Category: Blog
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I’m a Man With Bulimia, and This Is What It’s Like
For years, I felt like the only boy in the world with an eating disorder. I was wrong. Writer Louis Baragona recounts his own years-long struggle with bulimia, and how he finally forged a path to recovery. This Article, written by Louis Baragona, appeared in Men’sHealth.com on 29.03.18 When I was 7 years old, I turned…
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What happens when doctors change your diagnosis?
For some, a definitive label offers a lifeline and a way to understand their condition. When that is altered, even for the better, the effects can be devastating. This article written by Jules Montague appeared online The Guardian, 11.06.18. Suzy Syrett suddenly stopped going to her bipolar support group. Nobody had thrown her out, but…
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For Doctors with mental illness, ‘help me’ can be the hardest words
There is a greater openness about mental health generally, but for medical professionals the taboo remains. This article, written by Clare Gerada, appeared online at the Guardian on 06.06.18. The charity Mind has found that almost half of all patients consulting their general practitioner do so for problems with their mental health, such as anxiety and…
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History of Psychiatry and the LGBT Community
Dr Sean Naughton considers the troubled history of the Psychiatric profession and the LGBT community. (December 2017) Through advocacy, civil action, and the support of the wider population, the LGBT community has made great strides in recent decades to resolve the historical prejudices and marginalisation to which they have been subjected. Much work remains to be…
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The Living Library – A Library Come to Life in the Outdoors for Green Ribbon Month
The College ran the ‘Living Library’ this May for Green Ribbon Month with See Change. By starting the conversation in the outdoors the College aimed to challenge the stigma of speaking about mental health difficulties and to encourage an important mantra ‘Don’t Judge A Book by Its Cover’. When it comes to mental health everyone has…
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Letter to the Editor
A REFOCUS committee member wrote this letter to the Editor of the The Irish Times. It discusses prisoners and mental illness, 28.05.18. Sir, In its submission to an Oireachtas committee, the Irish Penal Reform Trust point to an increase from 3 per cent to close to 8 per cent in the incidence of severe mental illness…
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Dear Ireland, I am willing to make a deal with you
A letter to Ireland from someone with schizophrenia – A reflection on engagement with, judgment and perception of those who experience health mental difficulties. This is particularly poignant with it being Green Ribbon month, the month that aims to reduce stigma of mental illness. …
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Irish comedian on being diagnosed with autism as an adult
Comedian, illustrator and creator of Your One Nikita, Aoife Dooley, was recently diagnosed with autism at the age of 27. She joined Ray D’Arcy to talk about the process of being diagnosed and what has happened since. This article appeared online at RTÉ.ie on 17/05/18. “I suppose it was a bit of a shock but then, at the same time, I wasn’t surprised either.”…
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Election of Members to the CPsychI Trainee Committee
The College’s Trainee Committee is currently recruiting for members to fill 10 available positions for the 2018 – 2020 tenure. 16 applications in total were received by the deadline of 16th May 2018, and as such (and as per election guidelines) election to the Trainee Committee will be subject to ballot by NCHD Members of the…
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International coalition of experts set out concerns and recommendations for 13 Reasons Why season 2 release
The hugely popular yet criticised 13 Reasons Why Netflix series has returned for a second season today. By Mary Hayes The first season, which racked up over 3.5 million social media impressions and 600,000 news reports sparked concern from many mental health professionals, including the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, Headspace, and RCPsych, for its…