Zaid Kureeman, a young medical student from Barts and the London Hospital returned to the Geezers last Tuesday to thank them for their help on his research project about how older white-British men conceptualise mental well-being and depression. For which he got top marks! Well done.
The study aims to improve understanding of how depression is viewed (in white british older adults) in order to shed light on why people may not come to their GP, so that the GPs can incorporate this understanding in their discussions with the patient.
Zaid gave a talk and then a discussion about how both stereotypical male-roles and stigma, and the conception that depression is a problem that the individual sufferer most overcome themselves, are major barriers to seeking help from a doctor.
He also spoke about the importance of anti-depressant medication, and discussed common misconceptions about taking the treatment.
It says a lot about his skills as a trainee doctor, and the the atmosphere and trust in the group, that people were willing to talk about and share their own experience of mental health issues.
Super work Zaid
What a good lad!