March 9, 2009
Mental Health
NUIG team has key role in mental health study
Galway City Tribune (Fri, 27 Feb 2009)
A research team from NUI Galway was to the fore in carrying out a survey on behalf of the Government on the levels of positive mental health in the Irish adult population, the results of which have been published this week. The research team from NUI Galway was led by Professor Margaret Barry, Director of the Health Promotion Research Centre, and included Mr Eric Van Lente and Dr Michal Molcho, also from the Health Promotion Research Centre.
Suicide Prevention
Funds for suicide prevention set to be cut by 12.5%
Irish Times (Thu, 5 Mar 2009)
Financial support for organisations working to prevent suicide is set to be cut by 12.5 per cent this year, the Action on Suicide Alliance has said.The Health Service Executive’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) was cutting funding to mental health support groups, despite a recent increase in calls to organisations such as Aware and Console, the alliance said.
Why?
Irish Times (Tue, 3 Mar 2009)
A new RTÉ series aims to explore the heartbreaking aftermath of death by suicide, and the painful impact it has on those left behind to grieve.
Recession raises suicide risk among homeowners
Irish Examiner (Tue, 3 Mar 2009)
Fears have been expressed over the psychological impact of the recession as an increasing number of home repossession cases involve people suffering psychiatric illness. Over the past month alone, three house repossession cases before the high court have featured defendants under psychiatric care, with judges taking particular consideration of these circumstances when adjudicating.
Mental Health Service
HSE way off targets for child mental health care
Irish Independent (Mon, 2 Mar 2009)
Crucial targets for child and teenage adolescent mental health are not being met. And the HSE has admitted that waiting lists for psychiatric assessment are unlikely to improve, with thousands of children still waiting. Latest figures obtained by the Irish Independent reveal that the HSE is way off targets set by the Government for mental health services for children, and crucial psychiatric care is losing out as a result.
Six out of 10 GPs say patients delay visits due to recession
Irish Examiner (Mon, 2 Mar 2009)
Six out of every 10 GPs in Ireland believe patients are delaying visits to their doctor as a direct result of the economic downturn. A national survey of 100 GPs across the country has found that 63% of respondents are convinced patients who should be accessing the service are delaying visiting their local doctor due to their current financial situation.
Ó Caoláin visit to Psychiatric and related services at St. Davnet's
Northern Standard (Thursday 26th Feb-2009)
Caoimhghin O Caolain paid an official visit on Friday last to the psychiatric services at St. Davnet's Hospital and the related services that are provided at or managed from the wider Rooskey site. The Cavan/Monaghan Dail Deputy had sought an opportunity to visit St. Davnet's and the related psychiatric services at Rooskey some months back. Deputy O Caolain was accompanied on his visit by Cllr. Brian McKenna, the leader of the Sinn Fein group on Monaghan County Council and who is a member of the HSE North East Forum.
Childcare graduates have 'alarming' lack of knowledge
Galway City Tribune, (Page 5, 27-Feb-2009)
A research project conducted by NUI Galway, in conjunction with the HSE West, has revealed that many postgraduate students who will go on to be involved in child protection have very little knowledge of the processes to be adhered to when reporting and following up on child protection concerns. The project explored knowledge of the existing processes in child protection services in Ireland among postgraduate students from various disciplines includi
ng general and mental health nursing, teaching and social work. Focus group interviews with participants revealed major inconsistencies between the disciplines in relation to knowledge of child protection issues and their respective roles.
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Self Harm
Thousands treated for self-inflicted injuries feel that causes are ignored
Irish Times (Tue, 3 Mar 2009)
Health services need to be more understanding of the needs of thousands of people who end up being treated for self-inflicted injuries every year, a seminar heard yesterday.There are about 11,000 presentations to casualty departments across the State each year, according to official figures compiled by the National Suicide Research Foundation.
Experts fear one-in-15 youngsters self-harm
Evening Herald (Mon, 2 Mar 2009)
There could be up to 60,000 cases of self-injury in Ireland each year – with as many as one in 15 young people affected by it. Hospital Accident and Emergency departments saw about 11,000 cases of self-inflicted injuries in 2007, a seminar in Trinity College's School of Nursing and Midwifery heard today. But this figure represents only a small percentage of actual self-injury, most of which does not come to the attention of health or social service providers.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia genes 'work differently'
Irish Health (Tue, 3 Mar 2009)
Schizophrenia could be caused by faulty signalling in the brain, the results of new research indicate. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness characterised by disturbances in a person's thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour. Symptoms can include delusions and hallucinations. The condition affects around one in every 100 people an estimated 41,000 people in Ireland are currently affected. Now, in the biggest study of its kind, UK scientists have identified 49 genes that work differently in the brains of people with schizophrenia compared to people without it. The findings are based on a detailed analysis of brain samples donated by people with the condition.
