News from: media

April 3, 2009

Headline News Highlights (27th March- 3rd April 2009)

Mental Health

Prayer proves a blessing for 'happy and healthy' lives
Irish Independent (Fri, 3 April 2009)
People who pray and go to church are happier and healthier than people not practising religion, a report by a leading psychiatrist claims today. Professor Patricia Casey said a series of international studies and research has gathered evidence that faith could ease depression, help people live longer and prevent suicide. "The studies don't prove that the claims of the various religions are true or that God exists " Prof Casey said. "What they do show is that practising a given religion tends to have numerous personal benefits. "When religion is practised by enough people this will have obvious benefits for society as well."

Downturn 'leads to surge in bullying'
Irish Times (Wed, 1 April 2009)
The economic downturn has led to a surge in bullying in the home that affects at least one in six households, according to a mental health expert.
Shortage of money and fear of unemployment is causing  tension in many families, leading to increased levels of bullying,  Dr Tony Byrne, a Holy Ghost father and co-founder of the Awareness Education Office, said yesterday.

Mental health lessons can reduce prejudice
Irish Medical Times (Tue, 30 March 2009)
Teaching school children about common mental health problems can reduce prejudice and negative attitudes towards mental illness.
ith mental health problems. The teenagers also used less negative language to describe such problems.

School bullying of gay people causes mental health problems
Irish Examiner (Thu, 2 April 2009)
Homophobic bullying at school is the key factor in later mental health problems among the gay community the Oireachtas sub-commit- tee on the high levels of suicide heard yesterday. Representatives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual .and Transgender (LGBT) lobby groups presented the findings of a report based on an online survey of 1,110 people and 40 in-depth face-to-face interviews. The- report shows that 80.% of respondents say they have been verbally abused, while 40% say they have been punched, kicked or beaten.

Mental Health Service

Probe completed - 3 years after patient's death
Irish Examiner (Thu, 2 April 2009)
An independent investigation into the death of a 75-year-old patient at a north Cork hospital has Anally been completed — nearly three years after the tragedy. Hannah Comber, a diagnosed schizophrenic, died in June 2006 at Heatherside Hospital, near Doneraile, after being choked by a restraining belt. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has promised to publish a report on the circumstances surrounding her death "in the interests of her family, public confidence in their services, as well as openness and transparency".

Major gaps still exist in psychiatric teen services
Irish Times (Tue, 31 March 2009)
Major gaps still exist in psychiatric services for teenagers, even though adolescents are under a lot more pressure nowadays, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist has claimed.
Dr Sarah Buckley, who is heading up a range of new services for teenagers being opened by St Patrick’s Hospital, claimed there were waiting lists of up to two years to be seen in some clinics – even though research had shown that early intervention was crucial.

Broken bones among litany of failures at State hospital
Irish Independent (Mon, 30 March 2009)
A shocking inquiry into a State psychiatric hospital was sparked by the "strong possibility" of non-acciden- tal fractures being inflicted on patients, it emerged last night. The report highlights the "bleak" plight of patients, including the use of seclusion and the locking of wards, and stems from injuries tp patients that often went unrecorded. The Irish Independent has seen a confidential draft of the report by the Mental Health Commission. The Government will tomorrow discuss the report into St Luke's Hospital in Clonmel, which includes the St Michael's acute unit.

New mental health services for teens
Irish Health  (Mon, 30 March 2009)
A new community based centre for teenagers with mental health problems and the development of a dedicated inpatient unit look set to provide a major boost to mental health services for adolescents in Ireland. According to St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin, its first community based adolescent services centre will provide community supports to young people from April onwards. Meanwhile its new inpatient unit for teenagers, which is currently under construction, is due to open later this year.

Suicide Prevention

Celtic Tiger executives at risk of depression and suicide
Irish Independent (Fri, 3 April 2009
High Flying Celtic Tiger executives who fall on bard times are more likely to suffer depression because their self-worth is closely linked to career success, a conference was told yesterday. Unemployed people are also six times more likely to suffer from a psychiatric disorder which may trigger future suicide attempts. The suicide bereavement group Console has noted "some high-profile suicides In this country as a result of the economic pressures".

Self Harm

Huge increase in children treated for self-harming
Sunday Independent (Tue, 30 April 2009)
More than 170 children and teenagers were treated at Temple Street Children's hospital last year for deliberate self- harm, the Sunday Independent has learned. The shocking figures represent a 40 per cent increase on the previous year, according to Professor Carol Fitzpatrick. The increase in self-harm admissions to the accident and emergency department among children and teenagers comes as a helpline reports that more and more young people are deeply worried by the recession and its impact of job losses on their parents and families.

Helping an anxious generation
Irish Times (Sat, 28 March 2009)
New research shows that many teens with mental health problems feel they have no one to turn to. But one group is trying to change that, writes CARL O'BRIEN , Social Affairs Correspondent

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