Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health awareness week

Mental Health Awareness Week 2017 is taking place from 8 – 14 May and aims to highlight why good mental health is only being experienced by a minority of the UK’s population.

In a March 2017 study on Mental Health entitled Surviving or Thriving, the Mental Health Foundation found only 13% of respondents reported living with high levels of good mental health. Their study aimed to shed light on the lack of good mental health in society and reduce the stigma of the widespread problem that affects nearly two-thirds of people in the UK over their lifetime.

Other key statistics included:

More than 4/10 say they have experienced depression
10% of children and young people have a mental health problem
People aged 55 and over experience better mental health than average
More than 1 in 4 reported having experienced panic attacks

You can read the Mental Health Foundations report here

Tribute to Professor George Lewith

The FHT is deeply saddened to learn that Professor George Lewith has recently passed away. A widely respected figure in the fields of complementary medicine, research and integrated healthcare, he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Prof George Lewith1

Below is a tribute from Professor Nicola Robinson and the Trustees of the Research Council for Complementary Medicine (RCCM).

‘Professor George Lewith was a qualified physician and Professor of Health Research. George was the first doctor in England to receive specialist training in Complementary Medicine. He later set up and founded the Complementary and Integrated Medicine Research Unit at the University of Southampton leading a CAM research group of international excellence.

‘The untimely death of George has been a great shock to all that knew him. It would not be wrong to say that everyone in the field of Complementary medicine knew him, not only for his wise council and facilitative nature but also as a friend and colleague who always gave his timely freely.

‘George was involved in so many areas and was one of the founder members and Trustee of the Research Council for Complementary Medicine in 1983. He was passionate about the importance of building the scientific evidence base for complementary medicine and its dissemination. He believed that understanding research is necessary for preparing all healthcare practitioners – both in terms of being able to interpret but also that they should be critically aware of its significance and the implications for practice. He strived to engage practitioners in research and was particularly driven in engaging and supporting young people wishing to develop their research careers.

‘In 2003, in Southampton, he conceived and initiated the first annual conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Strategies, Training, Research and New Developments (CAMSTRAND) specifically to showcase postgraduate and practitioner research. Since then this annual conference has provided an arena for participants to present and discuss their research in a supportive but critical peer and academic environment. This year (June 6-7) Southampton is to be the host again for CAMSTRAND – http://www.rccm.org.uk/node/291. Sadly George will not be with us but would want us to go forward and build on his heritage and we should make the event a special celebration of his life and career.’

Professor Nicola Robinson and the Trustees of the RCCM

To read an interview with Professor Lewith, click here

MND Association needs complementary therapists

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is on the look-out for trained therapists to volunteer at high profile events this year.

runners marathon

Every year, high numbers of the public raise money in support of those with MND, including at the London Marathon in April and Prudential Ride London in July.

The MND Association is in need of volunteer therapists to help their fundraisers with massages and treatments following their activities.

Therapists must:

Be a full FHT Member or Fellow
Hold valid insurance
Be qualified to Level 3 in any massage modality
Provide their own equipment

In return, the MND are willing to pay £50 expenses and supply you with a branded T-shirt to wear on the day.

If you would like to give your time and help out those raising money for a great cause, please contact Stephanie stephanie.steward@mndassociation.org

If you get involved please let us know – it would be great to feature you in International Therapist! Email Dan, our Deputy Editor, at dralls@fht.org.uk

My therapist helps me… to manage my injuries

It’s our mission to make the public more aware of our members and the FHT’s Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a body accountable to Parliament.

As such we launched the ‘My therapist helps me…” Campaign in August of last year, showcasing FHT Fellow Alison, and her longtime client Helen, whom she helps to cope with her back pain. You can read Helen’s story here.

We know that complementary therapies can provide much-needed support to all different people affected by long-term health conditions, every step of their journey. Our new advert introduces Nicholas Flanagan and his client Kevin.

2016 FHT Sports Therapist of the Year Nick, has been helping his client Kevin manage injuries he’s sustained over years of sports activities. We travelled over to the Emerald Isle to understand Kevin’s journey and how he benefits from sports therapy. You will be able to read Kevin’s story in the coming weeks.

The advert will appear in publications read by a highly engaged and health-conscious audience, including Men’s Fitness and Healthy for Men, also Facebook and Google, along with supporting case studies in the press.

This campaign not only highlights the great work FHT Members do, but also raises the importance for the public to choose a therapist, like you, who meets the highest standards in both training and practice. We’ll also be posting updates on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – please share/re-tweet to help spread the word!

See the full advert here

FHT Member & Accredited Training Provider Ziggie Bergman hits front page news!

FHT Accredited Training Provider Ziggie Bergman, and her holistic therapy practice, has recently been featured in popular publications such as Tatler, The Daily Mail and The Sunday Times.

Ziggie has been showcasing her talents in facial reflexology and spreading the word about her FHT accredited Zone Face Lift course. Focusing on her “Botox Detox” she talks about how her clients have come to her to receive “natural methods” that will go on to “soften and sculpt their features.”

Maya Rasamny, 48, who has received Ziggie’s therapy first-hand, has said, ‘The contours of my face have changed for the better. Some people think I’m crazy, others tell me I look amazing. This is the way forward, the future, it’s more holistic.’

Ziggie has previously worked with celebrity clients such as Kate Moss, Keira Knightly and Elle Macpherson, who have all benefited from her unique therapy.

To find out more information, please go to Ziggie’s website zonefacelift.com

FHT 2017 Training Congress launched!

We’re thrilled to reveal that this year’s 2017 FHT Training Congress will be held at the Holistic Health show, 21 – 22 May, at the NEC Birmingham.

Featuring 32 educational sessions of CPD training over the two day event, the Training Congress is a fantastic opportunity to network, learn the latest therapy trends, grow your business with informative business talks and contribute towards your annual CPD quota.

We’ve organised a variety of different speakers to attend, giving sessions on a range of therapy subjects, with both hands on and theory sessions available, this year’s Training Congress is not to be missed!

Make sure you follow the latest updates here.