January 23, 2009
Mental Health
New library scheme to guide people on self-help books
Irish Times (Tue, 20 Jan 2009)
A new scheme has been launched in Mayo to guide people in their choice of good quality self-help books in the local library for common psychological and emotional issues.The focus of the Healthy Reading Scheme is to highlight the availability of a wide variety of self-help books which can help people deal with common problems they may encounter in their lives such as anxiety, depression, stress and bereavement.
Mental Health Service
Mental health reform 'painfully slow'
Irish Health (Thu, 22 Jan 2009)
The reform of mental health services in Ireland has been ‘painfully slow’, with the result that those affected are struggling to access basic services, the Irish Mental Health Coalition (IMHC) has said. It has just published a new report highlighting the slow implementation of reform and the need for action in a time of increasing cutbacks.
Bed cuts causes concern in Waterford
Irish Times (Tue, 20 Jan 2009)
The decision by the HSE South to cut bed numbers at two Waterford hospitals catering for the elderly and those with mental illness has caused considerable concern in the city, a local councillor and member of the HSE South Regional Forum has revealed.
Psychiatric unit to open in March
Evening Echo (Tue, 20 Jan 2009)
The first facility in Cork to provide in- patient beds for teens suffering psychiatric disorders will open in March. According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), the recruitment process for specialist staff is underway and a number of the staffing complements have already been identified for an eight-bed, adolescent psychiatric unit, which will be fully commissioned in March at St Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire.
HSE spent €6.5m on treating 39 mentally ill Irish people in Britain
Irish Examiner (Mon, 19 Jan 2009)
More than €6.5 million was spent on treating 39 Irish people -with mental illnesses in Britain over a three-year period from 2005. The cost for care in overseas hospitals in 2007 came to €3.1m — almost half of the total bill — after the HSE sent 20 people to a range of facilities in Britain for treatment.
State under fire for failings in child health
Irish Examiner (Mon, 19 Jan 2009)
The government will today be accused of breaking a string of promises' on child welfare and of overseeing a health system more interested in money than child wellbeing. In an overview of the Government's performance on child health to be published today, the Children's Rights Alliance (CRA) will claim that -shortfalls in primary care and mental health provisions are just two areas where the state is falling dangerously behind targets.
Suicide Prevention
Rangers prevent four suicides at cliff
Irish Independent (Wed, 21 Jan 2009)
Rangers saved at least four lives at the Cliffs of Moher last year by intervening when people were contemplating suicide, according to a consultant psychiatrist. Dr Moosajee Bhamjee yesterday called on Clare County Council to provide more funding for extra rangers at the tourism hotspot after revealing how they referred "at least four people" to the State's psychiatric service in 2008.
Suicide prevention officer appointed
Bray People (Wed, 21 Jan 2009)
A suicide prevention officer responsible for the Wicklow area is to be appointed, according to members of Wicklow Against Suicide, and following a tireless campaign over the past year. Wayne Flanagan-Tobin, Chairman of the group, said that he would like to congratulate Minister John Moloney for following up on a commitment he made to the group regarding the position within the county.
Pharmacies sign up to HSE 'Dump' campaign
Irish Times (Tue, 20 Jan 2009)
More than 200 pharmacies have signed up to a new campaign being run by the Health Service Executive (HSE) South to encourage people to return unwanted or out-of-date medicines so they can be disposed of safely and properly. The Dispose of Unused Medicines Properly (Dump) campaign, which has been organised by the HSE with the community pharmacists in Cork and Kerry, will start next Monday and run in participating pharmacies until March 8th.
