Lifestyle
MUM KNOW’S BEST:
O
VERA ORA
ne of London’s leading psychiatrists,
fashion fanatic and mother to an
international popstar, Vera Ora takes
time out of her busy life to talk to Michael
Keohane about mental health and family
values in this issue’s ‘Mum Knows Best.’
Surrounded by an array of pink roses
decoratively placed across the Instagram famous
walls of ÈLAN Café, Knightsbridge, Vera Ora
looks a vision as she sits down with me to discuss
life, family and mental health.
Immaculately dressed in all-black attire
accessorized with a welcoming smile, Ora
radiates a sense of warmth as she greets me.
“I’ve just finished work, so I do apologise for the
rush” she says, leaving me quite bewildered as
to how one can look so pristine after running a
morning perinatal mental health clinic.
It’s been a busy few years for Vera, who now
heads up the NHS’ commitment to provide
adequate and professional mental health aid to
pregnant young women. “It is just so important
to ensure that the possibility of complications
during the pregnancy are minimised as early as
possible and making sure that women from all
backgrounds feel supported in such a scary time”
she explains.
Is social media making us unsociable?
Mental Health has been a big part of the
majority of Vera’s adult life, not only working in
the field but also acting as an advocate on social
media. “The young generation face so much
stress in their l ives, it’s no wonder they turn to
drug use or excessive use of video games and
social media.”
Ora describes how she fears the outlets that
young people use as an escapism from mental
health issues may in fact be the precursor to
further mental health issues. “People don’t realise
that recreational
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drug usage is linked to serious mental illnesses such as
schizophrenia or that spending too much time online just leads
to poor social development.”
Vera encourages having a part time job as an outlet to
further your social skills and avoid everyday stress. “Working
in something like hospitality means you work directly with
people whilst having incentives like tips to ensure you keep to
a standard of social etiquette. My son has a part time job- it’s
really healthy!”
I miss having the privacy to do simple mother-daughter
things.
Life in the Ora household took a complete overhaul as
daughter Rita gained a record deal with music giant Jay-Z.
Within years Rita had amassed a large and dedicated fan
base and a string of UK Number One hit singles under her
belt. The Ora surname catapulted into a household name
across the world.
“It’s amazing, but sometimes I miss having the privacy to do
simple mother-daughter things like go shopping or go for
lunch without having to worry about Rita being mobbed.”
Despite obviously being proud of her daughter’s success, Vera
gives context on the price of fame.
“It’s so important to me that people remember I am not just
Rita’s mum, I also have Elena and Don and I love them all
equally.” Vera says of her music managing daughter and
Business student son. “I imagine it is hard for them to have a
sibling in the public eye but they are used to it and are all very
close.”
Ora encapsulates strong family values with her professional
knowledge on mental health to ensure her children are
healthy, happy and supported at all times.
Most people would call her an anomaly, but to her three
beloved children ‘Mum’ simply suffices.
02/05/2018 16:59