Category: Blog
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Discovering that her daughter had an eating disorder turned one mother’s idea of what it means to raise a happy child on its head
‘She cries at night telling me she’s fat’ – Mum on the pain of her teenager’s eating disorder. This article appeared on Independent.ie, 13/06/18. She cuts her pizza into tiny slices. It’s homemade, generously covered in sauce and cheese. She lifts a slice, then drops it. “I can’t,” she says. I am sitting right beside…
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Amid rising awareness of mental illness in Ireland, HSE prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiety medications up by two thirds since 2009
HSE prescriptions for antidepressant and anxiety medications rose in Ireland by almost two thirds over a 10-year period, according to new statistics. This article by Stephen Mcdermott, appeared on the Journal.ie, 1/08/18. Figures seen by TheJournal.ie show that between 2009 and 2017, prescription for eight antidepressants available from the HSE increased by 64%. The medications include the Select Serotonin…
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Media Coverage: Brendan O’Connor on the simple solution to our failing mental health system
Four-year-olds are self-harming, doctors are quitting, Tusla is a disaster area, but here’s one modest suggestion to break the cycle, says Brendan O’Connor. This article appeared on the Independent.ie, 24/06/18. It’s a sunny day and I don’t want to depress you. But I want to draw your attention to some strands of a quiet crisis,…
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Pride month: Ireland has said ‘Yes’ to equality, but do LGBT people feel equal?
It’s LGBT Pride month and there are many reasons to celebrate, but where stigma, bullying and mental health are concerned, we still have a long way to go. It’s the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland, and 3 years since marriage equality and the commencement of the Gender Recognition Act. Just this…
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Pride Month: Talking mental illness, mental health, and being part of the LGBT community.
We spoke to CPsychI REFOCUS member (Recovery Experience Forum of Carers and Users of Services) Laura Louise Condell who has been a member of the committee since 2016. She is also the the coordinator of the Dublin Lesbian Line which focuses on supporting women of the LGBT+ community. We sat down with her to talk mental illness, mental…
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Mental Health in the Media
The last week has proven to be a busy ‘media’ time for psychiatrists, psychiatry and the College in print, broadcast and social media. Many items were covered this week: Youth Mental Health, CAMHS, General Mental Health Services, Recruitment, Retention, Resourcing, Work Environments, and Attitudes and Processes in the HSE. The College contributed to a number of media…
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Many psychiatric disorders have common genetic links – major study
Findings likely to lead to changes in the way such conditions are treated. This article, written by Kevin O’Sullivan, was published online the Irish Times 22/06/18. Many common psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, “are deeply connected on a genetic level”, scientists have discovered. Researchers explored the links between these and other disorders…
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REFOCUS Meeting June 2018
REFOCUS discussed Trainee Induction, Green Ribbon month and stigma of mental illness on families recently at their second meeting of 2018. The College REFOCUS (Recovery Experience Forum of Carers and Users of Services) committee held a meeting on June 8th 2018. Through regular meetings and sub group meetings REFOCUS debates issues, writes papers, presents at…
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Top psychiatrist resigns over HSE lethargy on mental health
Lack of progress in mental health services sees President of the College of Psychiatrists resign from HSE. This article, written by Valerie Ryan, appeared online the Irish Medical Times 18.06.18. The President of the College of Psychiatrists, Dr John Hillery, resigned from the Health Service Executive (HSE) because of what he sees as so little progress…
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Are we tuned in? Dr Miriam Kennedy reflects on Men’s Health Week 2018
Are we tuned in?…to Men’s mental Distress? We asked Dr Miriam Kennedy Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Communication and Public Education to reflect on how society could take that ‘one small step’ and encourage men to talk openly and honestly about their mental health, following International Men’s Health Week 2018. One of my earliest memories…