Dr Zina Alhilali, a Leicester-based medical doctor and trauma specialist known professionally as Dr Zee, will be one of the keynote speakers at the free Beat the Odds public event at Leicester Highcross on Saturday 11 April 2026, starting at 10am.
A TEDx speaker and founder of Dr Zee Wellbeing, she is widely recognised for her work in trauma-informed mental health support, delivering coaching and educational programmes across the UK.
Dr Alhilali’s background spans several countries. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, she spent her early childhood amid conflict before relocating to Sweden and later the United Kingdom. Her experiences of displacement and prolonged instability have shaped both her clinical practice and her commitment to raising awareness about trauma.
She notes that many people fail to recognise the long-term effects of trauma until well after the events themselves. Symptoms often manifest in unexpectedly varied forms, she explains, and are frequently misinterpreted or overlooked.
Behaviours such as hypervigilance, difficulties with trust and a drive towards perfectionism can, she says, originate from early or sustained stress rather than fixed personality traits.
Dr Alhilali emphasises that trauma is not confined to war, violence or overtly severe incidents.
Stressful or unsafe environments, emotional neglect, bullying or even a single impactful remark can leave lasting psychological effects. What matters most, she argues, is a person’s sense of safety at the time and their ability to protect themselves.
Her work highlights three key components of recovery: developing awareness of symptoms, learning techniques to regulate the nervous system, and receiving consistent support from a stable and understanding community. She adds that social stigma around mental health – particularly within certain cultural groups and among men – continues to be a major barrier to seeking help.
A recurring theme in Dr Alhilali’s public work is the need to shift narratives around adversity.
She encourages individuals to view their experiences through a lens of resilience rather than victimhood, a message she delivers across both clinical and community settings.
Alongside her coaching practice, Dr Alhilali advises organisations on adopting trauma-informed approaches.
Her appearance at Beat the Odds is expected to attract significant interest, reflecting growing public concern about mental health and the increasing demand for accessible, evidence-based support.
For more information about the Beat the Odds event, visit https://www.riverconsultants.co.uk/s-projects-basic
By Romail Gulzar
