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Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Can We Talk?: Families open up about managing mental health
Don't miss out on the headlines from Family Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's a rare sight in modern families. Three generations of Emma Styles' family live under one roof and gather for dinner – device-free – most nights of the week. The mother-of-two says open communication across the generations is a priority in their home, and they use meal times as an important way to check in. Mrs Styles, 47, her husband Matt and their teenage daughters moved in with her parents in 2023 after her father Martin was diagnosed with dementia. 'It's very important to talk openly about what's going on, otherwise things can get to a point where they can't easily be remedied,' she said. 'We sit down for dinner and use the rose, bud, thorn exercise, where we all share what was good about our day, what didn't go our way, and what we are looking forward to tomorrow.' She said she has always been able to confide in her mum, Barbara Deacy, 72, and her dad, who recently passed away. And she has always encouraged her daughters, Suraya, 15, and Kenya, 18, to open up to her too. Emma Styles with her daughters Suraya (15) and Kenya (17). Picture: Tim Joy 'Mum's health isn't the best now, but she's always been there for me when I've had mental health issues or relationship breakdowns,' she said. 'And she comes to me now with anything that's going on, big or small. 'My parents have always been a big support. I always want Suraya and Kenya to know they can come to me with anything awful that happens, and keep those communication lines open.' But she sets boundaries around what she shares about her life with her daughters, and avoids talking about finances or her own mental health as she doesn't want to be a 'burden'. Kenya, 18, said she felt comfortable talking to her parents about personal issues, from relationships to bullying and peer pressure. 'Mum will always listen and console me if I need it, and acknowledge that I have a problem,' she said. 'Depending on the situation, she will validate my feelings or tell me how to move on and what to do next.' She said the stress of Year 12, including schoolwork, bullying issues and a break-up, would have been even harder without her parents' support. 'My grades would have plummeted, and I probably would have ended up almost dropping out of school,' she said. Her sister Suraya, 15, turned to her mum and online therapists when struggling with issues including fitting in with peers and social media dynamics. 'WhatsApp and friend groups and chats can cause some stress, and I'll go to mum because she gets it,' she said. But both teens said it was harder to be open with their grandma, even before her health began deteriorating. 'I can't imagine talking to my grandma about serious stuff like my friends or ex-boyfriend… I don't think she'd understand what I'm going through,' said Kenya. 'I think it's a generational barrier. She's had different life experiences to me, and communication is different because she grew up without social media.' She said it would be helpful if older generations listened more to young people and showed 'a willingness to be in a vulnerable state with you'. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, helping Australian families better tackle mental wellbeing. To follow the series and access all stories, tips and advice, visit our new Health section. Originally published as Can We Talk?: Families open up about managing mental health
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
‘I convinced my family to go on an intense diet. We lost 10st between us'
Christine Shead, 60, her husband John, 65, and their daughter Emily, 25, live in Fleet, Hampshire. Christine and John are retired, whilst Emily works in law. Christine's story 13st 8lbs to 10st (3st 8lbs weight loss) We knew something needed to change. I was 57 – the same age my father was when he had colitis which led to deadly bowel cancer – and over 13.5st. John, my husband, was over 16st and my daughter, Emily, was almost 13st with severe endometriosis. She was devastated by the diagnosis. At 21, she underwent a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) and was told by doctors that she had just two options to live pain-free: a lifetime of opioids, or sacrificing her career as a lawyer to work part-time. It was terrible seeing her suffer, and I realised our family's health was in jeopardy. John had retired early so we could enjoy those extra years together, yet we were all overweight and eating our way to illness. I didn't regularly work out and John was a runner, but this hadn't helped him to lose weight and mainly killed his knees. Emily's diagnosis finally gave me the motivation I needed to do something about it. We were a family of carbohydrate lovers. Spaghetti bolognese and chilli con carne were our staple meals. Before John retired, he was often away on business trips and ate almost exclusively at airport lounges and corporate lunches, filling his boots with English breakfast foods and French delicacies like cheese and pastries. In the evening, we'd sit in front of the TV mindlessly eating crisps and chocolate. I never prepared meals in advance, so if the fridge was bare, we'd always opt for a takeaway. Breakfast didn't used to exist for me – I'd always have a couple of sugary lattes and a packet of crisps in the morning, before eating a ham or cheese sandwich for lunch. Everything changed when I discovered the Human Being Diet (HBD). I'd be lying if I said it was easy from the start, however the results are absolutely worth the effort. It's a lifestyle overhaul. During a three-month period we completely re-educated ourselves on nutrition, swapping our spaghetti bolognaise, sugary lattes, and white bread sandwiches for spiralised courgettes and cauliflower rice. John and I began the diet in the summer, three years ago. His son was getting married that Christmas, so my goal was to shed 2st, and John, 2.5st, by then. Emily was initially sceptical, and I didn't want to force her into anything, but once she saw the weight dropping off John and I, she began the diet. I'd read about other women with endometriosis going on the HBD and how it had dramatically improved their symptoms. So I hoped this would be the case for Emily. In the first 16 days, I dropped over a stone and John lost almost 20 pounds. Once I put my mind to something, I'm incredibly dedicated and, although John initially found it harder, he completely committed too, and we helped each other through the difficult moments. The first two weeks are so crucial as you cleanse your body in preparation for the diet. For the first two days, we took Epsom salts and only ate vegetables. Then, for the next two weeks, we reintroduced fresh protein sources, and an apple a day, whilst oils, gluten, grains, and sugars were all off the menu. The aim is to retrain the liver to burn fat instead of sugar, whilst discovering which foods don't agree with you. Each day, we ate three meals with a five-hour fast between each. We tended to eat vegetable omelettes or fritters with carrot and courgette for breakfast, and salads for lunch and dinner, with fresh protein like chicken or fish. With so much off the menu, we became more creative with our food and experimented with different vegetables, proteins, herbs, and spices. Next came 'the burn phase', which lasted for 10 weeks. During this time, we were retraining our bodies, and the biggest difference was the introduction of a weekly treat meal, plus black tea or coffee which had to be be drunk with food. The treat meal was incredibly motivating – it was something to look forward to after a week of no-nonsense dieting. We tended to have ours on a Saturday and would make the most of going out to a nice place, having a glass of wine, enjoying the food and spending time together. Within three months, John and I had already exceeded our goal weights. I had dropped 50 pounds and John had dropped 55. Our neighbour was so impressed when she saw us that month, and demanded to know how we had done it. Now her, her husband, and his family are all doing the diet too! During the menopause, I'd lost all my confidence and felt fat and frumpy. Clothes were a means to disguise myself. But at my stepson's wedding that Christmas, I felt better about myself than I had in years. I started to enjoy feeling glamorous, and whilst I used to squeeze into a size 14, now I'm a comfortable size 10. Both John and I have a much healthier blood pressure and resting heart rate, and less aches and pains, too. It's only after you lose weight that you realise how much pressure you had been putting on your body. We haven't needed to go to the GP once since the weight loss, and I honestly don't think I've felt this fit since I left school. After retraining our bodies over the course of the diet, we've found it easy to continue eating healthily and nutritiously. We don't even think about traditional carbohydrates, like pasta or rice any more. Our meals now closely resemble the Mediterranean diet – we eat lots of fresh meats and fish, salads, extra virgin olive oil, and grains. In the early days of the diet, we didn't exercise purely because we weren't eating enough calories to safely do so. But now, John and I both love strength training and I also do Pilates and yoga at my local fitness centre. Before losing the weight, I would've been too embarrassed to even enter a gym, but now I enjoy strengthening my muscles – which is vital as we get older. Emily is now 25 and, as well as losing over two stone, her endometriosis symptoms including irregular periods, recurrent UTIs, and flare-ups, have dramatically improved. In fact, changing the way we eat has been life-changing for us all. In March, we visited my stepson in Australia and convinced him to try the diet too. Now, we all have a WhatsApp group chat where we share recipes and plans. It's brought us all together in an unexpected way. Emily's story 12st 11lbs to 10st 7lbs (2st 4lbs weight loss) Throughout my teenage years, my periods were so painful that I'd spend days bed-bound. My dad was concerned I'd never be able to sustain a full-time job because I was taking one or two sick days each month. At the age of 21, after years of back and forth between doctors and health professionals, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. That year, my parents and I went on holiday to France and, whilst we were all eating and drinking to our heart's content, I distinctly remember how uncomfortable we all felt. Our clothes didn't fit, and I hated how I looked in every photograph. I'd put on a lot of weight and, in doing so, was worsening my endometriosis symptoms. When my mum first told me about the Human Being Diet, I was sceptical. Whilst she likes holistic health remedies, I'm more scientifically-minded. However, when I saw how quickly my parents were both losing weight, I decided it was worth a try. My dad and I initially struggled with the diet. I would say my dad is a sugar addict, so cutting out the sweet treats was hard for him. The meal-prepping and scheduled fasting was challenging for me because I was trying to balance it alongside working full-time at law school, and having some semblance of a social life. My friends were so supportive though, and always made sure to order me a soda in their rounds of pub pints. The diet has been life-changing for us. I never used to have the energy to exercise, but now love going to the gym. My mum used to have bad back problems which have significantly eased, and we've all dropped at least two clothes sizes. I used to get by on packets of tortellini, breaded chicken, and white bread, and now I've ditched the booze, cut out a lot of gluten and dairy, and opt for fresh home-cooked meals instead. John's story 16st 9lbs to 12st 10lbs (3st 9lbs weight loss) I've always loved a pint and had a real sweet tooth. I was used to being around 16.5st and feeling slightly uncomfortable in my clothes. However, I really wanted to support Christine and, with my son's wedding coming up, I was aware that I needed to shed some weight to look and feel good on the day. Once Christine puts her mind to something, she fully commits to it. I'm more prone to drifting off. But I wanted this to work, so we got rid of our bags of rice and spaghetti, and began planning our meals around protein and vegetables. It was difficult, but the effects were unexpected and better than we could've imagined. Now, my weight remains around the 13st mark and, even though I do fall off the wagon now and again, I've got the skills and confidence to get back on track. Gone are the days of cooked English breakfasts at Heathrow Airport, and courses of cheese during business trips in Paris. Our meals are far more regimented, and we plan for the week which has actually made life much easier for Christine and I – whether we're batch-cooking soup or making 'rice' from a cauliflower. Years ago, I used to love running and competed in half-marathons on a regular basis. It didn't do anything for my weight though and, after sustaining an injury during a badminton match, it was difficult for me to continue running, so I gave it up. Now, I enjoy keeping fit using the rowing machines and bikes at the gym. Christine and I love a dog walk and, along with Emily, we're making the most of exploring new places, and enjoying the active retirement we always dreamed of. The family's diet before Breakfast: A bowl of cereal with a couple of sugary lattes Morning snack: A packet of crisps or crackers and cheese Lunch: Homemade sandwich with ham or cheese Dinner: A large portion of rice or pasta with vegetables and processed meat Alcohol: Wine for special occasions/ meals with friends The family's diet now Breakfast: Fruit and yogurt with homemade granola and seeds Dinner: Fresh white fish with an avocado salad Snacks: An apple a day Alcohol: Drunk rarely The family's exercise regime before Christine and Emily did not exercise John was a runner The family's exercise regime after Christine does strength training, Zumba, Pilates, and yoga at the local fitness centre John does strength training, cycling, and rowing at the local fitness centre Emily does strength training at the gym The family's three top tips 1. Always have a goal. It can change over time, but always have one in place 2. Think seriously about why you're embarking on this journey. Write it down at the start to look back on during the difficult moments 3. Be kind to yourself. No journey is ever linear – we can all have a good day, then a shockingly bad day, but the important thing is to never give up
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
NMC Healthcare opens Dubai Marina's first dedicated Paediatric Clinic
The state-of-the-art clinic is currently the first facility dedicated entirely to paediatric care within NMC Healthcare's expansive network In a significant move to enhance family-focused healthcare in Dubai, NMC Healthcare has officially opened the NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic - the city's first fully dedicated paediatric facility, strategically located along Marina Walk. The launch event, held on May 16 was attended by senior officials and representatives from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Emaar, and NMC Healthcare. The ceremony ended in a tour of the facility, showcasing its purpose-built design to meet the unique and diverse medical and emotional needs of children and their families. The state-of-the-art clinic is currently the first facility dedicated entirely to paediatric care within NMC Healthcare's expansive network and is among the first in Dubai exclusively dedicated to paediatric care. It offers a comprehensive range of integrated, multidisciplinary paediatric services under one roof including general paediatrics, endocrinology, allergy and immunology, gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry, physiotherapy, osteopathy and high demand services in speech language therapy. By housing a broad suite of subspecialities in one location, NMC ensures families have access to early diagnosis, intervention and ongoing care tailored to the needs of children of all ages. The NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic stands out for its unique, child-centric design, created specifically with the needs of young patients in mind. Every aspect of the clinic's aesthetics and interiors has been thoughtfully tailored for children, featuring child-sized furniture, playful and engaging décor, and warm, welcoming reception areas. This carefully curated environment aims to create a safe and soothing atmosphere that helps ease anxiety and build trust among children of all ages and their caregivers. 'This new clinic provides a comprehensive range of paediatric services, giving families fast, convenient access to high-quality care for their children,' said David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare. 'We're proud to bring this purpose-built, child-focused facility to life in such a thriving, family-oriented neighbourhood. It's the first of four clinics we plan to open across Dubai and the Northern Emirates this year, reflecting our mission to deliver more personalised care to all communities across the country.' Strategically located in the heart of Marina Walk, the clinic is easily accessible for residents of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), The Meadows, The Springs, Dubai Media City, and neighbouring communities. The NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic is open seven days a week, offering convenient access to quality healthcare for modern families and working parents. This makes it a valuable addition to Dubai's ever-evolving healthcare landscape. NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic marks a significant milestone for the group and serves as a beacon of accessible, specialised care in one of Dubai's most dynamic residential hubs. The opening of the NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic reflects the group's broader commitment to transforming healthcare delivery through patient-first innovation, community integration, and clinical excellence. As one of the region's largest and most trusted private healthcare providers, NMC continues to expand its services with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and wellbeing across every stage of life.
