News from: media

September 12, 2008

Headline News Highlights (12th-19th September 2008)

Mental Health

Minister Ahern announces proposals for a Mental Capacity Bill
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Minister%20Ahern%20announces%20proposals%20for%20a%20Mental%20Capacity%20Bill
Department of Justice (Tue, 16 Sep 2008 )
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., today announced that the Government has approved his proposals for a Mental Capacity Bill. Detailed provisions of the Bill will now be drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.

Largest Haka world record attempt
Irish Examiner (Thu, 18 Sep 2008)
More than 3,000 people •will attempt to smash the Guinness World Record to achieve the worlds largest ever Haka, it was announced yesterday. This event will take place on Monday, October 6, at the University of Limerick Arena to mark the start of Limerick Mental Health Week.  As the excitemerit builds in Limerick ahead of the Munster v All Blacks game in Thomond Park in November, the Haka World Record attempt is to en- courage Limerick people to feel positive about their mental health, according to organisers.

 Mental Health Service

Dismay over cutbacks in 'non-essential' services
Irish Times (Tue, 16 Sep 2008)
People using a mental healthcare facility in Claremorris, Co Mayo have expressed dismay at cutbacks in complementary therapies such as massage, creative writing and art. The HSE said the cutbacks were made because the services “were not considered essential”.

Naughten calls on HSE to honour commitment on sale of Ballinasloe land
Athlone Voice (Tue, 16 Sep 2008)
Local TD Denis Naughten has called on the HSE to honour a commitment given by the for- mer Western Health Board that funds from the sale of lands in Ballinasloe would be ringfenced for the men al health services in the area. "A decision was taken by the former WHB that any potential funds that may arise as a result of the disposal of lands at St Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe, would be used for the mental health services in east Galway and south Roscommon," explained Deputy Naughten.

Suicide Prevention

Pieta House service aimed at tackling high levels of suicide in community
Irish Times (Tue, 16 Sep 2008)
An organisation set up two years ago in an attempt to bring down suicide rates yesterday officially opened its first outreach centre in a disadvantaged area of Dublin with high rates of suicide.  The Pieta House outreach service will provide counselling from a newly opened community healthy living centre in Neilstown, Clondalkin, two days a week.

Papers get suicide guidelines
Irish Examiner (Mon, 15 Sep 2008)
Newspapers and other media could be bound by new guidelines regarding the reporting of suicide cases. The Press Council has advertised for submissions from the public regarding the reporting of suicide and murder-suicide cases. Press Ombudsman Prof -John Morgan confirmed that the submissions will form the basis for a report into the subject, which _will be published in advance of a public meeting on the issue to be held in late November or early December.

'Bunny suicide' book ban over copycat fears
Irish Daily Mail (Sat, 13 Sep 2008)
The best-selling Book Of Bunny Suicides was pulled from the shelves by a major bookstore in China yesterday, amid fears it could tempt chil- dren to harm themselves. The book, which features a rabbit trying to end its life in various bizarre ways, was withdrawn after one death and a spate of children's suicide bids at the start of the new Chinese school term.

Eating Disorders

Too young to work out?
Irish Times (Wed, 17 Sep 2008)
Gym franchise curves hit a collective raw nerve this week when it sent a circular to some Dublin national schools inviting girls as young as 12 for "figure analysis”. While the gym said the invitation was a "one-off", and stressed it was not policy to invite children to its gyms, it raised the question: should children be encouraged to spend their free time happily climbing trees or playing hopscotch on the road, or should they start taking more structured exercise from an early age?

Depression

Students urged to seek help for depression
Irish Examiner (Wed, 17 Sep 2008)
Many students now believe it is common for young people to feel depressed, but few feel confident enough to deal -with someone close who has the condition, new research shows. The study also found that about eight out of 10 students believe there is a social stigma attached to depression and 65% believe that depression is not well understood. The findings coincided with the launch of a new national education campaign to provide support to about one in 13 students in Ireland affected by depression.

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