feel certain things, to be a certain sexuality, to not talk about their feelings in case they seem “weak.”
What help do you feel is out there?
There is help down many different avenues, but I know firsthand that reaching out to take that help is incredibly hard. At my lowest time I saw text services, phone numbers, email and online help but just couldn’t bring myself to go there. Looking back I’m not sure why I felt like that. There are so many important helplines and charities that are doing amazing things, I just feel like we need to normalise using them a bit more.
What have you learned about yourself over the past five or so years?
My best asset is my perseverance.
What would constitute a perfect day for you?
My wife, my dog, some autumnal weather, and our VW camper. Probably somewhere we could see the sea.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Being and feeling alive.
Complete this sentence: “Ace mental health for me means…”
Ace mental health for me means that everything else will come naturally.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
Fruit and vegetables, fresh fish… Cakes, scones, chocolate…
Do you have a daily routine of exercise or do you make it up as you go along?
I use a little timer app and rotate through several exercises. I find it useful to have a countdown as I lose interest quickly!
Here at The Mind Map we remember playing football and ‘tag’ – running around the playground every day and loving it – can you share a similar memory?
We used to run the cold tap and see who could keep their hand under it the longest. Weirdos.
What three songs lift your spirits?
Delicate – Taylor Swift
American Pie – Don McLean
There’s a Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis – Kirsty MacColl
What is your favourite self-help book, or motivational quote?
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars” by Oscar Wilde.
What advice do you offer to friends when they are feeling overwhelmed?
Take a break, find someone you trust, sit down and have a chat. You never know what might come out.