March 27, 2015

Headline News Highlights (20th – 27th March)

Mental Health

Mental health system – Time for a radical overhaul
Irish Examiner, 27-March-2015
According to a damning report published recently, mental health services for children and teenagers are not alone and are not only understaffed, they are seriously overstretched.
 
1 in 7 children wait over year for mental health treatment
Irish Examiner, 27-March-2015
One in seven children and teenagers referred for mental health treatment are still waiting a year or more to access appropriate services, according to the Children’s Mental Health Coalition.
 
Time for a radical overhaul
Irish Examiner, 27-March-2015
Despite the much-vented promise to cherish all the children of the nation equally, successive governments have been grossly negligent towards young people with mental health problems.
 
"Stigma – we’ve got to remove that word and show that people can open up about talking": JOE chats to new Upbeat FM presenter Aidan Power
Joe.ie, 25-March-2015
Joe.ie holds a lively interview with Upbeat FM presenter Aidan Power on issues surrounding mental health in Ireland today.
 
Resilient people do not let adversity define them
Evening Echo, 25-March-2015
Family therapist Colm O’Connor says the vital quality of resilience can be learned.
 
'I thought this panic and fear was normal' – Joanna Kiernan on the anxiety that pervaded her school years
Independent.ie, 24-March-2015
Joanna Kiernan suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks during her school days and shares her story and tips for battling anxiety.
 
Breathing space: It's decision time
Independent.ie, 24-March-2015
The Independent discusses triggers that fuel addiction.
 
Safety concerns expressed by TD over mental hospital
Swords Fingal Independent, 24-March-2015
The safety of local residents and children must be priority during the construction of the National Forensic Mental Hospital at St Ita’s in Portrane, according to a local TCD.
 
McConville to address health and wellbeing seminar
Connaught Telegraph, 24-March-2015
Mayo GAA have lunched their own health and wellbeing initiative amid growing concern over the vulnerability of players and their mental health.
 
New mental health group is set up
Swords Fingal Independent, 24-March-2015
A new group has been established with the aim of promoting positive mental health in their local community of Donabate and Portrane peninsula.
 
When does stress become toxic?
Leinster Express, 24-March-2015
Dr Eddie Murphy talks about the harmful effects of chronic stress on mental health and delivers advice on preventing or coping the harmful effects.
 
Mental health unit lying idle due to staffing row – RTÉ News
RTE News, 23-March-2015
A 50-bed acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital is lying idle, two months after it was due to open, because of a row over staffing.

Suicide

Teenage girls waited for help that never came
Irish Examiner, 27-March-2015
Three out of four teenage girls who died by suicide were known to child protection services and had been on lengthy waiting lists for psychology services.
 
Anti suicide messages beam out over River Shannon
Irish Examiner, 24-March-2015
Eight anti-suicide messages of hope were beamed out over the River Shannon in Limerick tonight as part of a project to try to cut the numbers of people taking their own lives on the river.
 
Poignant exhibition in aid of Pieta House
Fingal Independent, 24-March-2015
An exhibition adorning the walls of terminal 2 of Dublin Airport acting sits as a reminder of the devastating effects of suicide on families across the country.
 
Modelling good eating habits
Irish Examiner, 23-March-2015
Peer pressure on teenagers to look like models is everywhere but Ailin Quinlan talks to eating disorder experts about what parents can do to offset this unfair influence.

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