The NHS has recently appointed a director for mental health and neurodiversity, proving that wellbeing concerns are finally receiving the acknowledgement they deserve. It signifies a step in the right direction of mental health being a top priority during all phases of life. Mental health has no age Poor mental health can affect anyone, at any age. It changes how we manage, and our relationships with other people. Identifying the signs  We must educate ourselves on spotting the signs of poor wellbeing. These might include: Changes in mood Avoiding social environments or interactions Slee ..read more

In the last few weeks, I have heard and read several references to Autistic people being the ‘canaries in the coal mine’, the analogy being that we are the first to identify danger and threat, succumb to it, and are a warning sign to others before they too experience it. As I so often do, I rolled this thinking around in my brain, reflected and ruminated on it, and questioned whether it had any substance. My instincts were telling me it wasn’t wrong, the very instincts that were being alluded to, but I continued to search for the evidence. We know that Autistic people make up just 1-2% of the ..read more

Millions of UK adults and young people have experienced or are currently experiencing the debilitating effects of a mental health disorder. In virtually every instance, individuals struggling with these conditions can recover and enjoy a substantially better life. Here Lee Hawker-Lecesne MBPsS, Clinical Director at The Cabin, Asia’s premier rehabilitation center with over 50 years of clinical expertise, looks at how important awareness of the high incidence of mental health problems is and that people know the truth about how effective mental health services can be when a person is truly commi ..read more

I recall the recession of 2008-9 and my attempts to convince senior management teams that mental health training should be a priority along with efforts to influence General Practitioners and other health care practitioners to discuss return to work with their patients as part of mental health recovery and because work is extremely protective for our health. This was a time when businesses were facing financial hardship, and their worries centred around preserving funds to pay the next wage bill. It was also a time when the training I was promoting often came with 50%-100% subsidy. Those days ..read more

One thing is true of us all. We only know our own experiences of the world and the intricacy of what is going on in our own minds. We may interpret and filter what others share with us about their minds and their inner world, perhaps through the ways they behave for example, or in what they choose to share with us (and only as effectively as it’s communicated and received according to the effective method of communication for each), but that’s as close as we will get. This being the case, it leaves a lot of room for unknowns, and a great deal of scope for error. Therefore, a common mistake man ..read more

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Our ‘difference’ IS our Strength! Does your workplace know how to support its neurodivergent employees? Is your workplace neuroinclusive? Just as nature needs biodiversity, the world and workplaces need neurodiversity – the range and richness of all neurotypes (brain types) coming together for the greatest benefit. In the workplace neurodiversity allows for innovation, increased creativity, new and different approaches to problem solving, and the maximum potential that comes with having a neurodiverse workforce. The challenge? The difference is not equal, much ..read more

Like Jane McNeice, I too discovered myself as Autistic in 2021. I did what Autistic people do; became obsessed with the stories of my late identified neurokin, especially the women, and the academic research behind our differences. Jane’s was a story I identified with closely, helped me feel less alone and strengthened my resolve to do my little bit to help find other ‘lost girls’ too. Jane’s new book extends beyond the journey toward identification as autistic; giving us a guided tour of her autistic mind and demonstrates its potential; it’s challenges in dealing with a world that doesn’t thi ..read more

About 15 million Americans have a social anxiety disorder. If you’re one of them, your treatment options include therapy, medications, mindfulness training, exercise, and more. Getting treatment is critical, as social anxiety disorder won’t go away by itself. The help you get now could allow you to interact with others without crippling anxiety. And some of these therapies could improve your physical health too. What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? Few people enjoy climbing up on a stage and speaking in front of a crowd. Most of us feel at least a little anxious when walking into a room for a ..read more

The Hidden Repercussions Mental trauma after an accident can severely limit your ability to resume regular activities. It is normal to experience distress after a car accident, but treatment may be necessary if it is prolonged and interferes with daily functioning. The right support makes recovery from emotional trauma after a car accident attainable. During a car accident, a series of events can unfold that can cause lasting emotional trauma, including life-altering injuries, the threat of death, and the death of someone else. Emotional trauma is a natural response to such a dramatic chain ..read more

One year before my Autism diagnosis (and prior self-identification), I thought I had OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder), so I went to see a private psychiatrist. Because of the high levels of stigma surrounding Personality Disorders, most people do not seek them out. They are given. The fact that I was doing so illustrated just how much I needed my truth, whatever that truth turned out to be. I was clinically assessed over a number of weeks. The conclusion… a reaffirmation of a previous Generalised Anxiety Disorder diagnosis given by my GP, and an additional diagnosis of Social A ..read more