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The Humber, Coast and Vale (HCV) Specialised Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Provider Collaborative officially launched on 1st October 2021 and Schoen Clinic UK are delighted to be announced as a partner. The Provider Collaborative is a partnership between a range of NHS, Independent Sector and Social Enterprise care providers, with Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust as the Lead Provider for commissioning services. Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust is therefore accountable to NHS England for the overall Provider Collaborative. The Collaborative has responsibility for: Adult Secure - Adult Low and Medium Secure Mental Illness, Personality Disorder, Learning Disability and Autism Services CAMHS - General Adolescent, Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), Specialist Eating Disorder Units, Low Secure, Low Secure Learning Disability and Autism Services, Community Forensic CAMHS Adult Eating Disorders - Inpatient provision The Collaborative, which is clinically led and co-produced, puts patient care at the centre of the work. It is also financially and clinically responsible for the care received by service users, which will span the HCV geography. As a partnership, the HCV Provider Collaborative is seen as the catalyst for change, to further progress transformation across the geographical area, working closely with all health, social care, community, and voluntary sector partners. The Provider Collaborative Core Aims & Principles The Core Principle of the Collaborative is: “Working in partnership with the people who access our services and those who provide care services across HCV. We will deliver best quality, outcome-based care close to home, through the introduction of meaningful efficiencies into integrated care pathways, within a rigorous governance framework and a culture of learning and evaluation.” The 6 Key Aims Are: 1. Service-user safety and quality are everybody’s business within a culture that is safe to enable learning. 2. Accessible person-centred care in co-designed services. 3. We will develop a culture of innovation and accountability. 4. To develop a sustainable model of service delivery. 5. Embed a culture of continuous improvement. 6. To improve Clinical Effectiveness. Director of Mental Health for Schoen Clinic UK, Rachel Matthews says “Schoen Clinic UK are delighted to be working in partnership with the NHS to help transform local services for local people.” “Schoen Clinic York will work with The Humber, Coast and Vale (HCV) Specialised Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Provider Collaborative to provide the delivery of services for Adult Eating disorders. Collaborative working is key for Schoen Clinic UK and Schoen Clinic Newbridge are partners in the West Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative and Associate partners in the East Midlands CAMHS PC – both for young people’s eating disorder services. Schoen Clinic UK are a national service provider and continuously work with collaboratives to offer services, in response to the national demands required.” Follow Schoen Clinic UK LinkedIn For interviews or further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk -- RELEASE ENDS -- About Schoen Clinic UK Established in 1985 by the Schon family, Schoen Clinic is part of Germany’s most prominent family-owned private hospital group. With over 35 years of experience in providing award-winning, innovative, personalised medicine for a range of mental health and orthopaedic and spinal conditions. Schoen Clinic UK is already an established brand across the country and is renowned for delivering world-class Orthopaedic & Spinal treatments and award-winning mental health treatments for anxiety, mood and eating disorders across four notable locations (London Marylebone & Chelsea, Newbridge and York). www.schoen-clinic.co.uk www.schoen-klinik.de About the Humber, Coast and Vale The Humber, Coast and Vale (HCV) region comprises of over 1.7 million people, with North Yorkshire being the largest county in HCV in terms of population size. This is an area of more than 5,000 square miles, taking in cities, market towns and many different rural and coastal communities across the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Northeast Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, and the Vale of York.

When Jazz developed an eating disorder, her parents knew they needed help. After 9 months of therapy which wasn't working, they were referred to Schoen Clinic Newbridge and Jazz was admitted within days. Now fully discharged from treatment, Lisa and John share their story today, expressing how proud they are of her achievements and how grateful they are to have received help from Schoen Clinic Newbridge. We're a very close family, in fact, we have a saying – 'If one of us gets kicked, we all limp'. Perhaps this is why it was so terribly difficult and heartbreaking for us all when we discovered our sixteen-year-old daughter, Jazz, was seriously struggling in life. Despite no obvious changes to her diet or eating patterns, Jazz was suddenly losing a frightening amount of weight. The reason for this, as we came to discover, was that she was excessively exercising at night. We visited our GP a few times and found a Therapist whom Jazz saw for around 9 months. Then one day when we received the crushing news that they couldn't help her anymore; they told us there was nothing else they could do for her and recommended contacting Schoen Clinic Newbridge, who specialise in treating young people with eating disorders. Whilst our initial meeting with the clinic was undoubtedly tough, it gave us a lot of hope. The Hospital Director Natalie, gave us a clear route to helping Jazz and what's more, she had an available bed. Unfortunately, paying for residential care would've been very difficult for us, but Natalie explained we could apply for the place via the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). We had a meeting with CAMHS, which was fantastic and Jazz very quickly had various tests to assess her suitability. She was admitted to Schoen Newbridge Clinic 2 days later. We were very proud of Jazz's willingness to go to the hospital; we do think the illness had taken over her emotions and she was quite numb at this point, but it took a lot of courage to walk through the door. Looking back, I don't think she understood how unwell she was. It was extremely hard for us as her parents, to drive away and leave her there but we put our trust in Natalie and her team to do the best they could for our daughter. As parents, we were offered group sessions with other families of children in the hospital, where we talked about how we cope and what we do to look after ourselves. Some parents struggled with entrusting their children to the clinicians and the processes they have in place. There were usually a lot of questions and sometimes a bit of pushback on certain methods. However, we didn't push back on the process at all. I strongly believe that's what made it a success for us; if Schoen Clinic Newbridge was a restaurant, it'd be a fixed menu not a buffet – you can't pick or choose what you take. We went in with that trust and understood she was absolutely in the right place, so we had to let those who know best get on and treat Jazz. The process is hard for sure, but if it were easy then she would've almost certainly failed. In our view, parents have got to be prepared to hand over their 'broken' child and allow the experts to rebuild and 'fix' them. Other times, we had sessions with Jazz and her therapists. Her Psychotherapist was absolutely amazing and we'd have reviews with them and her Psychiatrist to make sure we always knew what was happening with her care. Rather remarkably, as Jazz was school-aged, she studied for and completed her GCSEs in their specialist school whilst at the hospital and she achieved top grades! We owe a lot to her teachers who kept her focused on her studies, as well as her treatment journey. To say we are proud of Jazz's achievement would be the understatement of the century. It's frustrating that there's no quick fix when it comes to mental health; in fact, Jazz was in the hospital for 7 months, only coming home for a couple of hours on Christmas Day and a family birthday in February. We decided she was okay to come home once she'd completed her GCSEs in July, her weight had improved and her habits had changed. Her improvement was clear to see and we were really comfortable in her coming home. Jazz continued with the CAMHS service for a year once she was home, and was greatly supported by her wonderful friends who had been brilliant throughout her time at Schoen Clinic Newbridge. Jazz has just completed her A Levels and has been inspired to study medicine, with the hope of going into paediatric medicine. Not only has she achieved great things, academically, she is also volunteering as a Covid vaccinator – what an inspiration! The most important thing to us is that we've got our old Jazz back. When she drifted into this disease, she completely lost her silly sense of humour and now she's got it back. For us as parents, it was really important not to hide Jazz's illness. We never made it a secret; we shared it with our bosses, our friends and other family members. Previously, we didn't know how many young people develop eating disorders and need this service, and now we believe that we all need to talk about it more, and make conversation about it as mainstream as a physical injury. We are so grateful to and totally in awe of, everyone who works at Schoen Clinic. They really are outstanding and you can sense at every level how much they care. There are far easier jobs to do in life, but you can see that they have a calling to help those who really need them. And thank goodness, because where would our young people be without these outstanding individuals? - Lisa & John. If you're worried about a young person you know, you can contact Schoen Clinic Newbridge or your GP for advice. Schoen Clinic Newbridge welcomes privately fundedand NHS patients. *Although this story is real, images of actors have been used on this occasion.

At Schoen Clinic, we believe in keeping abreast with recent developments in mental health. Find out more about the latest trends and developments in mental health in the UK. Mental Health in the UK The National Health Service (NHS) received 364,691 new referrals and attended 2.03 million care contacts in April 2021 alone. The NHS Monthly Statistics Performance for April and (provisional) May 2021 also revealed that 1.41 million people contacted mental health services between the beginning of February and the end of April. Figures from the Office for National Statistics echoed the seriousness of pandemic-linked depression as a recent development in mental health in the UK. 21% of adults said they experienced depression between the end of January and the first week of March. The figure was an increase on November 2020’s 19% of adults, and the 10% of adults who experienced depression before the pandemic. ONS also revealed that 43% of women between 16 and 29 years old were more likely to experience depression, compared to 26% of men in the same age group. Positive Government Response The government has been keenly aware of the dire need for greater mental health awareness and support across the UK. In March, the Department of Health and Social Care announced the £500 million Mental Health Recovery Action Plan. The plan aims to expand services for people with difficulties such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia. It places a special emphasis on the groups most impacted, including frontline staff, people with serious mental health illnesses and young people. £38 million was allocated for the expansion of NHS IAPT services (talking therapies) that offer treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions. £58 million was allocated for the improvement of access to therapies, trauma-informed personalised care, self-harm support, and other services. Exciting Research Last year, the Brain & Behaviour Research Foundation, one of the US’s largest mental health research grant funders, listed exciting research achievements from 2019. The foundation said that recent developments in mental health research were significant, as they will impact diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions that affect millions of people globally. Other research, such as Large Genome Study Suggests Anorexia Nervosa is a Metabolic Disorder as Well as a Psychiatric One by Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D., offers greater insights into some mental health difficulties. Technology for Mental Health Among the new technologies that support mental health care are smartphone apps that can help people who struggle with alcoholism and addiction. Apps that can help people cope with the symptoms of depression or anxiety, and provide therapists and other experts with valuable data, are another mobile-related innovation. The increase in internet-based support groups that provide a comfortable digital space for people who want to remain anonymous is yet another example. The recent developments in mental health outlined above are by no means exhaustive - the advances in research, therapies, technologies, and other areas in mental health offer great encouragement and hope for the future. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we are one of the few services in the UK that have started offering genetic testing from a simple cheek swab to help guide medication choice. This assists in predicting which antidepressants people with depression are most likely to respond well to and also which may cause problematic side effects. This allows us to offer a truly bespoke 'personalised medicine' approach to treating depression. We specialise in adult mental health conditions at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, based in a discreet location in the heart of Chelsea, London. Contact us to find out more, call our friendly and caring team on 0203 146 2300 or email che-privateenquiries@schoen-clinic.co.uk Find out more about our mental health treatment programme for adults today. This article was kindly reviewed by Dr James Woolley, Consultant Psychiatrist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea.

Depression can be such an isolating and lonely disorder to experience, but with more than 264 million people affected* worldwide, it's a very common illness. With the right treatment, it is possible to recover from depression and our Specialists are here to help. 18 months after being discharged from treatment at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, Robin looks back on his journey and explains how Dr Woolley, along with the team at Chelsea, helped him to change his outlook for the better. I have a long history of recurrent depressive episodes, and over the last twenty years I have seen a variety of people to try and help me find coping strategies – and perhaps even solutions – for my struggles. Over the years I've seen Psychiatrists, engaged in hours of talking therapy and have even endured electroconvulsive therapy – I found temporary relief but depression always found me again. I have Parkinson's Disease, which has a bearing on my mental health but, nevertheless, I needed to find a lasting way to cope with the severe moods which were impacting every part of my life, from my work to my homelife. When I met Dr Woolley, I was very much in negative mindset where I'd virtually written off any hope for positive progress. I think it's fair to say that by this point I was very cynical when it came to doctors. Due to the number of doctors and therapists I'd seen and variety of methods I'd tried. I'd lost all confidence in new medications, or claims of a cure. However, Dr Woolley didn't give me any outlandish promises, and made it clear that the hard work started now. He suggested that we try treatment sessions at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, where I join group therapy sessions and even yoga classes. Both of these ideas thoroughly pushed me out of my comfort zone – a man of my age practising yoga seemed absurd – but Dr Woolley's caring nature really made me believe he was on my side, and he persuaded me to give both activities a go. I can honestly say that I've had the best treatment of my life at the clinic. Every single person who works at Schoen Clinic Chelsea has such a caring and patient attitude, and contributes to the non-judgemental atmosphere. The environment itself is very peaceful and friendly, and is a stark contrast to some of the other facilities I have visited over the years. The clinic isn't institutional – it's fresh and welcoming, with the staff to match. Before I started at the clinic, during episodes of depression and anxiety, I would become very isolated with feelings of hopelessness and pointlessness. I would drop out of social contact, and marital life became very difficult for both me and my wife. In the past I had mostly not responded to one-on-one psychological therapy, and was despondent about antidepressants, having been on a number over the years. Dr Woolley put together an intensive group program, which was very helpful in reducing isolation, stigma and engendering a greater sense of optimism. The session sizes were small, which suited me very well. They enabled us to bounce ideas off other people, and discover that I’m not alone in my problems. The sessions, combined with more intensive medication approaches, meant we managed to avoid an inpatient admission, which had been a feature of my previous history and I recovered sufficiently to resume my very active lifestyle. It’s almost 18 months since I was discharged from treatment sessions at Schoen Clinic Chelsea and I still see Dr Woolley every six months to keep me ticking over. I don't think it's any exaggeration to say that Dr Woolley saved me at a time in my life where I was both desperate for, and despondent about, help. I now regularly see my grandchildren, and my wife and I are greatly looking forward to a trip to America to see my son get married. Throughout this difficult journey with depression, my wife has been my rock and greatest comfort. The care I received at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, complemented by my wife’s support, has meant that I truly feel the happiest and most stable I have for many years, and I’ve got Dr Woolley and his team to thank. - Robin. Key facts about depression Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Depression doesn't always have a "good" reason. The chemicals responsible for mood control in the brain may be out of balance, leaving you depressed with seemingly no reason to be. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Depression is more than just ordinary sadness. Anyone of any age can be affected by depression. More women are affected by depression than men. Depression can lead to suicide. There are effective psychological and pharmacological treatments for moderate and severe depression. If you or a loved one are struggling with an anxiety or mood disorder, contact our caring team at Schoen Clinic Chelsea today on 0203 146 2300 or email che-privateenquiries@schoen-clinic.co.uk. *At Robin's request, the images used in his story are of an actor and are for reference purposes only. * GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet. DOI.

The UK and the rest of the world haven’t experienced circumstances such as those caused by the Coronavirus in living memory. When some people think of the impact of the pandemic, they do so in terms of the physical and economic effects, rules and regulations, and the death toll, with less attention paid to mental health and Covid-19. Worry, Anxiety, and Loneliness In June 2020, the Office for National Statistics reported that 69% of adults in the UK said they were somewhat or very worried about the effect of the Coronavirus on their lives. Additionally, 63% of those surveyed said they were worried about the future, 56% said they felt anxious or stressed, and 49% said they felt bored. Since then, the feelings of at least some adults in the UK have changed somewhat. In February 2021, a year after the coronavirus reached the UK, the Mental Health Foundation reported that pandemic-related anxiety had decreased to 42%. Feelings of loneliness, however, had increased from 10% of people surveyed in March 2020 to 26% of respondents in February this year. The number of adults who said they were coping well with mental health and Covid-19 decreased from 73% in April 2020 to 64% in February. The percentage of people who felt hopeless about the pandemic (18%) did not change between March 2020 and February 2021, while the number of adults who said they had experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings rose from 8% in April 2020 to 13% in February this year. Factors Influencing Mental Health Writing for the Health Foundation, Louise Marshall, Jo Bibby, and Isabel Abbs examined several of the drivers in the matter of mental health and Covid-19. The most significant of those that led to deteriorating mental health include: Social isolation – Although the proportion of people in the UK (5%) who reported feeling lonely often or always during the pandemic was similar to pre-pandemic levels. However, people with poor health, those who rent their homes and working-age adults who live alone were among the groups who have been disproportionately affected by social isolation. Financial and job losses – According to the Mental Health Foundation, more than 33% of people in full-time employment were worried about losing their job, while almost 50% said they were concerned about not having enough food. Housing insecurity and quality – The foundation found that people who rent their homes experienced a greater impact on their finances during the pandemic than people who own their homes. The financial impact had the knock-on effect of increasing renters’ worries about housing security. Some factors that determine housing quality, such as access to personal or outdoor space, also impacted mental health. For example, 12% of British households don’t have access to a shared or private garden. "As we emerge from lockdowns, we are supporting many patients struggling with anxiety and mood problems. It can be anything including reintegrating socially or adapting to travel and work environments which have changed substantially during the pandemic. We are also seeing many patients whose access to their usual mental healthcare has been disrupted and who are wanting to regain control and direction in their lives as the country opens up." Dr James Woolley, Consultant Psychiatrist, Schoen Clinic Chelsea. Help is Available In June 2021, the Office for National Statistics reported that more adults in the UK are feeling positive about personal well-being, and that 95% of adults had positive sentiments about the Covid-19 vaccine. Even so, the pandemic continues to rage on – and it continues to affect mental health and well-being. If you, your family, or your friends are struggling with mental health problems, get in touch with our team, call 0203 146 2300 or email che-privateenquiries@schoen-clinic.co.uk. Schoen Clinic Chelsea offers specialised treatment for mental health conditions including one-to-one appointments with clinical experts and specialised day treatment programmes for adults. *This piece was kindly reviewed by Dr James Woolley, Consultant Psychiatrist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea.

As a young teenager, Will struggled with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. After a traumatic experience exacerbated his depression, his problems only got worse, as did his ability to cope. After trying numerous therapies to no avail, his GP recommended seeing Dr James Woolley, at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, and this was the turning point he needed. Will finally felt understood and was able to develop the tools to help him combat his mood disorder. He shares his story today. Not dissimilar to a lot of people, my teenage years were not a period in my life to look back on with particular fondness. As a teenager life was hard, and I found myself seeing a therapist when I was just 14. I was anxious, had little confidence and, at times, even felt suicidal. I was in a highly pressurised academic environment where I thought success would naturally lead to the ultimate prize that all young people strive for: self-esteem. Of course, it didn't. So, here I was in therapy as a young teen. The problem was though, I had figured out how to work the system to minimise or even hide my issues, and therefore didn't receive much help. My life continued like this until I left for university. An abusive relationship, paired with the depression I was already feeling, led me to recreational drugs in order to cope. I was very paranoid throughout this time, and was very close to suicide on numerous occasions. I eventually got help in 2015 where I was put on medication, and I started cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which offered a lot of improvement, but I knew I wasn't addressing root cause. I just wasn't ready to go 'deep' into analysing my issues yet. Meanwhile, I went on a gap year from university and I was feeling well enough to be able to reduce my antidepressant medication.  However, once back at university, I experienced an extremely traumatic event which fractured my mental health once more, and I found myself using the same old destructive coping mechanisms to cope. After I finished university, my psychiatrist reduced my medication suddenly without gradually scaling it down. This led to a series of serious panic attacks, which was hard to cope with as my life was actually going well – I just couldn't cope with the sudden drop in medication. I even developed vertigo. I was in denial and tried to get on with my life, and so it inevitably got worse. I felt I would be letting people down if I didn't go to work, but it got almost impossible to carry on. I took around six months off work where I tried different therapies, including hypnotherapy, but on my return I felt worse than ever. My Psychiatrist suggested adjusting my medication again, but my body reacted badly. I had hit rock bottom. One morning, I'd woken up and felt very strongly that this isn't how my life should be; however, all my years of avoiding 'deep' therapy meant that I had no tools to get better. Then I met Dr Woolley at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. I'd heard about him both from my GP, and through a friend of my father whose life he completely changed. I found Dr Woolley to be very encouraging and incredibly supportive. He took a lot of time to listen to me, and he saw and recognised my issues. For the first time I knew someone really understood my problems. And, because Dr Woolley really understood my issues, he suggested that I start attending group sessions which, speaking as someone who had extreme social anxiety, terrified me. He knew I wanted to be seen for who I was, and that I wanted to interact with people who could relate to my experience. Trusting that group sessions were the best place for me, I started attending the sessions three times a week – first in person, and then online once Covid put an end to in-person meetings. I felt completely safe at all times – albeit necessarily uncomfortable sometimes. At the beginning, I was overcompensating in many ways. I'd had many years of experience in telling therapists what they wanted to hear but, in time, I was able to access deeper emotions and I finally felt safe to go deeper. My walls had finally come down, and I felt a huge sense of relief in that vulnerability. The pivotal moment in therapy came when I told the class about the traumatic event I experienced years before. Their overwhelming support was incredibly moving, and their opinions really shifted my perspective of the event itself. Over time, I felt myself go more and more deeper, and I was able to process my emotions fully. On top of this, the sessions really supported me during the uncertainty of Covid, and I am still in contact with some of my colleagues now. Six months on, we agreed that I was in a place where my sessions could be safely reduced without it having a negative affect on me. I had faith in myself, and my clinicians at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, to know what was best for me. Now, I have two one-on-one therapy sessions a week, which is working for me. And although the last six months have been difficult for me, I'm doing as well as I can with the support systems the clinic gave me. I'm exercising and socialising, and I'm sober and meditating, which allows me to control what I can, and let the external factors go. Perhaps most important in my life right now is the sense of purpose I get from my university work. I'm finishing a Masters degree in Experimental Psychology, which is in no small part thanks to the clinic. My clinicians took the time to sit with me, and really helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Knowing I wasn't totally fulfilled with the American Studies course I was completing, they helped me look for the right course and one of my clinicians, Nadia, even provided a personal statement which really helped my transfer. My next step in a PhD, which seemed inconceivable a couple of years ago. Dr Woolley and his colleagues gave me a map for when I was totally lost in my life, and I genuinely believe I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. - Will. If you or a loved one are struggling with an anxiety or mood disorder, contact our caring team at Schoen Clinic Chelsea today on 0203 146 2300 or email che-privateenquiries@schoen-clinic.co.uk.

Everyone deserves help when they need it. Emily began to notice her eating disorder developing in the lead up to her GCSE exams. It gradually got worse through the exam period and continued into her first year at sixth form college as a way for her to have a sense of control. When she realised how much her eating disorder had been limiting her, she decided to seek help and came to the Specialists at Schoen Clinic Chelsea to help her get into recovery and on track for the future. Emily shares her first-hand experience here. Hi everyone, I was a little unsure of how to start this letter. I spent rather a long time thinking about how to begin, trying to make sure I wouldn’t say the wrong thing. But I came to the conclusion that the best option was simply to be honest. To be honest about why I came to Schoen Clinic Chelsea, to be honest about my experiences here, but also to be completely and utterly honest about how my life has changed in the past 2 years. I joined Schoen Clinic Chelsea as an outpatient a little under two years ago.  When my treatment first began, the only thing I remember is feeling as if I didn’t deserve or need help. I kept telling myself that I was ‘fine’, and that by receiving help I was taking an opportunity away from someone else who truly deserved treatment. It was a toxic mindset, and if any of this sounds familiar, then I just want to emphasise to you, that you do deserve support. Mental illness does not discriminate. You deserve to live a life that doesn’t revolve around food. I never truly recognised how limiting having an eating disorder was, until I finally began to break away from it. I’m not going to go into detail, but I began to struggle with my mental health just before by GCSEs began. Initially, my relationship with food was a way to deal with my anxiety and stress in the run-up to exams. I was a perfectionist, I felt the insatiable need to control every minuscule detail and ultimately, I couldn’t do that with the exams. I couldn’t control what was in the papers, but I could control my food. It carried on throughout the exam season, through the summer and into my next academic year when I began sixth form. Despite being overjoyed with the grades I had achieved in my GCSEs, my relationship with food spiralled until I ended up at the Schoen Clinic. I didn’t want to receive help. Yes, there was that thought that other people were much sicker than me, but I was also terrified of what recovery would mean. I not only didn’t see the issue with how I was living my life, but I was completely desperate for it not to change. No matter how miserable my eating disorder made me, I felt that it had become a part of me – I thought it was my entire personality. It is only now that I realise my eating disorder was not truly who I was. My eating disorder destroyed my self-confidence, it alienated me from my friendships and embedded a deep sense of guilt and shame within me. I was so desperate to keep that pretence of me being ‘fine’ at school that the moment I came home, I simply wasn’t a very nice person. Through starving myself I was unable to rationalise, I became aggressive, intolerant and someone who just didn’t want to carry on anymore. Everybody’s experiences leading up to, and during treatment is different. For me, it wasn’t just learning to perceive food in a different way, but I needed to confront my obsessive perfectionism and the overwhelming anxiety I suffered with. Through working with dieticians who helped dispel my incorrect beliefs surrounding food; also an occupational therapist where I learnt techniques using RODBT (Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - it sounds a lot scarier than it really is!), I began to make steady progress. I also joined the ‘Good Enough Group’ at the clinic where I began to confront and challenge the perfectionist control methods that had become embedded into my daily routines. But I was frustrated that I wasn’t recovering as quickly as I had hoped. At that moment, I don’t think I quite realised that recovery wasn’t going to happen overnight. It isn’t a steady or an easy process. I had days, and still do have days, where I struggle. I made a decision on my 17th Birthday that I couldn’t continue with the way I was going. This is by no means the same process as others go through, but I do believe that at some point you have to consciously fight to get better. With the immense support of my family and everyone at Schoen, I began to challenge myself more and more every day. It does take time, you continually have to work at it, and you continually have to put the techniques and advice that you will receive into practice. But I promise you, it is 100% worth it. Before I joined Schoen Clinic, I was ready to not go back to school. I was prepared to throw away everything I had worked for. But I am so happy I didn’t. When you’re in that toxic mindset, recovery or even just enjoying food again seems impossible. It seems like a very long and very dark tunnel from which you never quite reach the end. But I am proof that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been able to slowly but surely break free from the restrictions that food imposed on me and every little battle I fought, even when every now and then I would lose a battle, I knew I was making progress. I knew that each time I challenged myself, I was taking a step closer to finally feeling, and being liberated from the prison that my eating disorder was. In one of my last sessions with my wonderful therapist, we spoke about some of the changes I had made in the last couple of years. Although a lot is different (most of it only possible because of the amazing work of those at Schoen Clinic) the most important change for me was that I had regained my smile. As I write this, I am about to finish my final year at school. I am taking a gap year where I will go explore the world before I come back home to study International Relations at university. All those statements are things that two years ago I was ready to give up on, that I was sure I would no longer be able to achieve. I urge you every day to fight for your recovery.  I know this little overview may just be words on a page. Whatever you’re thinking right now, whatever emotions are dominating you, I want you to know that I was sitting in an incredibly similar position not so long ago. And now, although I still have my bad days, I am happy and content. I never thought I would be able to reclaim my life in the way I have. Just give it your best shot. Do everything you can to beat this. You might feel like you can’t, or maybe you don’t want to start the recovery process. But please try. It is the best decision I have ever made. And one that I choose to make again and again every single day. It really is worth it. Please make the decision to recover. With all the best of luck in the world. Emily If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, contact our caring team at Schoen Clinic Chelsea today on 0203 146 2300. Learn more about our highly specialised treatments for children and young people with eating disorders in London.

Schoen Clinic are using the occasion to celebrate nurses and healthcare assistants across the group – which comprises three mental health facilities; all have had an exceptionally challenging year in the face of Covid-19. “The past 15 months have been extraordinary for most of us, and our personal and professional lives have been affected in nearly every way possible“, says Andy Davey, UK Managing Director. “The difference is, for clinical staff on the front line, there has simply been no option but to adapt and keep going throughout the pandemic. “Across our hospitals and clinics, we have a lot of patients depending on us and absolutely must have access to treatment. Our nurses and healthcare assistants are integral to providing that care and there’s no option to work from home, or to treat patients from a distance. They have been in our hospitals, day after day, completely committed to their patients and colleagues. “The level of dedication before the pandemic was inspiring and now, quite frankly, I am in awe of how much they have adapted in order to keep treating our patients.” Schoen Clinic UK are committed to retaining and developing clinical colleagues, and believe this is key to keeping hold of its excellent nursing staff. Senior Staff Nurse, Jennie, tells us about her role at Schoen Clinic Newbridge in Birmingham which treats young people with eating disorders; “I trained as a Mental Health Nurse later in life as I had personal experience of some amazing nurses, and I wanted to be able to give to others the support, care and dedication my family had so gratefully received from this profession. “I work alongside a team of professionals who are as passionate about supporting young people with eating disorders as I am; everyone gives 110%. Being able to support both the young people in our care and empower their families to continue the journey after their stay at Schoen Clinic Newbridge is a privilege. We leave each day knowing we have made a difference. “On top of this, I feel proud to be part of a profession which has been at the forefront of the challenges of the last year.” Gail, Mental Health Nurse at Schoen Clinic Chelsea and a Nurse of 45 years says "I support the day programme for adolescent eating disorders at Schoen Clinic Chelsea which is a new and exciting challenge. I work with an amazing team of dedicated clinicians and I'm proud to be a nurse." We are always looking for caring and experienced nurses to join our amazing team, our latest nursing career opportunities can be found on our careers page.

Schoen Clinic UK has proudly picked up the award for the 2020 Private Hospital Group 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. The award was given during the virtual ceremony, and celebrates '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 this award at the best of times is an accolade, but to do so in reflection of such a challenging year for the whole healthcare profession, is a staggering achievement”, says Andy Davey, UK Managing Director. “I'm so proud that we've been recognised again for excelling in our field, and for edging ahead of our peers and competitors. For this, we have our colleagues to thank. Their dedication and enthusiasm across the Group – to our patients, to each other, and to our business – 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. Schoen Clinic UK pipped most of the UK’s leading private healthcare providers in the category to the post, which included a mixture of not-for-profit, privately owned and publicly listed organisations. For press enquiries or further information, please contact our Press Office at ukmarketing@schoen-clinic.co.uk

The School Holidays are coming to an end, in what has so far been an exceptionally unusual year. After the disruption of last term and holidays spent with social distancing and travel restrictions, many children may be excited to return to school and days spent with peers. At the same time, there may also be apprehension about what the school day will look like and how it will feel to be socialising in a large group again. The anxiety about returning to school may be high for both parents and children. When anxious, we find tolerating uncertainty difficult, it creates extra stress and adds to the worry. And with much about returning to school this year being uncertain, we can expect increased levels of stress for everyone. We know that some parents are already expressing their concerns and asking for tips on how to manage. There are some great resources available for parents and I have selected the following four because I think people will find them helpful and reassuring as they endeavour to see their children into this new school year. When a child also experiences distress around food and eating there will be very specific challenges and opportunities for the school return. Children who were out of school before the lockdown may feel like now is a good time to rejoin their peers. Everyone will be returning after a period away and this shared experience might make it more comfortable for these children to return. For others, the idea of returning to a full school week and the expectations for social eating may be overwhelming. For all parents, children and young people the 4 resources reviewed on managing in uncertain times may be helpful. Preparing your child for the return to school infographic from Trauma-Informed Schools (TIS) advocates remaining curious, really listening to your child’s experience and supporting them to have conversations about it with you. Supporting children to return to school after lockdown from Nipinthebud.org explains strategies for parents in more detail. I like that it lists modelling calmness to children, even when we might not feel it ourselves. FACE-COVID is an animation from Dr Russ Harris author of ‘The Happiness Trap’ on thriving in these uncertain times.  The approach may help us develop the calm containment children need. Managing Uncertainty in Children and Young People from the British Psychological Society (BPS) is a longer read, perhaps one for a sit down with a cup of tea. However, for those with distress around eating I end with our own ‘5 Tips for Supporting Children with Eating in School’ from the team here at Schoen Clinic Chelsea.  Anyone can contact the Schoen Clinic Chelsea for an initial consultation if looking for further help on how to support your child with an eating disorder or eating distress. 5 Tips for Supporting Children with Eating in School Compassion andFlexibility   -  Every child and every school is different. Children who have difficulties eating at school will vary in the level and shape of the support they need. They may need to eat at different times or leave school for appointments and this will temporarily interrupt the usual school routines.  If schools and families can be flexible and compassionate in accommodating the well-being needs of students to eat well and be healthy, they will be supporting that child to achieve to the best of their ability in the longer term. Making a priority of both physical and emotional well-being and education. Eating Arrangements – Planning is everything!  Where can a child who is struggling to eat, manage best? Who is best placed to be with them? What level of supportive supervision do they need? For one child having the same predictable packed lunch, each day with the company of friends is the best support for them. For another child, they may need to eat with a parent in a private space such as a side room or car. For another, they may need a teacher to help them plate up an appropriate lunch and check that they have been able to eat it. Or perhaps a parent on a video call with them during lunch is enough support. Stress Spikes and Calming Moments  – Can you predict when a child will feel most stressed and what they need to calm and soothe them when this happens? Perhaps a child can manage in the school day but needs an hour alone once home to decompress and rest.  Another child may struggle most after eating and need distractions and activities to regulate this, timetabling their meals so they go straight into a class may help them. For another child, the opposite may be true. Staying on Track – There will always be the expectation and hope that your child will be able to eat with peers with no additional help in the future.  How will you know that the support in place is working?  How will you know if a child needs more or less support or a change in plan? Who will you need to talk to about this? Collaboration and Communication – Communicate and collaborate with your child, the school and anyone else that is there to help in formulating the best plan for your child. Make sure you stay connected with the school and talking with them about your child’s needs. Review plans with anyone involved and change them when needed.