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Schoen Clinic UK, a highly specialised and award-winning private healthcare provider and The Placement Group PLC, a leading healthcare recruitment and staffing solutions provider have entered into a new and forward-thinking strategic partnership that will significantly improve the efficiency of temporary, permanent, and internal staffing provisions across the group. The agreement's emphasis is focused on quality assurance, value and delivering the best outcomes in line with growth and prioritising patient care. Faye Collins, HR Director for Schoen Clinic UK said “Recruitment and retention continue to be a priority in line with our People Plan at Schoen Clinic and we do not underestimate that our colleagues are the reason for our success and exceptional patient care.  As the healthcare market continues to evolve, it is essential to carefully consider how the landscape is changing and as a result, how our approach to attracting and retaining healthcare professionals must also advance.  Doing what we have always done won’t set Schoen Clinic aside from our competitors or provide our patients with the incomparable care we have to offer and that is why partnering with Marc and his team at The Placement Group genuinely provides an exciting, future-focused solution to strategic workforce planning.” Marc Clifford, Commercial Director for The Placement Group said “We have been working collaboratively with Faye and the team since the end of June and have taken a well-paced and methodical approach to consider the solutions, method and implementation that would be both beneficial and successful across their group. It has been necessary to invest time in understanding Schoen Clinic’s needs, and meeting the team and hiring managers that put their heart and soul into delivering outstanding care, all of which have been inclusive and pivotal in forming our new successful partnership. We have cultivated a bespoke solution and system with achievable and measurable milestones that incorporates all specialities and staffing groups within Schoen Clinic and as we launch this new model, it really is an exciting time to be working with such a progressive organisation that truly prioritises their patients and hardworking teams. The Placement Group has been serving the healthcare industry for over 27 years and is able to be realistic and selective in who we partner with; there are clear synergies between both The Placement Group and Schoen Clinic, not only in terms of how we invest in our people but the appetite to grow further and remain stand out providers across the sector.  Our partnership is a clear indicator of our aligned values and I look forward to a long and successful partnership.” For press or media enquiries please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk For our current career opportunities please visit our careers page.

The York hospital, part of the Schoen Clinic UK Group, specialises in treating adults with eating disorders and is delighted with the rating documenting dramatic improvement in all areas. The CQC report details that all patients spoken to during the inspection said staff were kind, considerate, respectful and approachable with wards described as safe, clean, well equipped, well furnished, well maintained and fit for purpose. The report went on to recognise ‘Best practice in treatment and care’ saying “Staff provided a range of treatment and care for patients based on national guidance and best practice. They ensured that patients had good access to physical healthcare and supported them to live healthier lives. They also participated in clinical audit, benchmarking and quality improvement initiatives.” Andy Davey, Schoen Clinic UK Group Managing Director says “Schoen Clinic York has been on an incredible journey of transformation. Following their last CQC inspection, we appointed highly experienced and well-respected Mental Health Hospital Director, Adam Bloor. Adam, along with our fantastic clinical team has led the service into a whole new era of clinical excellence, quality and service improvement. I congratulate every member of the team at Schoen Clinic York for delivering a safe, effective, caring, well led and responsive service to our patients and our commissioners.”

Research shows that September marks the start of SAD season, where 1 in 20 people in the UK suffer from Winter Depression, medically known as SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that comes and goes in a pattern with seasonal change. Throughout the autumn/winter period, sufferers feel a change of mood, decreased energy or motivation, may sleep longer or lose focus. Research has recently found that women are affected more often than men and it usually begins during adulthood, with the risk increasing with age. Over a third of those aged 16 years+ suspect they may have SAD, suffering from low moods in autumn and winter and Londoners are significantly likelier than those anywhere else in the UK to have been diagnosed with SAD (over 11% of people in London). Dr Sarah Perkins, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in anxiety and mood disorders at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, explains: “The symptoms of SAD usually peak in January and February. The main cause noted is the lack of sunlight which could prevent a part of the brain, the hypothalamus,  from functioning properly which consequently affects several issues, such as: The production of melatonin – a hormone that makes you feel sleepy.  Sufferers of SAD may produce higher levels. The production of serotonin – the hormone that affects your mood, appetite, and sleep; reduced serotonin is linked to feelings of depression. The body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) – your body uses sunlight to time various functions such as when you wake up.  Lower light levels can disrupt your body clock leading to SAD symptoms. For some, SAD symptoms can come on during summer months and feel lighter during the wintertime, however, that’s quite rare”. The most common symptoms of SAD include: Persistent low mood Excessive sleep or sleeping longer than normal Decreased ability to focus or concentrate Loss of interest or pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed Irritability and anxiety Feelings of guilt and hopelessness Fatigue, or low energy level Decreased sex drive Increased appetite, especially for sugary foods and carbohydrates Physical issues, such as headaches Dr Perkins continues: “For many people, SAD can cause significant disruption to their work, home-life and relationships. Regular exercise and getting natural light can alleviate or lessen the symptoms. An early morning walk is highly recommended.” If you're suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), our experts at Schoen Clinic Chelsea can help. Call their friendly team on 0203 146 2300 or email them directly.

Jo’s role includes developing relationships with new partners within the mental health, corporate, healthcare and education space and managing and growing existing relationships. Jo says “I am immensely proud to be Partnerships Director at Schoen Clinic. I’ve worked in the healthcare space for almost 10 years and within that time have managed and grown various private clinics and hospitals." "I think the key to any partnership is effective communication and understanding of what the healthcare market needs. We are very fortunate to be able to help children and adults with eating disorders and adults with mental health conditions.” Jo looks after relationships for our 3 mental health hospitals - Schoen Clinic York, Schoen Clinic Chelsea and Schoen Clinic Newbridge and welcomes insurers, referrers and corporate business colleagues to reach out for a conversation about our private services and what we can offer. Please feel free to call/WhatsApp Jo on 07712 243640 or email jmorse@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Recent research by PWC has revealed mental health is a growing issue for employees in the UK with statistics revealing that a third of the UK’s workforce is compromised by issues like depression, anxiety or stress. The survey also found two in five employees said they had taken time off work or reduced their responsibilities due to their health. However, of those who had taken time off work for mental health reasons, 39% said they did not feel comfortable telling their employer about the issue. In addition to this nearly a quarter (23%), said they do not think their organisation takes employee wellbeing seriously. Interestingly, the data on mental health in the workplace is correlating to the increase in patients paying for private healthcare to avoid long NHS waiting times – a figure which has jumped almost 40% since before the pandemic, according to PHIN. Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, Dr James Woolley, explained he first began to see an increase in people coming to him with workplace-related mental health issues on a self-referral basis prior to the pandemic, but now seeing more of a partnership approach between the employer and employee when it comes to mental health. Discussing whether it is ultimately a manager’s role to manage productivity in a company, he said: “Any good manager will see the link between productivity and the mental health of the workforce, keeping an eye on that and putting reasonable accommodations in place.” He goes on to say that mental health in the workplace is measurable and the kinds of issues which have an impact on productivity are things like absenteeism and even presenteeism where people turn up for work despite how they are feeling, resulting in poorer productivity. The rise of home working during the pandemic has also had a sizeable impact on people’s mental health, with RSPH polls (2021) showing 67% feel less connected to their colleagues and 56% find it harder to switch off. However, only about a third of people (34%) feel like they have been offered support with their mental health from their employer. With working from home set to continue for millions, recent data shows that NHS waiting lists across the UK are also listed as the highest ever on record, forcing many employees to take sick leave without access to vital treatment. Reacting to the worrying rise in mental health disorders in the workplace, Schoen Clinic Chelsea offers bespoke workplace wellbeing support services to businesses, to keep employees productive and healthy. Offering leading mental health support, the benefits include reducing stress, anxiety and depression whilst boosting productivity and staff retention rates. Unlike most private healthcare providers, Schoen Clinic’s world-leading experts work together in highly specialised multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients get an advanced level of clinical input throughout their treatment journey. The hospital group say this model is based on clinical research and proven outcome excellence. Whether work is causing the health issue or aggravating it, research shows over half of employees express higher expectations for mental health support from their employer than before the pandemic, highlighting the need for businesses to go beyond the legal ‘Duty of Care’. This is particularly true in a climate where almost 14% of all sickness absence days in the UK are attributed to mental health conditions. “The latest data from the Office for National Statistics forewarns of a mental health crisis likely to reverberate across the UK economy via the workforce,” says Chris Horlick, a senior advisor to Schoen Clinic UK Group and former Distribution Director for AXA Health, being responsible for all their corporate business. He also mentions how businesses must approach employee mental health with the same business metrics as company profits. Chris notes “Businesses must apply the same rigour to mental health investment as they do to any other investment. Investing in the mental health of the workforce will lead to increased productivity and increased profitability.” He spoke about the need to create robust mental health policies which value employees and ultimately strengthen the workforce, saying, “Using a preventative approach to mental health by partnering with a programme where individuals can gain quick access to clinicians, will be much more cost-effective than damage limitation tactics usually applied when a significant number of employees are already reducing working hours or taking further sick days due to anxiety or stress. A situation which could have been easily managed only a few months earlier through proactive mental health care.” The Schoen Clinic Group has an international reputation for clinical excellence and is widely regarded as a global leader in treating anxiety, mood and eating disorders. Dr James Woolley adds, “We understand that everyone who comes through our doors experiences mental health problems differently. That’s why our treatments are tailored to the needs of both our clients and their families and are always based on the latest clinical research.” He continues, “We use a mixture of one-to-one and group therapies via our day treatment programmes, which we’ve found helps to get people experiencing stress and burnout back on their feet faster. “In turn, this can save businesses money in the long run with less sickness absence taken, along with better staff retention rates. We know that the right mental health support and a fast resolution of issues can lead to a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.” Are you a London-based employer keen to discuss co-creating a mental health pathway for your company? Email lpenn@schoen-clinic.co.uk today or call 07498 031036. For more information about Schoen Clinic UK’s workplace wellbeing services, email lpenn@schoen-clinic.co.uk or call 07498 031036.

“The aftermath of the pandemic, cost of living crisis and longest NHS waiting lists in years, have all collided to create societal issues that are seriously impacting on male mental health.” says Dr Sarah Perkins, Clinical Psychologist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. The HSE (Health and safety Executive) reveals that people struggling with anxiety, stress and/or depression took an average of 21.6 days off in 2020. Whilst it is a complex situation and not always clear cut, at times of economic hardship, for example when a cost-of-living crisis leads to money worries during periods of insecure employment, those who struggle with mental health can be vulnerable to varying degrees of psychological triggers. These pressures are having a significant impact on self-esteem and self-perception too and there is a pattern emerging. Studies show that men are generally more reluctant than women to see a doctor. E.g., a *study in the British Medical Journal showed that general primary care consultation rates were 32% lower in men than women. “While it’s clearly a gross generalisation to say women are more willing to talk about emotions and men tend to bottle them up, many studies have looked at how over long periods of time society has encouraged men to be 'strong' and not admit they’re struggling by talking openly to others. There can be a sense that we condition boys from a very young age to not express emotion, because to express emotion is to be 'weak' and that this is not seen as a desirable male characteristic,” says Dr Perkins. Dr Perkins continues: “Men appear to seek help for depression less often – not because they can deal with problems better but possibly because they are less used to knowing and recognising themselves the warning signs, which is why raising awareness is so important. If you don’t even know or recognise you have a condition, you’re less likely to seek help and will have less awareness that effective treatment is available. Generally, at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we see that women with depression often ask for help sooner than men. Often the men we see have a higher risk as things seem that much worse by the time they seek help at a later stage. The burden of social expectations coupled with economic impact, can mean that men are often brought up to measure their self-worth and esteem by comparison to others, with the focus often on financial, career and status success. In economic circumstances which an individual can’t control, this can have a significant impact on self-perception, adding to a sense of helplessness; all of which can lead to increased depression rates,” concludes Dr Sarah Perkins, Clinical Psychologist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. Works cited: (Wang Y, Hunt K, Nazareth I, et al. Do men consult less than women? An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data. BMJ Open 2013;3:e003320. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003320 For more information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Talented 23-year-old Kipp Popert from Sevenoaks, Kent who last year soared to the top of world rankings for golfers with a disability, became the first winner of the G4D British Masters Tour, in May 2022. Kipp, who graduated from Birmingham University in 2020, has his sights firmly set on another world medal and is hopeful for golf to be officially recognised as a Paralympic sport. What makes his list of achievements all the more impressive is that he was born with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that affects muscle control, reflex and coordination in his legs. Kipp is as humble as he is ambitious and keen to say how grateful he is to his sponsors, including Schoen Clinic for the support and encouragement they’ve given him in his career and also to the NHS. Although not a degenerative condition, his childhood diagnosis of cerebral palsy has meant Kipp had over ten surgeries to cut and lengthen the bilateral muscles in his legs and enable him to place his heels down fully; two of these took place before his 8th birthday. He describes how his parents, his mother a GP and father a urological surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’, first realised he was having difficulty walking. “I was born 10 weeks premature and it wasn’t until I was 3 that I began learning to walk. I was on the beach and they noticed only toe prints in the sand – not the whole foot imprint, that was when they realised, I was walking only on my toes and I couldn’t put my heel down fully.” Kipp who has three younger siblings, spent many childhood years learning pain management and wearing leg casts during the night to help with ankle inflection. Most of his surgeries and protracted recuperation took place during the school summer holidays, leaving him out of action for 4-6 months at a time. He endured his two biggest surgeries between the ages of 16 and 18 when he underwent foot reconstruction. Schoen Clinic are proud sponsors of Kipp Schoen Clinic UK’s Managing Director Andy Davey says “Kipp is an inspirational young man and a talented golfer. To win the G4D British Masters is an incredible achievement and we’re behind him all the way in the Porsche European Open. Good luck Kipp!” When asked about his aspirations Kipp says he’s always wanted to be a pro golfer. He describes how as a child, he used to watch golfing videos with his father and how he could hit a golf ball from the moment he could walk. He tried all sports as a child but always came back to golf. He describes his tough mental mindset as genetic, “both my parents worked extremely hard but were never pushy with me. When I didn’t get picked for sports teams at school, I saw that as a challenge.” Kipp’s aspirations increased after the tragic death of his cousin and good friend, rugby league player, Archie Bruce, in 2019, aged just 20. Kipp says: “I decided then that I wanted to achieve something, for him. I’m self-motivated and I aspire one day to represent my country in the Paralympics and turn full-time professional in able-bodied golf, it’s my ambition to bridge the gap between able-bodied and disability sport." The next G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour event will took place from 30th-31st May with G4D @ Porsche European Open at Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg, Germany, with further events taking place in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Spain and Dubai in 2022. Watch the highlights from G4D on YouTube now. Show your support for Kipp by following his journey on Instagram.

Schoen Clinic’s Chelsea outpatient clinic specialising in mental health treatments has been awarded a prestigious 'Good' rating in all areas in its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report. The CQC inspection, which took place in February 2022, scored the mental health daycare and outpatient treatment service 'Good' across all five categories: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led. The independent health regulators praised the clinic, which specialises in both eating disorders and anxiety and mood disorders, for its 'overwhelmingly positive' feedback from patients and their parents, who 'praised the service highly' for its care. The inspection report said: "Every person we spoke to was overwhelmingly positive about the care they had received or were receiving at the service. All the patients, young people and carers/parents praised the staff and told us how they had helped put them at ease and made them feel ‘normal’. One patient said the kindness they received from everyone from the reception staff to the Consultant made them feel accepted for who they are. Multiple patients told us that the service had changed their lives for the better.” The report continues: "Young people’s parents also praised the service highly. Parents said that the service was incredibly supportive and provided a clear programme ahead of them. All the parents we spoke to felt suitably informed and had regular appointments with their child’s key worker. One parent said, 'the service made me feel like my daughter is the only one on the programme.' We received no negative feedback from parents or young people in relation to the service." The CQC are the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England who monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they are meeting fundamental standards of quality and safety. Schoen Clinic Chelsea's exceptional CQC inspection follows on from Schoen Clinic Newbridge winning Hospital of the Year 2021 at the annual LaingBuisson Awards. “To have received such an overwhelmingly positive CQC rating in all areas is testament to the hard work and commitment to patient care from our team. We are pleased that inspectors recognised our work for patients, but also the care we put into supporting parents, carers and family members. We are proud of the quality and specialised care we provide and will continue to work on service innovation within the eating disorder and mental health disorder sector,” says Andy Davey, UK Managing Director. Alex Blatch, Clinic Director at Schoen Clinic Chelsea said: “The latest CQC findings supports the consistent feedback we get from our patients and I'm really pleased that we've been recognised for the incredible impact our service has on our patients lives.” Schoen Clinic UK currently comprises 4 facilities – Schoen Clinic Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital, Schoen Clinic Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Chelsea (treating anxiety, mood and eating disorders), Schoen Clinic Newbridge (treating children and young people with eating disorders) and Schoen Clinic York (treating adults with eating disorders). The Group's ethos is grounded firmly in the belief of finding the very best Consultants and medical colleagues, coupled with renowned facilities, to deliver high-quality, specialised care with a focus on clinical outcome excellence. Read the full report by the CQC today. For specific comment and further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Schoen Clinic Newbridge has proudly picked up the award for the 2021 Hospital of the Year at the annual LaingBuisson Awards. The Group's latest prestigious accolade follows suit with taking the 2019 Hospital Of The Year award for Schoen Clinic's specialised Orthopaedic & Spinal Hospital in London and Private Hospital Group of the year in 2020. The Awards this year have been the biggest ever with finalists carefully chosen from 490 nominations. The award was given during the black-tie event held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London and was attended by hundreds of industry leaders and colleagues. The Hospital of the Year award honours “Excellence in the provision of acute or mental health services with a focus on innovation and differentiation as a result of an individual hospital initiative or investment.” “To win an award 3 years in a row is truly outstanding for our group and Schoen Clinic Newbridge deserve this recognition for the amazing work they do helping children and young people with eating disorders. They are heavily involved in clinical research and consistently strive for the best possible clinical outcome for the patients they care for.” says Andy Davey, UK Managing Director. Natalie Maley, Hospital Director at Schoen Clinic Newbridge said “I'm so proud that we've been recognised for excelling in our field, and for this, we have our colleagues to thank. Their dedication and enthusiasm for our patients, to each other, and to our hospital – is what stands us apart. It is a privilege to work with such an engaged and committed group of colleagues.” Schoen Clinic UK currently comprises 4 facilities – Schoen Clinic Orthopaedic & Spinal Hospital London, Schoen Clinic Day Centre for Mental Health Chelsea (treating anxiety, mood and eating disorders), Schoen Clinic Newbridge (treating children and young people with eating disorders) and Schoen Clinic York (treating adults with eating disorders). The Group's ethos is grounded firmly in the belief of finding the very best Consultants and medical colleagues, coupled with renowned facilities, to deliver high-quality, specialised care with a relentless focus on clinical outcome excellence. For specific comment and further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Schoen Clinic UK teams have had ten pieces of novel research and practice leadership accepted at the London International Eating Disorders Conference for industry peers in December 2021. The 15th London International Eating Disorder Conference will take place in December with several of Schoen Clinic UK’s leading healthcare professionals presenting across multiple disciplines. Schoen Clinic UK have had 10 pieces of research or practice leadership accepted, making them one of the most prominent names at the forthcoming event. Professor of Psychiatry, Hubert Lacey MD MPhil FRCPsych, who founded the internationally renowned Schoen Clinic Newbridge and is a leading expert in the field of eating disorders, spoke of what an “Unprecedented achievement in terms of breadth and quality” for the Schoen Clinic Group, and “Is a reflection of how we value research as integral to our clinical work in our drive to help our patients achieve recovery by offering novel and proven therapies in addition to more standard treatments.” The Conference Taking place on the 8th, 9th and 10th of December 2021 at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London, the event is widely regarded as one of the leading eating disorder conferences in the world and will be attended by a range of healthcare practitioners working within the field, including Psychologists, Psychiatrists, GPs, Paediatricians, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists and Specialist Nurses. It will combine keynote and plenary lectures, workshop sessions, shorter papers and poster presentations – all with the aim to introduce the latest key developments and research findings. This year’s theme ‘Improving Access to Care and Treatment Flexibility in a Challenging World’ will explore the ways Covid-19 has impacted care as well as what should be best practice moving forward. Schoen Clinic UK’s Involvement Schoen Clinic Newbridge will be participating in a workshop to examine a nurse-led clinical model for the inpatient management of severe eating disorders, leading 4 presentations on various aspects of treating patients with Anorexia Nervosa as well as presenting 4 posters, including on EMPSA and Covid-19. Schoen Clinic Chelsea – a day clinic for mental health problems including eating disorders will also be presenting its first poster on Daycare Evaluation. “A Wonderful Achievement” Speaking of Schoen Clinic UK’s involvement in the conference, Professor Hubert Lacey said: “This is the culmination of a huge focus on audit and research during the past 5 years. We are seeing the result of embedding a research culture in our services: recognising the value of research and supporting our staff across all professions to develop their own ideas and conduct audit. “Schoen Clinic Newbridge’s productivity in this programme is a wonderful achievement for all involved, but for Schoen Clinic Chelsea to have its first paper accepted at an international conference for work done in the midst of setting up a new service, as well as a pandemic, is truly impressive.” ++ RELEASE ENDS ++ For specific comment and further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Christmas can be stressful at the best of times – but Christmas dinner can be one of the biggest obstacles families have to navigate, especially if a young person has an eating disorder. The Christmas season focuses on food and family get-togethers, so supporting a family member with an eating disorder presents multiple challenges. Common problems include having to eat in front of lots of people, being watched and commenting on eating behaviours. Gill Williams, Nurse and Parent Practitioner at the *award-winning Schoen Clinic Newbridge, specialist eating disorder hospital for children and young people with eating disorders, has this advice for families at this challenging time of year: “For the person coping with anorexia at Christmas, there is likely to be raised anxiety about the abundance of food as well as more pressure to eat with other people and to eat food they might otherwise avoid. Parents are also likely to be feeling the pressure to create a happy, or even perfect day (social media can be particularly unhelpful in this respect). However, it is much better to talk through and acknowledge worries of eating disorders and Christmas as early as possible.” Top Tips and Advice on Navigating Christmas Dinner with an Eating Disorder: Before the Meal - Advice for Parents and Carers: Talk to the young person beforehand about what they think would make the day a little easier. The contents and serving size of a meal should be decided in advance. Plate up the young person’s and parent’s food ahead, rather than the stress of having to choose food out of a dish or taking food in front of a lot of people. Try to sit the parent next to the young person. Gill goes on to say: “It can be helpful to get together with a child, to think ahead about possible strategies that might help enable them to cope with Christmas pressures. The young person feeling they can manage what’s in front of them depends on point of recovery, but they need to be part of the celebration or what the family do traditionally and what matters to them, preserving the personality of the family. The eating disorder is not welcome. For example, at Newbridge, a couple of weeks before Christmas we do a Christmas rehearsal. So, for the whole day, they’ll eat Christmas food, so they feel ready on Christmas Day and it can be incorporated without being ‘extra’ to the diet plan.” During the Meal - How to Prepare: Play music in the background (because they might be too anxious to converse). Curtail the amount of time you spend on the meal. Don’t make any surprises, (no uncertainty). Initiate topics of conversation as there may be anxiety around managing what’s in front of them and also disrupting the day. Short and sweet with the meal is ideal but do challenge food behaviours as this is best in the long run. Gill says: “Parents have this sense that they’ve done something wrong which is why their child has the eating disorder, and they start beating themselves up. They might compare themselves to other parents and have a loss of confidence in their skills as a carer. After the Meal: It is normal to want to praise a child but refrain as it can make them feel more shame. Try to have an activity planned afterwards such as a game. Gill says: “The importance here is being together as a family, feeling relaxed and feeling confident. This is the time to be together and not time for the eating disorder to hijack the day. As soon as you’ve argued with a young person, the eating disorder has won. By implementing some of tips I’ve talked about, Christmas day can be far more about family, than food.” _________ *Schoen Clinic Newbridge is The Laing Buisson Hospital of the Year 2021 and is nationally and internationally renowned for helping children and young people (8-18 years) with diagnosed eating disorders and their associated problems. Newly renovated, it is now a 34-bed inpatient hospital welcoming NHS, privately insured and self-funded patients. It is the only private hospital of this nature rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission twice consecutively (2016 and 2018). For more information, please visit Schoen Clinic Newbridge website. About Gill Williams Gill Williams is a Nurse and Parent Practitioner at Schoen Clinic Newbridge and has expertise in helping patients make the transition between the hospital and home. For specific comment and further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketingmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

World Mental Health Day on 10th October, shows how 2021 mental health struggles have increased in young people following the pandemic. One of Schoen Clinic UK’s leading Consultant Psychiatrists Dr James Woolley, highlights the signs to look out for, as well as how to address the problem without alienating sufferers further. Following the last year and a half of lockdowns, the UK government has released research suggesting young people’s mental health and wellbeing has been substantially impacted due to and during the pandemic. Data released by the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows that 28% more children and young people (that’s over 80,000) were referred to mental health services between April and December 2020 than in 2019 and that the number of treatment sessions given to them was up by a fifth in 2020, compared to the previous year. Schoen Clinic Chelsea mental health and wellbeing clinic treats children, teens and adults with mental health conditions, including eating disorders. With expertise and training in treating anxiety, depression, psychosis and bipolar disorder (amongst other conditions), Consultant Psychiatrist Dr James Woolley addresses the effects a year and a half of disrupted routines and lockdowns may have had on young people’s mental health, particularly as some settle into a new academic year, whether at school, college or university. In honour of World Mental Health Day, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, Dr Woolley shares his insights on how to spot signs of declining mental health as well as what parents and carers can do to help those in need. 1. What were the main mental strains the pandemic posed on young people? There are a wide range of ways in which the pandemic has had a clear impact on young people, ranging from disrupting social networks and development, family relationships and educational challenges along with threat to long-held goals. For some, this was most apparent earlier on in initial lockdowns, but for many was a much more delayed effect – especially noticeable in early 2021 and continuing throughout this year – and has shown itself in different ways throughout the various stages of lockdown easing and the attempts to resume normal activities. It's important to bear in mind that different individuals are experiencing this at different speeds, so it's difficult to generalise about it because "young people" are all different. Individual responses are much more important and can be quite variable. 2. How might this affect how students feel about going back into education? At the moment, some of the earlier, more depressive, reactions are giving way to anxiety around restarting old activities (especially educational and social). Some are fine and looking forward to it, whereas others are viewing it with apprehension. There is considerable uncertainty even once schooling gets back underway as, although there is not the large-scale disruption apparent before the summer, Covid infection rates remain high and increasing, and many are currently aware of friends or teachers who continue to frequently test positive. This means the risk of reverting to homeschooling is still there, which is perhaps not so apparent in media coverage at the moment. The risk of disrupted education remains significant despite the best efforts of educational institutions at the moment. 3. What signs do you think parents/ carers should look out for if they're worried about a young person’s mental health? Changes in usual personality remains key, they clearly can be difficult to spot, especially if this involves withdrawal from social contact and isolation. Disturbed sleep patterns, changed appetite and especially changes in social relationships maybe early warning signs, though can be concealed until quite advanced. 4. What is the best way for parents/ carers to speak to young people about their mental health? Trying to maintain open communication remains just as important in a pandemic phase as at other times. Speaking in non-stigmatising language, normalising different people’s experiences and how encountering symptoms of depression or anxiety can be quite normal in these sorts of circumstances are all key. Finding opportunities to also describe how people can often go through difficult patches, but recover and regain their momentum, can be very useful in maintaining optimism and encouraging people to ask for help sooner. If there is a feeling that nothing can be done, or little can change, then why even ask for help?! Just having a conversation about how these sorts of experiences can be quite normal is a significant benefit in itself and, in many cases, may be all that is needed to reduce any sense of isolation and stigma and for a young person to feel there is support around if they need it. 5. When should they seek the help of a professional such as yourself? Speaking with friends, lecturers, teachers, parents etc. is usually the most helpful first step. Beyond this, there may be counsellors at school, college or university linked with community groups, and within the health service - the first port of call will be your GP. Many GP surgeries have counsellors linked with them where it is possible to arrange some sessions directly. Many areas also have open-access NHS psychological therapy services (sometimes called IAPT teams), many of which accept self-referrals and can deliver psychological support via phone and video consultations. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we have a range of therapists who can help on an individual basis, and for even more comprehensive and structured treatment there is a varied programme of group therapy for adults and a specialised private CAMHS therapy and support. This is sometimes an even more powerful way to reduce isolation and stigma in mental health difficulties and engage in treatment with the additional support of others going through similar challenges.