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Sunday 28 May 2023 Dublin: 14°C

# Mental Health

All time
Voices
International Women’s Day: Minding the mental health of women in the face of this pandemic
Therapist Bernie Hackett celebrates women on IWD and reminds them that help is available.
# global drug survey
Report finds people use psychedelic drugs to self-medicate for depression, anxiety and trauma
While there is some positive research about their use as treatments, experts say this should always be done under the supervision of a professional.
Voices
'More and more students are coping with anxiety through either restricting their eating or binge eating'
Dr Aoife O’Sullivan, a GP treating UCC students, writes about the impact of the pandemic on her patients.
# pandemic impact
People with eating disorders presenting more unwell since pandemic
Rises in acute presentations and significant increases in referrals to specialist teams also reported.
# Mental Health
More than 8,500 young people on waiting list for primary care psychological services, Dáil hears
Minister Mary Butler told the Dáil today she was “especially concerned about the rise in eating disorders among girls and young women”.
# Covid-19
What are the wider implications of Covid-19 on our overlooked health services?
In your monthly update from Noteworthy, the investigative team looks at how the pandemic is shining a light on long-term deficiencies in our health system.
# Your Say
Poll: Are you spending less time on social media?
Some people are taking a social media break amid the pandemic.
Voices
Opinion: This Covid lockdown is particularly hard, so it's important to mind your mental health
Therapist Bernie Hackett says this lockdown, coupled with dark January days can take its toll, but she has some helpful advice for self-care.
# Eating Disorders
There's been a 66% increase in eating disorder hospital admissions during pandemic in Ireland
That’s according to an article published in this month’s Irish Medical Journal.
# Funding Failure
Extra funding promised for eating disorder services last year was spent elsewhere
Since 2018, just over 3% of money allocated to improve supports and treatment was actually spent on this by HSE.
Voices
Emergency departments ‘ground zero’ for a stretched mental health system
Psychiatrist Anne Doherty on how increased demand during Covid-19 has left already stretched services ‘drowning under the additional pressure’.
# mental health matters
'It was nearly a full-time job trying to mask what was going on behind the scenes'
Cavan’s Rónán Patterson launched ‘Need To Talk?’ to raise awareness about mental health after his own struggles.
# Mental Health
Mind yourself this Christmas: How to care for your mental health during the festive period
It’s no surprise that many people find the festive period to be a tough time.
Voices
Opinion: Staying well at Christmas - some tips from a therapist to help you mind yourself
Therapist Liz O’Driscoll says it’s important to remember that Christmas is only a couple of days and that we shouldn’t put too much pressure on ourselves.
# Mental Health
Over 1,700 people restrained or secluded in mental health services in Ireland last year
“The fact that we are still using handcuffs to restrain people sends out all the wrong messages,” according to the Mental Health Commission.
# sjog
'It can only get worse': Anger over lack of progress in transfer of services from St John of Gods to HSE
Parents said they feel “stuck in the middle” between the two organisations.
# Little mix
Jesy Nelson leaves Little Mix and says being in band 'really took a toll' on her mental health
Little Mix rose to fame after winning the eighth season of The X Factor in 2011.
# Alarming
Elderly mental health services 'seriously under-resourced' and need 'urgent improvement', report warns
Older people are facing a mental health “perfect storm” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
# Mental Health
Fear and anxiety about Covid-19 is ‘overwhelming’ among the public
An Oireachtas committee has heard that fear of infection has heightened anxiety among doctors’ patients.
Voices
Opinion: What is crisis fatigue and have we reached that point?
Dr Philip Kieran addresses the issue of crisis fatigue and offers some helpful ways to counteract it.
# mental health matters
'It's really important for others to see players as people with problems, and not just players'
Tipperary dual star Roisin Howard discusses the WGPA column she penned ahead of today’s All-Ireland camogie semi-final.
# Prisons
Report details case of mentally ill inmate found lying naked on floor of cell
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture has published a report on Irish prisons today.
# Turn2Me
New online mental health service launched for frontline workers
The new tool for frontline workers is an instant chat service.
# Doctors
'Significant concerns' about mental health impact of Covid-19 on practitioners, non-profit says
The Practitioner Health Matters Programme today released its annual report for 2019.
Voices
Stella O'Malley: Young people have suffered so much this year - they need our support
Psychotherapist Stella O’Malley documents the impact Covid-19 has had on the mental health of young people and says the long-term picture is worrying.
# Mental Health
'I didn't want to see the light of day' - Tennis star Kyrgios opens up on depression battle
The Australian says he found it tough spending so long away from his home and family.
# Merchants Quay
'Twice I woke up and a person was dead beside me'
Over 11,600 people who are homeless or in addiction were helped by Merchants Quay Ireland in 2019.
Voices
Dr Mark Murphy: 'GPs are seeing the mental health impact of Covid-19 on their patients'
We must move on from saying ‘we need to do more’ and outline practical solutions to mitigate the secondary impact of the pandemic, writes Dublin-based GP Mark Murphy.
# Mental Health
Christmas crafts, nursing home concerts and virtual 5km runs all part of Keep Well campaign
Taoiseach Michéal Martin launched the campaign today.
# Mental Health
Concerns raised for survivors 'torn apart' by 'omnishambles' of mother and baby home legislation
An adoption rights group said recent debates “have caused huge distress, with severe implications for people’s mental health”.
# INspections
Sensitive patient records were left exposed on wards at mental health facility in Dublin, report finds
Two residents’ clinical files were left on the nurses’ station unattended and a filing cabinet was left unlocked.
# factfind
FactFind: Were self-harm and suicide statistics measured during the pandemic?
A TD said on RTÉ Radio One at the weekend: “We have stopped measuring suicide and self-harm in this country.”
Voices
Opinion: We must mind our mental health as Level 5 brings a forced introspection
Author and advocate Cathal O’Reilly has struggled with his own mental health in the past. He shares his thoughts on Level 5 and how to handle it.
# Coronavirus
Covid-19 pandemic causing major disruptions to critical mental health services, WHO finds
The HSE’s winter plan has been criticised for not allocating enough funding towards mental health.
# green party convention
Budget must show 'renewed commitment to mental health', says Hourigan
The Green Party is holding its convention online this weekend.
# Mental Health
'People are devastated': St John of God to hand over services to HSE due to 'underfunding crisis'
SJOG currently provides intellectual disability and mental health services to over 8,000 people.
# Misinformation
'I've never felt so low in my life': Jedward speak about impact of pandemic on mental health
The twins also hit out at conspiracy theorists and people who refuse to wear face masks.
# Your Say
Poll: Has your mental health been affected since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic?
Many people have been affected by job losses, isolation and a lack of social interaction in recent months.
# Jigsaw
Anxiety and psychological distress: 50% increase in demand for youth mental health services last month
This surge in requests for help is the latest in the mental health crisis caused by restrictions and the Covid-19 pandemic.
# Mental Health
Calls for use of 149-year-old 'lunatic' legislation in cases involving Wards of Court to end
14 NGOs have asked the government to commence the 2015 Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.