WE HAVE MOVED!

With immediate effect our new address is 173 Kingston Road, Ewell Surrey KT19 0AA next to the orthodontist and a few doors away from our previous address.  This new accommodation provides more space and an improved environment in which to see clients  . . . . .

                                     WHY NOT JOIN US AT OUR 'OPEN HOUSE'

                                        on SATURDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2010 

                                                 10.00a.m. to 12.00noon 

        On offer   - Free stress tests and screening consultations

                         - Taster hand or neck massage

                         - Free demonstration assertiveness kits, and

                         - A Prize Draw

 We look forward to welcoming many of the people we have worked with over the years including clients, business contacts, supporters and well wishers!

                                              Hope to see YOU there!

      We are currently offering 

                          MINDFULNESS - A form of meditation

            'Step out of automatic pilot and learn to be in the moment'

      Mindfulness is a form of meditation shown to be beneficial in

      reducing stress and increasing enjoyment and appreciation of life

We are running eight week courses - afternoon and evening sessions available.  Contact debbiebrewin@bodyandsoulsurrey.co.uk or call voicemail 08709 196601 for more information

               DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 10 - 17 OCTOBER 2010

                Main venue St Barnabus's Church, Temple Road, Epsom, Surrey 

This annual event brings together many individuals and groups involved with mental health treatment and care.  Body & Soul will be there too. A varied, interesting programme of speakers and events is being arranged and further details will be published as they become available.      

GENERAL ARTICLES, INFORMATION and CONTACTS

'DEPRESSION IS AS DEADLY AS SMOKING' 

A study by researchers at the University of Bergen, Norway and the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP)at King's has found that depression is as much of a risk factor for mortality as smoking.

Utilising a unique link between a survey of over 60,000 people and a comprehensive mortality database, the researchers found that over the four years following the survey, the mortality risk was increased to a similar extent in people who were smokers.

Dr Robert Stewart, who led the research team at the IoP, explains the possible reasons that may underlie these surprising finds: 'Unlike smoking, we don't know how causal the association with depression is but it does suggest that more attention should be paid to this link because the association persisted after adjusting for many other factors.'  

The study also shows that patients with depression face an overall increased risk of mortality, while a combination of depression and anxiety in patients lowers mortality compared with depression alone.  Dr Stewart explains:  "One of the main messages from this research is that "a little anxiety may be good for you".

It appears that we're talking about two risk groups here.  People with very high levels of anxiety symptoms may be naturally more vulnerable due to stress, for example through the effects stress has on cardiovascular outcomes. On the other hand, people who score very low on anxiety measure, i.e., those who deny any symptoms at all, may be people who also tend not to seek help for physical conditions, or they may be people who tend to take risks.  This would explain the higher mortality."

DEPRESSION AS A RISK FACTOR

In terms of the relationship between mortality and anxiety with depression as a risk factor, the research suggests that help-seeking behaviour may explain the pattern of outcomes.  People with depression may not seek help or may fail to receive help when they do seek it, whereas the opposite may be true for people with anxiety.

Dr Stewart comments: 'It would certainly not surprise me at all to find that doctors are less likely to investigate physical symptoms in people with depression because they think that depression is the explanation, but may be more likely to investigate if someone is anxious because they think it will reassure them.  These are conjectures but they would fit with the data.'

The researchers point out that the results should be considered in conjunction with other evidence suggesting a variety of adverse physical health outcomes and poor health associated with mental disorders such as depression and psychotic disorders.

In light of the findings, Dr Stewart makes suggestions on the focus of future developments in the treatment of depression and anxiety:  "The physical health of people with current or previous mental disorder needs a lot more attention that it gets at the moment.

This applies to primary care, secondary mental health care and general hospital care in the sense that there should be more active screening for physical disorders and risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, adverse diet, smoking, lack of exercise, in people with mental disorders.  This should be done in addition to more active treatment of disorders when present, and more effective general health promotion."

SUPPORT INTO EMPLOYMENT  : Trust * Teamwork * Tolerance * Tenacity

A paper given by Body & Soul Director, Debbie Brewin

Debbie Brewin recently participated in a symposium held in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her paper Support into Employment combined with a number of related workshops, referred to research undertaken to identify the positive effects of work in relation to those who had experienced mental health problems. 

Reference to related UK initiatives together with the desirability of early intervention in primary care, the benefits of supported employment, evidence for what works best, individual placement and support combined with a European perspective provided current thinking and best practice.  Evidence of the role of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in relation to work related problems and individual responses were described and a model for social enterprise outlined. This highlighted Work Stress Solutions, a not for profit community organisation which had developed committees comprising service users and volunteers, initiated projects run by participants, initiated income generation and demonstrated individual progression from trainee to mentor to open employment.  All aspects of this initiative were outlined, emphasising what has been and continues to be achieved.  For more information contact Body & Soul Surrey 08709 196601.      

BODY & SOUL SURREY - TREATMENT AND COURSES

BODY & SOUL runs a rolling programme of PARENTING CLASSES, a popular series of courses covering a wide range of parenting  issues.  For the latest information about dates and costs please contact 08709 196601

BUILDING CONFIDENCE & ASSERTIVENESS a course which aims to improve assertiveness and self confidence at work, home and social situations and to enhance an individual's ability to make decisions and take control of their life. This is an ongoing six week course accredited by Open College Network. For more information e-mail enquiries@workstresssolutions.co.uk

INTRODUCTION TO CARE SKILLS  & THE ROLE OF THE CARE WORKER a course which aims to provide a basic introduction to the role of the care worker and assistance in obtaining a care role in the area of choice.  This is an ongoing six week course accredited by Open College Network.    For more information e-mail enquiries@workstresssolutions.co.uk

EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISATION & REPROCESSING (EMDR)

EMDR is an evidence based treatment method used by mental health professionals for the treatment of various conditions including trauma, the impact of natural disasters and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).   It has been shown to accelerate the conventional treatment of presenting issues related to distressful past events and present life conditions and is an interactional, standardised approach that integrates into and augments treatment plans.

This therapy is available via practitioners of Body & Soul Surrey

MINDFULNESS - see above

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)  for more information log on to: www.nhsdirect.com.

DID YOU KNOW THAT one in four of us will have some sort of mental health problem in our life? 

This means there are millions of people in Britain who are either encountering problems themselves or know someone who is experiencing them.  There are many areas of day-to-day life that cause anxiety and stress which inevitably impacts on our general well being especially just now when we all have to cope with rising  food prices, energy price increases, the effects of the credit crunch, etc. The list seems endless but don't let it get you down. Treat yourself to an Indian head message or try some radical relaxation. For more details contact 08709 196601 or refer to the Body & Soul Surrey website www.bodyandsoulsurrey.co.uk and check out the practitioners pages.  

We aim to provide treatments which are evidence based. We would be happy to provide relevant references for research papers and clinical trials. The following websites and links will also enable you to search for information about our treatments:

www.nhsdirect.com

www.library.nhs.uk

www.besttreatments.co.uk

www.rcpsych.ac.uk

www.babcp.com

www.mind.org.uk

www.walkingforwellbeing.org.uk/