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Justice for NHS: Fake Doctor Ordered to Repay £400K or Serve More Time

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Photo Credit: BBC.co.uk Zholia Alemi, a 62-year-old woman who posed as a psychiatrist for over 20 years, has been ordered to repay £406,624 to the NHS or face an additional two-and -a-half years in prison. Alemi was jailed for seven years in February 2023 after being found guilty of multiple fraud offences. She falsely claimed to have a medical degree from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, using forged documents to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) in 1995. Over two decades, Alemi worked across the UK including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; earning an estimated £1.3 million while treating hundreds of patients without proper qualifications. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Alemi showed “little regard for patient welfare” and exploited the healthcare system for personal gain. Her deception was uncovered after a 2018 conviction for attempting to forge the will of an elderly patient. Investigative journalist Phil Coleman later revealed sh...
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Happy Pride Month!

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, and queer people, like everyone else, will face mental health issues and pain throughout their lives.  Shreds of evidence have shown that people from these groups have higher rates of common mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.  Mental health conditions are common among LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria, and they are primarily caused by rejection from friends and family, stigma, community exclusion and isolation. According to the Federal Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014, anyone found guilty of homosexuality risks up to 14 years in jail. The Sharia law, which is practised in 12 northern states of the country, mandates the death punishment by stoning. In addition, the Nigerian government encourages violence against its LGBTQ+ residents through arbitrary arrests and police extortion. Most Nigerians are hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community, close-minded and refuse to embrace diversity. Most Nigerians continue...
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Why are men reluctant to discuss their mental health?

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As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, I will focus on bringing awareness to Men's mental health.  The damaging stigma associated with mental health conditions is a significant contributor to this issue. Every year, one out of every four people suffers from a mental health condition, but mental illness is stigmatised more than physical illness.  Men are disproportionately affected by this stigma, and social norms and conventional gender roles are assumed to play a role. The notion of 'manliness' as being powerful and in command can lead to the perception that asking for support is a sign of weakness. Men will be unable to open up if they are under pressure to appear solid. This has the potential to both trigger and intensifies mental health issues. Mental health problems impact men and women differently. Women, for example, are considered to be more prone to common mental illnesses. This does not, however, suggest that men are immune to mental illness. Men,...
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Let's Talk Self-Harm

Most people immediately think of cutting when they hear the word "self-harm." On the other hand, self-harm is technically defined as any coping strategy that provides temporary relief from difficult emotions. It is often generally done with the purpose of self-punishment, communication of pain, or both. Self-harm is something I like to think of as a pattern that has grown in response to adversity in ones life. We all depend on coping mechanism to help us deal with anxiety, stress, and trauma. Some of us are fortunate enough to access a safe coping method, such as a physical, artistic, relaxing, or community-based activity. In contrast, others come upon something that offers a similar sense of relaxation but has a less positive effect on their wellbeing. Overeating, undereating, excessive consumption of alcohol or other substances, remaining in unhealthy relationships or friendships, or engaging in physical confrontations are examples of self-harm. These aren't necessarily...
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Happy International Women's Day - March 8th

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  Every year on International Women's Day, the emphasis is on achieving gender equality and unity. There are approximately equal amounts of women and men who suffer from mental health illness. Women are most often diagnosed with anxiety, along with other mental conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders. Regardless of gender, the reasons for having a mental health disorder are never straightforward. Certain social variables can be assumed to have an influence. Women in their families are usually the primary carers and caregivers of children or other dependent family members. These tasks can be highly intense and leave little time to take care of themselves. Women are more than reflected in low income and low-quality employment, rendering women more vulnerable to poverty. Women also have several obligations, they are stretched over the family's care, running the household, supporting their spouse and taking on paid work. Statistics show that in more t...
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WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY

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    Photo source: Harvard heath   Stress and anxiety are common, and individuals experience stress and anxiety from time to time. The feeling of being stressed can be trigger by any event that makes us feel nervous or frustrated; Anxiety is the feeling of fear, worry or unease; this can be a stress reaction. Stress and anxiety are not always bad and can be overcome with time. However, when it begins to interfere with your daily life, it may mean a more serious issue, and you may need to seek professional help. Here are some ways that can help you with relieving stress and anxiety. Exercise Exercising is considered as one of the vital things you can do to combat stress and anxiety. Regular exercise releases hormones called endorphins, improve sleep and self-image. Individuals who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety. WHO int. recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (e.g. brisk walking, swimming, dancing or riding a bike) a week or 75 m...
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Are You Getting The Right Amount Of Sleep?

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Photo source: BBC.com Sleep! Getting the right amount of sleep is vital in helping us with maintaining our optimal health and well-being. When it comes to our health, sleep is as crucial as doing regular exercise and eating a balanced diet.   Here are some of the benefits of getting a good night rest.   1. Improves our concentration, cognition and productivity A good night rest can help us keep our energy levels up, help to keep our mind from wandering and maintain our attention throughout the day. Not having enough sleep means both our body and brain do not function correctly the next day.   2. Reduces weight gain risk There have been numerous studies throughout the years that have linked obesity and poor sleep patterns. Some research has suggested that being sleep-deprived changes the level of hormones that signal hunger and fullness in our body. These can make us more likely to choose unhealthy foods such as food containing high levels of sugar and intend t...
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All About Mental Health

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Photo credit:  Wikipedia Welcome to my blog. My name is Mildred and I am a Clinical Psychiatric Nurse Specialist. As a Psychiatric nurse, I have seen the effect of stigma from family, friends and the society on individuals with mental health illness. Sadly, stigma still exists in mental health. The aim of my blog is to  create more awareness around mental health and surely one day we can overcome this stigma attached with mental health. 1 in 4 people in the UK experience some sort of mental health illness each year and worldwide around 792 million people are affected by mental health illness. The society often categorise people with mental health illness as violent and dangerous. Sadly, individuals with severe mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violent crimes rather than the perpetrators. The fact is individuals with mental health illness are dangerous to themselves than to others. Statistics shows 80-90% of individuals who have died by suicide in England are ...
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