December 21, 2007
Mental Health
Moods and emotions
Irish Times Subscription (Tue, 18 Dec 2007)
Second Opinion: Difficulties distinguishing between sadness, unhappiness, chronic stress and real depression, and the genuinely voiced concerns of such diverse figures as John Waters and Prof Patricia Casey that we are misdiagnosing the latter or "medicalising unhappiness" has led to much confusion.
Bebo introduces mental-health resource
Silicon Republic (Tue, 18 Dec 2007)
Bebo has announced the launch of a new resource on its site for information on mental health, social care and well-being. Entitled ‘Be Well’, the resource is accessible to Bebo’s 12 million-plus users in the UK and Ireland. Its aim is to provide Beboers with access to independent expert advice from support organisations.
Mental Health Service
Children as young as six in psychiatric hospital units
Irish Independent (Wed, 19 Dec 2007)
Children as young as six were placed in psychiatric units last year, a report has revealed. The Health Research Board also found that more than one in every 10 adults admitted to psychiatric units last year were detained against their will. The rate of involuntary admission is high by international standards at llpc.
Clarification sought over budget money allocated to mental health
Irish Times Subscription (Wed, 19 Dec 2007)
A Government member said the House should, as a matter of urgency, seek clarification on what had happened to money allocated for mental health services in the 2007 budget.
People involved in the field had spoken yesterday of allocated funds ending up elsewhere, said Maria Corrigan (FF).
Mental health funds used elsewhere, say campaigners
Irish Times Subscription (Tue, 18 Dec 2007)
Health authorities have been accused of diverting money that was ring-fenced for the mental health sector into paying for cost over-runs in other parts of the health service.
Many secure beds in Dublin hospital closed
Irish Times Subscription (Tue, 18 Dec 2007)
When disturbed and violent male patients present at Dublin's main hospitals for treatment, there is nowhere to accommodate them, it was claimed yesterday. This follows the closure of almost half of all the secure beds for such patients. They had been available at Dublin's St Brendan's Hospital. At least 10 of the 24 secure beds in the hospital have been closed recently.
Psychiatrists warn over HSE cutbacks
Irish Independent (Mon, 17 Dec 2007)
Psychiatrists have expressed concern about the HSE's recruitment embargo. The Irish College of Psychiatrists has warned that psychiatric patients are extremely vulnerable and need immediate and comprehensive care from a team of specialists. It is inevitable that patients will be affected by the HSE's cutbacks, it said. Spokesperson, Dr Consilia Walsh, said the Government's Vision for Change document on mental health services simply cannot be progressed if recruitment is banned.
Depression
Depressing heart link
Irish Times Subscription (Tue, 18 Dec 2007)
The link between depression and heart disease is not often written about, perhaps out of fear of causing distress to people with one or the other of these conditions or with both. But to remain silent about the link is to deprive people of information that could save their lives.
