September 11, 2009
Mental Health Service
Call for out-of-hours social worker service
Irish Times (Fri, 11 September 2009)
A social work service available for emergencies on a 24-hour, seven-day a week basis has been called for in a new report commissioned by the Mental Health Commission and An Garda Síochána.
Amnesty: HSE failing on mental health spending
Irish Examiner (Mon, 7 September 2009)
The Health Service Executive has been severely rebuked by Amnesty International Ireland for failing to keep track on spending in mental health. The human rights organisation found the health authority was unable to account for spending on mental health because of major gaps in its financial processes.
Suicide Prevention
Candlelight vigil marks suicide prevention day
Irish Times (Fri, 11 September 2009)
A candlelight vigil was held in Dublin last night to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. Families, friends and colleagues of people who took their own lives gathered at College Green to light candles in memory of those who died.
Suicides increase when unemployment rises
Irish Medical Times (Wed, 9 September 2009)
International evidence suggests that during periods of sharp and sustained increases in unemployment, people out of work are three times more likely to consider suicidal behaviour.
Even among people with no record of mental illness, unemployment is still associated with about a 70 per cent greater suicide risk.
Support service for local families
The Argus (Wed, 9 September 2009)
A service to provide support for those affected by suicide in Dundalk is being launched tomorrow ( Thursday) to co-incide with World Suicide Prevention Day. The Dundalk Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm (PIPS) is being launched at the Magnet Centre on Thursday at 1pm.
Suicidal staff call charity for help
Irish Examiner (Mon, 7 September 2009)
Workplace bullying has "far surpassed" any other reason why people are seeking advice from suicide prevention counselling services, the head of a suicide prevention charity has said.
Mental Health
Mental health of mothers linked to obesity in children
Irish Examiner (Wed, 9 September 2009)
The children of mothers who suffer serious psycho logical problems like depression and anxiety are at greater risk of obesity, according to the findings of a study due to be presented in Dublin today. Researchers found that almost one fifth of the 10,855 children involved in the study were overweight by the age of three.
Eating Disorders
We can't ban anorexia sites say web firms
Evening Herald (Wed, 9 September 2009)
Internet companies have said that banning pro-anorexia websites is not possible until psychologists and Government provide clearer guidelines.
Depression
Parents advised on helping depressed child
Irish Times (Fri, 11 September 2009)
Depressive disorders affect 2 per cent of children and up to 5 per cent of adolescents, parents were told at a talk organised to help them cope with depression and self-harm in their children.
Self Harm
Significant rise in deliberate self-harm among young people
Irish Examiner (Wed, Sep 2009)
The number of 10 to 29-year-olds deliberately self-harming has increased "significantly" in the past 12 months, with Cork and Limerick cities recording the highest levels anywhere in the country.
