July 13, 2007
Eating disorders
London allows skinny models but they must be over 16
Irish Examiner, Page 11, 12-Jul-2007
Models under 16 will be banned from London Fashion Week catwalks under new rules proposed yester- day. A panel of experts set up to investigate health problems among models also called for greater protection for 17 and 18-year-olds, including chaperoning at shows. But the independent Model Health Inquiry, set up in the wake of the size zero debate, ruled out weighing all models because it had been ineffective in other countries.
Eating illness patients face 18-month wait for bed
Sunday Independent, Page 8, 08-Jul-2007
People suffering from eating disorders have to wait an average of 18 months before they can secure an in-patient hospital bed. That's according to the national charity Bodywhys which provides support and information to people who are suffering from a variety of eating disorders. There is currently a maximum of 16 private beds in St Patrick's hospital, eight private beds in St John of God's and a total of three public beds in St Vincent's hospital in Dublin to cater for the significant number of eating disorder patients in Ireland.
Diabetics refusing insulin to stay thin
Evening Herald, Page 26, 06-Jul-2007
Teenagers and young women with diabetes are risking their lives to lose weight. They have joined the ranks of their American sis- ters with a condition known as Diabulimia. Diabulimia is a term coined to describe skipping vital insulin injections to lose weight.
Mental Health
Academic quits post over indecent assaults disclosure
A leading childcare specialist has resigned from his academic post after the disclosure that he has a conviction for attempted indecent assault in the Netherlands. Dr Niall McElwee tendered his resignation to the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) last week as a result of the incident at a hotel in Amsterdam in June 2004.
A leading childcare specialist has resigned from his academic post after the disclosure that he has a conviction for attempted indecent assault in the Netherlands. Dr Niall McElwee tendered his resignation to the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) last week as a result of the incident at a hotel in Amsterdam in June 2004.
Mental Health Service
Investment in children can cost far less than their imprisonment
Investment in children can cost far less than their imprisonment Investment in children can cost far less than their imprisonment. when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair unveiled a provocative campaign to crack down on future "problem children" before they were born, elements of the British political class were apoplectic. The plans, to support pregnant teenage girls before they gave birth, prompted outrage in Westminster where the womb- to-the-tomb proposals were swiftly dubbed "fasbos", anti-social behaviour orders for foetuses. "Fasbos" were roundly (and correctly) dismissed as incredulous nanny state intervention in the homes of so-called "nuisance" families to tackle anti-social behaviour and juvenile crime.
HSE West's 'Choose Life, Reach Out' card to be handed out at festival
Connaught Telegraph, Page 16b, 11-Jul-2007
'Choose Life, Reach Out' card to be handed out at festival HSE West has developed an information card containing the phone numbers of the key emergency services in Mayo as part of its ongoing efforts to promote mental health services within the county. The card, entitled 'Choose Life, Reach Out', will be handed out to people visiting the Ballina Street and Arts Festival this week in an effort to connect with as many people as possible as they go about their daily lives.
Suicide
I'm doing perfectly well, says Ballesteros
Irish Independent (Fri, 13 Jul 2007) Severiano Ballesteros wants to assure his "friends and admirers" around the world that amid reports of a suicide attempt and a heart scare he is doing "perfectly well."
Irish Independent (Fri, 13 Jul 2007) Severiano Ballesteros wants to assure his "friends and admirers" around the world that amid reports of a suicide attempt and a heart scare he is doing "perfectly well."
Culture of hopelessness fuels suicide
Irish Examiner, Page 6, 09-Jul-2007
At least seven people have taken their lives in Co Limerick in the past two months, prompting concern over the level of psychiatric services in the area. One local priest, Fr Joe Young, said he questioned whether the figure might not be even higher. He said there "was now a culture of hopelessness, particularly among young people, and older people were sometimes "hostages in their own homes". Gardai in the Limerick division confirmed that seven people had died by suicide since the beginning of May.
Depression
THE RAIN'S A DRAIN
Irish Daily STAR, Page 13, 13-Jul-2007
Grey skies and lashing rain drowning out hopes of a sunny summer are affecting our mental wel
l-being, a support group said yesterday. A spokeswoman for AWARE which helps people battling depression warned against connecting the rain with depression. But she said: "The weather would have an effect on our mental well- being. "What we mean is that in life we try to have a good work and life balance.
l-being, a support group said yesterday. A spokeswoman for AWARE which helps people battling depression warned against connecting the rain with depression. But she said: "The weather would have an effect on our mental well- being. "What we mean is that in life we try to have a good work and life balance.
