December 3, 2010
Mental Health
Evening Echo (Wednesday, 1 December 2010)
A mental health guide for young people to help them deal with issues including bullying has been developed by teenagers in Cork city. The mental health directory of services has been compiled by the Cork city branch of Comhairle na n6g. It has been incorporated into the school journals of three Cork city schools — North Monastery, Christ King Secondary School and St Aloysius Secondary School in Cork city.
Mental Health Service
Medical Independent Clinical Compendium (Friday, 26 November 2010)
In continuing efforts to have the wording of the Mental Health Act 2001 amended in relation to the administration of ECT, the College of Psychiatry of Ireland has again called for the removal of the word 'unwilling' from Section 59b of the Mental Health Act 2001. At a recent all-party briefing in Leinster House the College strongly proposed that Section 59b be retained in the legislation but called for the wording to be revised. Section 59 of the Act legislates on the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with and without capacity.
Galway City Tribune (Friday, 26 November 2010)
This week, the newly appointed Chairman of the HSE, Dr Frank Dolphin, launched their second annual report on the delivery of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The West of Ireland has the highest number of teenagers being referred for psychiatric treatment after showing suicidal and self-harming tendencies. The Western region also has the highest incidences of children with ADHD and other attention disorders according to the latest statistics released by the HSE.
Nationalist & Munster Advertiser (Thursday, 25 November 2010)
The closure of St Michael's psychiatric ward at South Tipperary General Hospital Is 'very close to happening and is of "huge” concern' to local GPs. In a statement to The Nationalist this week, on behalf of the Irish College of General Practitioners, which represents GPs in the area, Clonmel doctor Brian Morrissey says that people need to be made aware the closure is imminent and that it will affect patients with mental illness and their families. Although not officially confirmed, it is feared the unit could close in March of next year.
Connacht Sentinel (Tuesday, 30 November 2010)
Galway City planners have given the green light for a major mental health drop-in centre and youth cafe at the Fairgreen. The centre – which will be based in the former Habitat store – will include meeting and consultancy rooms, offices, a soundproof music room and a café. The plan will see Jigsaw on Mary Street and The Gaf on St Francis Street relocate to the one premises. Jigsaw, which is a partner- ship of Headstrong, the HSE and Mental Health Ireland, offers services for 15 to 25 year olds and the new centre will be able to cater for up to 70 people at any one time.
Self-harm
Liffey Champion (Saturday, 27 November 2010)
Having just published her first book, Joan Freeman from Pieta House said coming up with the content was the easy part, and finding the time to sit down to write it was the only problem.
'Cover Up – Understanding Self Harm' was launched last Thursday (18th November), speaking after the launch, Joan said: "The book is directed at parents and therapists, and it gives a great insight as to why people self-harm, in a simple way.
Suicide
Westmeath Examiner (Wednesday, 1 December 2010)
Mullingar’s Aspen Counselling Services has recently been “inudated” with calls from people with suicidal tendencies according to its founder Pat Gavin. Many of the calls received in recent months have been from people worried about their changing financial circumstances. While the not for profit counselling service has never been busier, Mr Gavin said that, so far, his organisation “hasn’t refused anyone yet”. One positive that has emerged in recent months, the Aspen founder noted, is that an increasing number of men appear to have realised that there is no shame attached to seeking help for mental health problems.
Offlay Express (Wednesday, 1 December 2010)
Hopes have been raised for the restoration of the Portarlington-based suicide prevention helpline. Local people and volunteers were shocked recently to find that the Teenline service had shut down, due to funding and other problems at the Dublin HQ. But it has since emerged that contacts have been made with a number of organisations, including Console and the Samaritans, to find a way to restore the service in Portarlington.
