News from: media

April 1, 2011

Headline News Highlights (25th March-1st April 2011)

Mental Health Service

IMPROVING IRELAND'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Health Matters (Thursday, 31 March 2011)
Over 130 people attended a halt-day information seminar in Dublin Castle, hosted by the HSE in partnership with the Department of Health and Children and the National Service Users Executive to report on progress towards realising A Vision for Change, Ireland's mental health policy.

THE ART OF THE MIND
Health Matters (Thursday, 31 March 2011)
Brent Pope opened an art gallery in Dublin's docklands last November to encourage people with mental health issues to display their work. The gallery is currently showing art that was created by clients attending the acute unit in Tallaght Hospital.

Older mental health clients to return to revamped unit
Irish Examiner (Thursday, 31 March 2011)
At St. Ita’s, Portrane, older people with mental health problems who have been moved out of a 19th-century building deemed unfit for purpose by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) will move back again once a unit has been refurbished. St Ita's hospital at Portrane in Dublin was ordered to close last year after the (MHC) consistently found it was in extremely poor condition.

Shortage of nurses forces psychiatric day care centre to close
Irish Examiner (Thursday, 31 March 2011)
A DAY care centre in Limerick which caters for 18 psychiatric patients has been closed for the past week due to a shortage of nurses. Two unions, the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) and SIPTU, say staffing shortages have resulted in a crisis in Limerick's psychiatric services. Up to 70 nurses, it was claimed, left the service over the past three years and have not been replaced due to a moratorium on recruitment.

Advocacy service for people with disabilities launched
Irish Examiner (Thursday, 31 March 2011)
A new national advocacy service for people with disabilities is giving a voice to vulnerable people with disabilities. The service, launched yesterday by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Button, is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board. Ms Burton said it was particularly important that an independent person was available to people with dis- abilities in situations where they were totally dependent on a single service provider.

Mental Ill Health

Finn to offer 'high-risk' life cover
Irish Independent (Fri, 1 April 2011)
People who are unable to get life insurance because they have an existing condition such as heart disease or obesity have been given a new option. A new company has emerged that is prepared to take on "high risk" customers, it has been learned. Specialist high-risk insurance company Pulse, which is a Lloyd's coverholder, has begun to offer cover of up to €2.2m, according to John Geraghty of LABrokers.ie.

Doctors warn teens of 'Facebook depression'
Irish Examiner (Tuesday, 29 March 2011)
Troubled teenagers should not use social networking sites as it could lead to them developing depression, doctors nave warned. According to a group from the American Academy of Paediatrics, "Face- book depression" refers to a condition that may affect troubled teens who obsess over the online site. According to Boston-based paediatrician and social media expert Dr Gwenn O'Keeffe, there are unique aspects of Facebook in particular that can make it a tough social landscape to navigate for young people already dealing with poor self-esteem.

Suicide Prevention

40,000 to campaign against homophobic bullying
Irish Examiner (Fri, 1 April 2011)
Up to 40,000 teenagers are expected to take part in a nation- wide campaign next week aimed at stamping out homophobic bullying at school and persuading the Government to address the problem with urgency.

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