March 2, 2012
Mental Ill Health
Antibiotic tested as psychosis 'remedy'
Irish Independent (Friday, 02 March 2012)
A cheap antibiotic normally prescribed to teenagers for acne is to be tested as a treatment to alleviate the symptoms of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia, in a trial that could advance understanding of the causes of mental illness.
Self-harm 'most hidden' behaviour in society
Irish Examiner (Wednesday, 28 February 2012)
Self-harm is the "most hidden" behaviour in Irish society and will be another revelation to hit the country, according to a voluntary group Pieta House.
Surge in self-harm incidents linked to effects of recession
Irish Examiner (Wednesday, 28 February 2012)
More than 48,000 people — some as young at 10 — were hospitalised over a seven-year period after deliberately harming themselves.
Just a teenager trying to make sense of his life
Irish Times (Wednesday, 28 February 2012)
MIND MOVES: Risk taking has an edge for adolescents, writes Tony Bates.
Mental Health Service
HSE puts off closing psychiatric unit
Irish Examiner (Thursday, 01 March 2012)
The HSE has decided to postpone the closure of St Michael's acute psychiatric unit in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, which was due to shut its doors on Mar 31 and stop admitting patients today.
Close to 3,000 cases of physical restraint
Irish Examiner (Thursday, 01 March 2012)
Seclusion and physical and mechanical restraint using chairs and bandages were used 5,370 times on patients in psychiatric units during 2010, according to the State's mental health watchdog.
Rights-based approach needed in new law on legal capacity
Irish Times (Thursday, 01 March 2012)
OPINION: The legal capacity systems in Ireland and much of Europe are outdated and urgently need reform. The automatic loss of human rights of those placed under guardianship is a practice that must be changed.
