News from: media

October 31, 2008

News Highlights (24th-31st October 2008)

Mental Health Service

Emergency mental health law rushed through Dáil
Irish Times (Fri, 31 Oct 2008)
Emergency legislation to close off a potential legal loophole covering the detention of people in psychiatric institutions was rushed through the Dáil and Seanad yesterday and sent for signature by President Mary McAleese.  The move came in advance of a judgment to be delivered in the High Court today in the case of a female patient who is challenging her detention in a private psychiatric hospital in Dublin.

Afghan man wins case on housing provision
Irish Times (Fri, 31 Oct 2008)
A legal challenge by a mentally ill, homeless and destitute asylum seeker aimed at securing accommodation for him has been resolved on terms including the State's agreement to readmit him to its system of accommodation for asylum seekers

Overcrowded prisons 'most pressing issue'
Irish Times (Wed, 29 Oct 2008)
Overcrowding, violence, drug abuse and the lack of treatment for mentally ill inmates have all been identified as key issues of concern within the prison service by the new Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly.

St Patrick's expands services
Irish Times (Tue, 28 Oct 2008)
A Dublin psychiatric hospital is expanding its services around the State with the opening of a range of regional mental health centres over the next five years.
St Patrick's Hospital is establishing the Dean Clinics as part of a five-year strategy which has identified the urgent need for community-based mental health centres.

Services cannot cope with number of youths seeking help
Irish Times (Tue, 28 Oct 2008)
Hundreds of children and adolescents in crisis who need counselling and support are being turned away from services because they cannot cope with demand. Crosscare, the social care agency of the Dublin Diocese, said it was unable to deal with about 250 referrals over the past year involving young people with a wide range of problems including addiction, depression, abuse or bullying.

Mental Health

Teens reveal peer pressure over alcohol
Irish Examiner (Fri, 31 Oct 2008)
More than half of older teenagers would not refuse alcohol if put under pressure by friends, a study has found. A survey of more than 300 10 to 17-year-olds by youth organisation Foroige found that peer pressure plays a crucial role in shaping young people's attitude to alcohol. Only one third of teenagers felt they would have the confidence to say no to alcohol if pressurised by their peers.

On course for a revolution
Irish Times (28 Oct 2008)
An innovative mental health course which brings together service users, carers and health professionals has the potential to revolutionise the mental health services in Ireland, according to its course co-ordinator.

Suicide Prevention

SUICIDE FEAR FOR LONELY ELDERLY
Irish Daily Mirror (Wed, 30 Oct 2008)
Elderly people are threatening suicide because they are so lonely, a support group revealed yesterday. The Senior Helpline said almost two thirds of the 800 calls they receive every month are from pensioners feeling isolated. Speaking ahead of the service's first conference in Salt Hill, Co Galway, chief executive Mary Nally said: "Many lead solitary lives with few people to speak to, they may be housebound, isolated and greatly . lacking in social contact. "

Spotting signs of suicidal behaviour 'key with youth'
Irish Times (Mon, 27 Oct 2008)
The No Name Club, which runs alcohol-free youth events, has expressed concern at the very high rate of youth suicide and has begun to train its adult volunteers to identify suicidal behaviour.

Depression

Depression ups preterm delivery risk
Irish Health.com (Sat, 25 Oct 2008)
Women who are depressed during pregnancy are twice as likely to experience a premature delivery compared to women who are not depressed, the results of a new study indicate.

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