April 16, 2010
Mental Health
Campaign over mental health stigma
Wicklow People (Thu, 15 April 2010)
Many mental health sufferers are seen solely in terms of their illness regardless of the contribution they make to society, a minister has said. John Moloney said it was time to tackle the stigma experienced by patients who lack a voice.
Social support for first-time mothers
Irish Medical Times (Wed, 14 April 2010)
Dr Patricia Leahy-Warren elaborates on her recent research regarding new mothers, maternal parental self-efficacy and postnatal depression
Government will provide €1.5m to fund network of youth cafes
Irish Times (Tue, 13 April 2010)
The Government has agreed to provide €1.5 million to fund a network of youth cafes across the State to provide teenagers with a safe place to “hang out” which is free from drugs and alcohol. There are currently about 30 youth cafes in the Republic, which provide a place for young people to meet, relax and play games. A lot of the cafes also provide counselling, health services and family planning advice to young people.
Sale of padded bras for children sparks outcry
Irish Independent (Thu, 15 April 2010)
Children’s charities yesterday slated retailer Penneys for sexualising children by selling padded bras to young girls. The retailer was yesterday forced to withdraw padded bikini tops for seven-year-olds, hut is continuing to sell padded bras for girls as young as 10 at its Irish stores. The Dublin-based company which has 196 stores worldwide apologised for any offence caused by the sale of the padded bikinis.
Mental Ill Health
New horizons in psychiatric care
Irish Medical Times (Wed, 14 April 2010)
Dr Amin A. Muhammad, Professor of Psychiatry at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, examines the various psychiatric classification systems and how they are about to change
Legal hiqhs not OK- just ask any psychiatrist
Irish Independent Health & Living (Mon 12 April 2010)
It’s been busy in Dublin's Mater Hospital accident department. An audit over the Easter weekend showed that some 15 cases, with various conditions resulting from the use of head-shop preparations, made their way to the hospital to be treated. These conditions ranged from seizures, to panic attacks to confusion.
Mental Health Service
Involuntary admissions – minimising the stress
Forum (Tue, 13 April 2010)
The average GP handles just a few of involuntary admissions a year, yet they are described by practitioners as the most stressful and time-consuming of consultations. Added to this is the uncertainty about the physical safety of the doctor and others during some involuntary admissions.
Donabate residents secure commitment on CMH relocation
Fingal Independent (Tue, 13 April 2010)
A committment has been made by a junior Government Minister to meet with Donabate peninsula representatives before any decision on the proposed relocation of the Central Mental Hospital is made. Speculation has been mounting in recent months that the CMH will be relocated to St Ita's Hospital in Portrane after it emerged that the initial preferred site at Thornton Hall was not big enough.
A Vision for Change is a 'work of fiction'
Irish Medical Times (Wed, 14 April 2010)
The Government’s mental health policy A Vision for Change is a ‘vision going backwards’ and has become a ‘work of fiction’, psychiatrists have claimed. Speaking on four related motions at the IMO AGM, consultant psychiatrist Dr Siobhán Barry pointed to the lack of promised investment and the reduction in staff numbers as the two key problems for the policy, which was now a ‘vision going backwards’.
Suicide Prevention
Limerick tackles suicide rates
Irish Medical Times (Wed, 14 April 2010)
With the highest rates of deliberate self-harm in Ireland and high suicide rates, County Limerick has been selected as an intervention region in a European Commission-funded project for suicide and self-harm prevention.
Inquiry into 30 suicides at France Telecom
Irish Times (Sat, 10 April 2010)
An investigating magistrate has begun an inquiry into more than 30 suicides at France Telecom to find out whether staff may have suffered workplace harassment.
