October 14, 2010
Eating Disorders
Hospital help for teen food disorders
Evening Echo (Friday, 8th October 2010)
The treatment of eating disorders in teens has received a major boost with the launch of a new adolescent inpatient unit at St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin. The new unit which was recently launched will cater for adolescents with a range of mental health problems including anxiety difficulties and depression. Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick's, said that around half the beds may be used to treat eating disorders.
Mental Health
In spite of it all, we're still among Europe's happiest
Irish Times (Wednesday, 13th October 2010)
In spite of our economic problems, Irish people are less likely to be sick or depressed than our European neighbours and remain among the happiest on the continent, according to a Eurostat survey on mental health. Just 4 per cent of us reported accomplishing less because of depression or anxiety. Irish people are among the least likely in Europe to seek help for psychological or emotional problems, and the number of us who do is dropping. Six per cent said they took anti-depressants, slightly below the EU average.
Teens told to reach out for mental help
Evening Echo (Friday, 8th October 2010)
Removing the stigma surrounding depression was one of the aims of a conference for teens to mark World Mental Health Day. Organised by the Cork Mental Health Foundation, the conference at the Rochestown Park Hotel was attended by more than 500 students from schools across Cork city and county. In a recent study of Irish teenagers 27% experienced serious personal, emotional, behavioural or mental health problems.
Mental Health Service
Insanity Bill to correct justice system flaw
Irish Times (Wednesday, 13th October 2010)
A Bill to correct a major flaw in the way the criminal justice system deals with people with a mental illness who have committed a crime has been introduced in the Dáil. The Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill corrects what the Minister of State for Health John Moloney described as a “relatively black and white situation where a person either required in-patient treatment or the person was completely cured”.
Minors continue to be treated in St Loman’s
Westmeath Examiner (Wednesday, 13th October 2010)
Local adolescents suffering from acute mental illnesses are still being treated alongside adults in St Loman’s Hospital due to a shortage of specialised facilities. Despite warnings from the Mental Health Commission of the long term impact on adolescents treated in acute adult psychiatric units, a statement issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to the Westmeath Examiner yesterday afternoon confirmed that minors continue to be treated alongside adults in St Loman’s
'Unsuitable' Ennis hospital still admits teenagers
Clare People (Tuesday, 12th October 2010)
Teenagers continue to be hospitalised at the adult psychiatric unit in Ennis even though it is not suitable and staff are not qualified to treat them. When asked about the lack of teenage mental health services in the county, the HSE said, "Teenage psychiatric patients from Clare who need in-patient beds access them at St Ann's in Galway" However consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said this has never happened, resulting in 16 – 18 year-olds being admitted to the adult unit in Ennis which is chronically under-staffed.
Centres will house patients
Clondalkin Gazette (Thursday, 7th October 2010)
The HSE has clarified that two new health centres being built in the Dublin West area will house mentally ill patients. "Building has commenced on two new community residences for patients who have suffered mental health difficulties," said a HSE spokes- person. Both units will support people in a transition phase towards full independent living." In addition to the residences, the HSE is also set to commence construction on a new building for the Ballyfermot and Lucan Mental Health Team.
Mental Illness
Duo battling to end the stigma of mental illness
Evening Echo (Friday, 8th October 2010)
A conference to mark World Mental Health Day took place in University College, Cork. People of all ages and back grounds were encouraged to talk at the conference about how they came to terms with their own mental illness. All the speakers at the conference are people who have used, or are using, the psychiatric services, 'Defeating stigma through ownership' is the theme of the conference chosen by Noel Palmer and John Kidney, who believe that people only begin to get back on track when they take ownership of their illness.
Could electric shocks while you sleep beat depression?
Irish Daily Mail (Tuesday, 12th October 2010)
A device that emits a mild electric current to nerves in your forehead while you sleep could prove a major breakthrough when it comes to the treatment of depression. The mobile phone-sized gadget is wired up to two electrodes that are stuck to the forehead at bedtime. Throughout the night, the device then transmits weak electrical currents through the electrodes and into a nerve running just beneath the skin above the eyes.
A joint approach to body and mind
Irish Times (Tuesday, 12th October 2010)
People with serious mental health problems are more likely to develop significant physical illnesses including coronary heart disease, diabetes and stroke and to die earlier. Last Sunday was World Mental Health Day and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) chose to focus on the relationship between mental health and
chronic physical illness as the theme for this year’s event.
Suicide
Something toxic in this culture that puts our young in such pain
Irish Times (Saturday, 9th October 2010)
In tackling the tragedy of youth suicide, we need to rebuild the bonds between generations. Hearing that a 14 year old had been admitted to an adult psychiatric unit last weekend was a grim reminder of how difficult life has become for our young people. The statistics are frightening. Although we rank 21st of 26 countries for adult suicide, we are the fourth worst of 26 countries for death by suicide by young people.
Suicide Prevention
Project Planned To Create Better Awareness Of Suicide Prevention
Tullamore Tribune (Tuesday, 7th October 2010)
The streets of the town of Tullamore will provide the setting for a spectacular soap box race on New Years Day January 1st next with over sixty participating cars as part of an innovative project to create greater awareness of suicide prevention measures in County Offaly. RTE Rugby analyst and broadcaster George Hook was on hand at the Rugby Club in Tullamore this week to help launch details of what's to be known as the ASIST Tullamore Soap Box Derby which is being organised by Tullamore Lions club in association with the Midlands 999 Emergency Services and Midlands 103.
