# Mental Health
All time
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.
Voices
Opinion: 'I tried to take my own life more than once and felt the compassion of staff begin to fade'
On World Suicide Prevention Day our reader details her struggles and experience of the Irish mental health services.
Voices
Living with an eating disorder: The last few months have brought unwelcome challenges
Ciara lives with an eating disorder. She says the health service is not fit for purpose when it comes to these illnesses.
# Schools
No clear start date for new guidance counsellors a 'travesty' for students
The government announced new 120 guidance counsellor posts last month to support students returning to school.
# long-term effects
Mental health impact of pandemic will be with us 'for a long time', experts warn
The Psychological Society of Ireland has said that young people are being badly affected by the pandemic.
# Your Say
Poll: Has the pandemic affected your mental health?
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on many people.
# Back To School
The mental health system is preparing for a 'tsunami' of cases from young people - staff are worried it can't cope
Long waiting lists and a disjointed system have already caused major issues.
Voices
Open Letter from Ireland's psychologists: 'Direct Provision is causing untold psychological harm'
“As a country we must do better,” according to about 150 signatories.
# pandemic
Working from home causes drop in many Irish employees' mental and physical health, survey finds
Alcohol consumption and back and neck problems are also on the rise.
Voices
My food addiction: How group therapy helped me overcome years of bingeing and purging
The following account is written by a member of Addictive Eaters Anonymous, who shares her experience of sobriety from addictive eating.
# Mental Health
ITV boss says broadcaster will not make a show like Jeremy Kyle again
The programme was axed last year after an outcry following the death of guest Steve Dymond.
