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Political Instability and Mental Health: The Cost of Uncertainty

education, health, mentalhealth, psychiatrist, wellbeing /

What does political instability cost us beyond economics and national security? The psychological toll receives less attention, yet it affects the most personal parts of our lives, our sense of safety, our relationships and our confidence in the future. Changes in government, political division, international conflict, economic uncertainty and civil unrest can leave people feeling anxious […]

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Doctors as Entrepreneurs: Combining Clinical Excellence with Business Innovation

education, health, mentalhealth, psychiatrist, wellbeing /

I attended the Study Weekend, Doctors as Entrepreneurs, hosted by the Independent Doctors’ Federation last month. It was enlightening. Medicine has traditionally been viewed as a profession centred on clinical expertise, patient care and public service. Doctors spend years acquiring the knowledge, skills and experience required to diagnose illness, make complex decisions and improve the

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When Waiting Two Years Becomes Routine: The Crisis in NHS ADHD Assessments 

education, health, mentalhealth, wellbeing /

ADHD assessment waits in England have become a major access-to-care issue, with some people facing delays of 2 years or more before receiving a clinical assessment.  For many people living with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seeking an NHS assessment can be the start of a long and uncertain process.  In some parts of England,

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Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety

education, health, wellbeing /

The return to school after the summer holidays can bring mixed feelings for children, young people and families. Some are ready for the new academic year, relishing the new challenges that await. Others may feel anxious, sleep less well, or feel low. There may be difficulties settling back into a routine.  These problems can be prominent at key transition points, such as starting a new school, moving from primary

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Boost Your Focus: Practical Tips for Better Concentration

education, health, mentalhealth, psychiatrist, wellbeing /

Many of us feel that our ability to concentrate is getting worse. You may sit down to work, study or read, only to find yourself checking your phone, thinking about something else or jumping between tasks.  If you are well, good concentration is something that you can have. It is a skill that can be leant and supported. Everyone has moments when

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Coping Strategies for Examination Results Anxiety

education, health, mentalhealth, psychiatrist, wellbeing /

The period after examinations can be difficult. The revision is over, the papers have been sat, and there is nothing more you can do to change the answers. There is a feeling relief but you may find yourself reviewing the questions and your answers.  When we do not know the outcome of something important, anxiety can feel overwhelming and lead to catastrophising.  Optimism can be helpful during this uncertain

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Understanding the Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke

education, health, mentalhealth /

Wildfires most widespread health threat is smoke that can travel hundreds or of miles.  As fires grow more frequent and severe, understanding smoke exposure is essential for protecting respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health.  Wildfire smoke can travel far beyond the fire zone and affect communities hundreds of miles away.  Fine particulate matter is a health threat because

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Factors Contributing to Falling Healthy Life Expectancy in the UK

education, health, mentalhealth, wellbeing /

For decades, rising prosperity was expected to bring longer, healthier lives. In the UK, that assumption is not realised. While overall life expectancy has broadly stalled, healthy life expectancy, which is the number of years lived in good general health, is now falling.  ONS data puts healthy life expectancy at around 60.7 years for men

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Understanding Vicarious Trauma: Recognising the Signs and Protecting Your Wellbeing

education, health, mentalhealth /

Many professionals dedicate their careers to helping others through difficult and often traumatic experiences. While this work can be incredibly meaningful, it can also take an emotional toll.  There is a profound difference between experiencing a traumatic event firsthand and listening to someone else recount theirs. Your brain and your nervous system do not always recognise this. 

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Challenging Cognitive Distortions for Better Mental Health

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We do not experience the world exactly as it is; our experience is through our thoughts. Most of the time, that helps us make quick sense of what is occurring. However, when we are stressed, anxious, or feeling low, our thinking can start to be distorted.  These patterns are called cognitive distortions,ways of thinking can make situations

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