The Oaktree Clinic are proud to announce that we are planning an Open Day.
So on Thursday 25th May at 4:30pm The Oaktree Clinic is opening our doors to the public so we can help de-stigmatise the image of mental health in the community.
There will be drinks, refreshments and a whole load of knowledge that our mental health professionals will impart to those that attend.
The open day will feature the following sessions:
Quick Clinic
Overseen by Dr Singh, these sessions will give a chance to ask psychiatrists questions about cases, for advice, about psychiatry, about medicine or the brain. Basically it’s a psychiatry drop-in session! For those that feel they might need help, or those with a burning question about the mind.
Basic Intro to CBT
One of the most common forms of psychological treatment at the moment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT. Here there will be explanations of what it is, how it works, what an initial session would consist of (the condensed version) and a patient example. As well as a Q&A.
rTMS
A revolutionary method for treating depression, anxiety and most other neuro-psychiatric issues, rTMS is currently not widely known in the UK. Here our trained professionals will explain about the treatment, how it works, the practicalities of the treatment, even how it feels! Then there’s also the science part – scans, the brain, and the relationship between psychiatry and neurology. Get completely clued up on this wonderful new treatment.
Tours
You may have seen The Oaktree Clinic from the outside, but now you can be guided around and see the causal warmth and unique decor of the interworking of Oaktree yourself.
Relaxation
The world is an increasingly stressful place… sometimes you need to take some time to relax and unwind. Experience some relaxation techniques such as muscle relaxation, visualisation and breathing relaxation.
Emotional Regulation
Life, as a great man once sang, is a rollercoaster. In our Emotional Regulation session we will give you the opportunity to learn some techniques for managing emotions in daily life.
The open day is from 4:30pm-7pm on Thursday 25th May at The Oaktree Clinic in Edgbaston. Hopefully we will see you then.
You may have heard in the news recently of a man whose wife was killed by an older driver who mistook accelerator for the brake. On the back of this traumatic incident, Mr Ben Brooks-Dutton has started a popular online petition for over 70s to be retested every year for fitness to drive. Many have agreed and yet some have posted some vile messages.
Generally speaking, older drivers are safe drivers for many reasons; they drive few miles, drive locally, and avoid rush hours and night driving. It is unfortunate that accidents involving older drivers often call attention to their driving.
Statistically speaking, the rates of fatalities increase slightly after age 70 and significantly more after 85. We all age differently, some more than others. Some have better physical and mental agility than others. The common denominator however is increasing age. With age come physical and mental changes that can affect driving abilities. The physical changes that are seen include: decrease in vision, hearing impairment, decrease in muscle strength, reduced flexibility in the joints and impaired co-ordination. Reduced motor reflexes can affect the threshold of reacting to a hazard on the road. Various medical conditions and medications also add to the physical health burden. Mental capabilities to deal with the melee of sensory stimulus and stressors on the road may also reduce.
It is of utmost importance that an older driver takes charge of their health and steps to stay safe on the road. Practical steps consist of regular health MOT (eyes, hearing, sugar and cholesterol level check-ups), making changes to the car for effortless driving (automatic car, adaptation for smooth steering and brakes) and being mindful of driving practices that may help limit accidents (keeping safe distance from the driver at the front, parking with an adequate space to get in and out, aware of crossroads and intersections etc). Being aware that if vehicles do not flow with the traffic and speed, road-rage is not uncommon. Digital technology in newer model of cars is generally considered to be distractions by the older folks. However if used appropriately they can be immensely useful. I am not surprised to hear three-point turning is going to be replaced by the test of ‘appropriate use of SATNAV’ in the driving test, in keeping with current trend and preparedness for the future.
The tricky stage is when concerns set in. Driving a car represents a sense of achievement (I know the very feeling when I passed my test!), a sense of control and independence. Understandably the thought of relinquishing driving is emotionally charged and not easy to absorb. Generally older people continue to drive confidently and safely. When, how and who are important aspects when considering conversation about driving limitations with an older person. Near misses, accidents, health changes and self-regulations may provide an opportunity to discuss concerns. Being sensitive and respectful of feelings of the older person towards driving is the first step towards sharing your concern. Having open, periodic and graded discussions about safe driving helps towards preparedness. Men may require repeated conversations compared to women. As per surveys, older persons generally like to hear of any concerns about driving from somebody they trust; spouse, elder children, or a close friend. Studies have shown that when the ultimate decision of cessation of driving has to occur, older persons prefer to hear hard facts from a doctor (GPs as the first port of call and secondary specialist like us, when there are health problems).
In my experience, conversation regarding driving cessation is akin to ‘breaking bad news’; requiring sensitivity, a minimum of two consultations, presentation of evidence of concerns (usually gathered from family or friend) and laying down the facts of how health issues impact driving abilities. A family dialogue with the older person ahead of seeing a doctor helps in the decision process. A doctor may refer a patient to a specialist-driving centre for a comprehensive evaluation.
Although the transition from driver to passenger is not easy, older people generally achieve a balance between safety and independence. Older people and families can avail informal advice from local charitable organisations e.g. AgeUK, AgeConcern and Alzheimer’s society. Written and formal advice are also available on DVLA website.
Dr Das is a Consultant Psychiatrist with experience in assessing and treating the whole range of mental health & psychological issues in older adults. She works within the NHS and Private sector. Dr Das has special interest in treating memory problems (Adults of all ages), Alcohol & Substance Misuse in Older People and Physical & Mental Health issues in Older People with forensic history.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment for adult patients with Clinical Depression and many other psychiatric disorders. It is effective, pain free and with few or no side effects. NICE has recently approved magnetic treatment for depression and is gaining in popularity in USA, Australia and the rest of Europe but not so much in the UK. This is a grand step towards neuromodulation and physical interventions in clinical mainstream psychiatry.
We have organised a workshop where professionals could not only refresh their knowledge about the latest research about efficacy of rTMS but also about the practicalities of working with the TMS equipment. The workshop is relevant for GPs, Psychiatrists, nurses and other mental health professionals who would like to know more about this groundbreaking and effective treatment. It is in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The programme is as follows:
 09.15 – 10.15 – Overview of GMC complaints data and investigation process
10.15 – 11.15 – Revalidation update and reflection in the appraisal process
11.15 – 12.00 – Responding to complaints/the professional duty of candour
12.00- 12.45- Lunch
12.45- 1.30– Practicalities of rTMS treatment, Mr Andy Dixon, Technical representative from TMS equipment manufacturers
1.30- 2.15– Mechanism of Action of rTMS, Dr Meetu Singh, General Adult Psychiatrist & Director, Oaktree Clinic
2.15- 3.15– Research Evidence of efficacy of rTMS in depression and anxiety disorders, Dr Alex Kerr O’ Neill, Medical Director, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHSFT
3.15- 3.30- Tea and refreshments
3.30- 4.15– Evidence for efficacy of rTMS in Pain, Parkinson’s, Eating Disorders, TBA
4.15. 4.30– Conclusion and Discussion
We will have parking at the back of the building and will provide lunch & refreshments.
The cost is £75 which includes lunch and refreshments. Parking is available at the back of the building.
To book your place, contact Dawn Luck on 0121 314 0330 or by email: admin@oaktreeclinicmidlands.co.ukPayments
Card payments can be made by calling 0121 314 0330
OR
BACS payment, details below
‘1 in 4 people, like me have a mental health problem. Many more people have a problem with that.‘
Stephen Fry
I was recently asked by the Oaktree Clinic to write a blog for their page. In the midst of myriad of thoughts, the Podcast (Bryony Gordon’s: Mad World) in which Prince Harry talks about his counselling that he sought after 20 years, could not have come at a better time! Yes let’s talk about stigma in mental illness.
In the interview, the Prince, who is now 32, talks of seeking help after 20 years and especially enduring ‘total chaos’ for two years that affected both his personal and professional life. He could not be persuaded to talk of his emotions earlier by his older brother, Prince William.
He talks of his emotional state very normally and openly. The big question is: why it took him so long to seek help? Bryony Gordon equally makes a very powerful statement- “It is perfectly normal to be weird. Actually, it may be weirder to feel perfectly normal”.
One in four of us suffer from some sort of emotional problem at some point in life. This tells us that emotional problems are common. So why don’t we talk about it?
Mental health illnesses are a leading cause of disability. If not caught early and treated, leads to problematic interpersonal and family functioning. The life expectancy is also lowered. Aforementioned problems are preventable. However help-seeking, is either delayed or void. To nip-in-the-bud, remains a public challenge till this date.
In a recent study that reviewed most of the stigma related studies in depth. Help-seeking behaviour is found to be influenced by four types of common stigmas; perceived public stigma (perception about a person who has a mental illness endorsed collectively by members of the general population), personal stigma (personal attitude towards a stigmatised group), self-stigma (endorses stereotypes, believes to be devalued member of the society and anticipates social rejection) and attitudes towards help-seeking (self perception about need for help). You can well see how multifaceted stigma is.
The significant finding in the recent review is that the ‘attitude towards a behaviour are associated with engaging in the behaviour itself in other situation’. In other words, people with ‘personal stigma’ tend to avoid contact with stigmatised group and therefore abstain from seeking help. Other stigma that influenced negatively is ‘attitude towards help seeking’. This group believes that the battle could be won on his/her own and also has low perceived need for help. It is indeed not uncommon to find that people would recommend seeking professional help for emotional problems or may report an intention to ask help when affected by mental health problems themselves. Unfortunately when it comes to ‘walk the walk’, a considerable low proportion of people would actually ask help.
Last but not the least, we ought to encourage people to talk about emotional problems, encourage help-seeking, educate on treatment options and long-term adversaries of untreated mental health problems. Prince Harry has made a start, kudos to the young man!
I look forward to 9 more Podcasts in which Bryony Gordon would talk to high profile people, who would talk about their mental health issues.
Dr Das is a Consultant Psychiatrist with experience in assessing and treating the whole range of mental health & psychological issues in older adults. She works within the NHS and Private sector. Dr Das has special interest in treating memory problems (Adults of all ages), Alcohol & Substance Misuse in Older People and Physical & Mental Health issues in Older People with forensic history.
A stressed business woman looks tired she answer telephones in her office
How to Combat Work-Related Stress
According to the Health & Safety Executive 2013/14, in the UK 40% of workforce reported work-related stress. 1 in 5 visits to GPs are related to stress.
What causes this stress, I hear you ask? From research, heavy demand, lack of control over work, low level of support from colleagues and management, bullying and harassment, constant change, are the culprits. You know you are stressed when you start worrying about work at home, dread going to work, lose sleep, and become increasingly short tempered.
Here are some recognised Stress Busters to help you combat the strains of work-related stress:
Recognise signs early
Don’t bring work home
Learn to say no.
Always take breaks.
A few minutes of exercise every day goes a long way.
Speak to your supervisor; employers have a duty of care.
Create a network of support: family, friends & colleagues
Get involved in activities you enjoy outside work, ex: hobbies, voluntary work, learning new skills, something positive to cherish.
Avoid smoking/drinking excessively to cope. Alcohol worsens low mood.
Use time management strategies to work efficiently.
Accept things you cannot change, like a full in-tray, irrespective of how hard you work.
Learn Relaxation Techniques. Meditation & Yoga can help.
Contact your occupational health department, they may be able to access professional counseling for you.
Attack the root cause. Ask questions like: Do I like my job? Could I be better somewhere else?
If all above fails then seek professional mental health advice. Depression and anxiety disorders can come in the guise of stress. These are treatable disorders, requiring assessment, treatment and support.
Dr Singh is the consultant psychiatrist with a special interest in neuropsychiatry. Having seen and treated hundreds of patients with ADHD, in London and Birmingham and with masters in Neuropsychiatry, she is well known as an expert in this field.
Here at The Oaktree Clinic we are never ones to rest on our past achievements. We always strive to be the best and up-to-date mental healthcare team we can be. This attitude to be the best has lead our clinicians to continue their training through the process of CPD.
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. Simply put, it is “the holistic commitment of professionals towards the enhancement of personal skills and proficiency throughout their careersâ€.
Five times a year our various mental health professionals meet up for a sharing of knowledge. Previous presentations have covered various far-reaching disciplines of mental health, from Neuropsychiatry, Child and Adolescent psychiatry to CBT, Mindfulness and much more. Each presentation, devised by our team, expands and updates our clinicians already vast knowledge base.
While it would be easy to assume that with seven plus years training to become a qualified mental health expert would be enough education to last anyone a lifetime, our CPD sessions at Oaktree reinforce our skills, knowledge and make sure that you the client get a better experience.
On Friday 14th October, The Oaktree Clinic hosted a round of Mindfulness to coincide with Mental Health Day. The event was, of course, a great success. Mindfulness therapist Bilquees Kamal led an immensely calming evening of relaxation for those present.
The reviews are outstanding:
“It was my first insight into the concept of Mindfulness and I found it very informative… I found it very interesting on a personal level, too.”
“I know where you are for when I need help! Thanks very much.”
“The mindfulness session was very useful, helped me get a good sense of what is it about and would love to now find out more… [The Oaktree Clinic should] run more sessions like this, to raise awareness.”
“All parts of this evening were enjoyable – could have done it for longer!”
It is safe to say that everyone left truly satisfied and hungry to delve deeper into Mindfulness.
The Oaktree Clinic is celebrating World Mental Health Day by treating all those attending to a 20 minute free session of the famous Mindfulness therapy with tea and Prosecco on Friday the 14th of October.
Our therapist, Bilquees Kamal will lead attendees through the steps to achieving relaxation and learn about how to bring about lasting positive effect on mental health.
In recent years Mindfulness has gained tremendously in popularity for good reason. For those who are less aware of this therapy: Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing awareness of the present moment, with calm acknowledgement and acceptance of feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. This helps a person to deal with difficult thoughts rather than forcing them out or denying them hence reducing mental stress.
Our mind and body can be trained to work in tandem and harmoniously. Making mindfulness a part of our life needs training and will not happen overnight. Like any other skill, mindfulness is one that requires motivation and practice but once the skill is mastered those who practice it do not ever want to stop practicing it regularly. The more you work at it, the easier it will be to use this technique when negative mind state is encountered.
Amongst other benefits, mindfulness will help you to:
Stay focused on the present task, and help you manage distraction
Find a sense of calm amidst a stressful life
Greater awareness of internal resources (e.g. self-control, tenacity, etc.)
Cultivate resilience to resist low mood and poor self esteem
Improve listening and communication skills
If it feels like this can help you with your life, then feel free to join us on Friday 14th October. We will see you here at the clinic.
Click here to get in-touch and book your place.
In conjunction with World Mental Health Day on October 10th, our world-renowned psychiatrist Prof Swaran Singh appeared on American News TV to speak about Mental Health issues and the stigma attached to it.
You can view the video clip below:
In this 3 minute clip from CCTV, America starts with the newsreader stating that “the global cost of mental health is 2.5 trillion dollars.
One statistic that the Professor reveals is that “1 in 4 people will suffer from one of these disorders at some point in their life”, he underlines the importance of early treatment of mental illness and the reasons why people may not seek help and suffer the illness as well as the consequences without treatment.
He goes on to say that one of the many problems facing those suffering with mental illness is the external and internal stigma of admitting that one has a problem. The other is the belief that mental illness is “progressive and incurable”, something that Prof Singh dismisses saying “we have very effective treatments for all mental disorders, ranging from talk therapies, …counselling and psychotherapy, to medication”. He attributes this is to commonly held myths and misinformation people may have acquired from unreliable sources.
If you do suffer from mental health issues do not suffer in silence. Contact the appropriate services that may be able to assist.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
The Oaktree Clinic are proud to announce that we are planning an Open Day.
So on Thursday 25th May at 4:30pm The Oaktree Clinic is opening our doors to the public so we can help de-stigmatise the image of mental health in the community.
There will be drinks, refreshments and a whole load of knowledge that our mental health professionals will impart to those that attend.
The open day will feature the following sessions:
Here at The Oaktree Clinic we are never ones to rest on our past achievements. We always strive to be the best and up-to-date mental healthcare team we can be. This attitude to be the best has lead our clinicians to continue their training through the process of CPD.
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. Simply put, it is “the holistic commitment of professionals towards the enhancement of personal skills and proficiency throughout their careersâ€.
Five times a year our various mental health professionals meet up for a sharing of knowledge. Previous presentations have covered various far-reaching disciplines of mental health, from Neuropsychiatry, Child and Adolescent psychiatry to CBT, Mindfulness and much more. Each presentation, devised by our team, expands and updates our clinicians already vast knowledge base.
While it would be easy to assume that with seven plus years training to become a qualified mental health expert would be enough education to last anyone a lifetime, our CPD sessions at Oaktree reinforce our skills, knowledge and make sure that you the client get a better experience. 
The Oaktree Clinic is celebrating World Mental Health Day by treating all those attending to a 20 minute free session of the famous Mindfulness therapy with tea and Prosecco on Friday the 14th of October.
