Please have your say on EU plans for mental health

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Mon Nov 05, 2007 00:38

or perhaps some other professionals have taken view and might have some feed back to people who suffer from Biplas or as amusedly referred to tonight on the Clinic - A high maintenance cause.

I am sad t hear the new of the death of a most progressive in thought Psychiatrist., Dr. Anthony Clare......he explored avenues always in the hope of assisting the patient in their rececover.

64 is too young to die but my own psychiatrist, and such an inspiraton of a man, died also this year in his 50's.......Are we losing too many in this field we must be further in deficit for progressive mental God bless to their souls and thank you from me and my family, who were your clients and who are grateful for your support.

For the men out there - I would search out the Anthony Clare book - Men in Crisis. For thouse of you in interim stage of marital discontent, just take up the book and explore the wisdom with or without your partner.

Michelle Clarke

'Gandhi - You have to be the change you want to see in the world'

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Fri Jan 27, 2006 20:37

Hi Paul. Apologies.

I constantly get confused. It is mainly related to the head injury which impacted on my comprehension. This is a real nuisance and embarrasment. It took me nearly 10 years to understand why I hated phone calls or seeing or doing too much in one day. Psychiatric medications compound the problem. The good point being i don't dare taking alcohol.

I used to compare to my pre-accident attitude and approach to life....The word comprehension is a word we often are glib about. The fact is it makes life really difficult i.e. driving, walking, shops, dressing.......Hence my interest in Neuro psychiatry within the remit of mental health.

Anytime, just let me know if I revert to Pat.....the brain tends to settle with its first name chosen.....something one often finds in an elderly person. I got it at 32.

Good to hear about you looking into organisation.....that used to be my job but now it a chaos function I operate on.

One Point on the Neuro front. We tend to forget all the people who are in car accidents who don't die. They end up in Beaumont or in Rehabilitation. There is an excellent organisation that originated in the UK and is firmly based in Ireland. It is Headway. Their publications are good for all concerned. They hold meetings at central locations.

I picked up a copy in the Local Library of the recent publication 'A Carer and Family Guide - Copy with Head Injury. I highly recommend it.

At present I know of two young men, one in Italy and one in Dublin who remain unconscious.....let us not forget those who sustain head injuries and be more cogniscent of what it entails. Let me add it is beyond sentences given by our Judiciary of 6 weeks or is it months ( I have no relativity or numeracy per consequence ).

Again, all I can say about ill-health is that 'Knowledge is no load' and .listen to the people who have a significant contribution to make i.e. the patients; the carers

At one meeting, there was a father who could not read or write. His teenager son was knocked down and sustained a head injury and radical behaviour change at school. To this day I will remember him standing up to explain why he learnt to read (NALA)......to help his son; to give him a quality of life; and most likely prevent the social consequences that may have caused that boy to go to prison.....

Instead of Quote and I enjoyed your Jungian one......

I am reverting to a few notes I have made about a Fear......not just fear but paralytic Fear.

Agoraphobia: This is the paralysing fear of leaving home. This is unrelenting in the sense of terror it imposes and the secrecy involved. I have to say my Jack Russell gift from an extraordinary friend who gave me time has been a signifricant help to me.

Tension: These words are all muddled together but they actually have a sequence, a process that can in fact be broken. Your body tenses up and this is the indicator that the anxiety is mounting. This produces a nervous tension i.e. a negative coping strategy.

If you recognise the tension....then you can aim a curbing the anxiety. I could not believe my psychiatrist when he would suggest funny films like 'My Cousin Vinny' , 'Moulin Rouge'. But I learnt this wisdom over time and I am grateful to his suggestions and experience. Alcohol is not a good solution here or any prohibitive drugs.

Fear of Fear. This is the plague. My fear is back there in Despair, in hospital.....This is powerful. The anxiety is an emotional response.

If you conceal the fear (and most of us do)often under good humour and laughter, this creates the being afraid situation and fight or flight sets in motion our adrenalin.

We must never forget that this Tension can precipitate an ambiguous breakdown.

To be afraid of fear can take control of one's life. Yes, this is so true, you can start acquiring different phobias, like social anxiety phobias, fear of open spaces, fear of using the phone, there are so many fears that people hide.

The Phobia:
This is the defense against the Anxiety. I madly twiddle my hair to the annoyance of all but it is a strategy to cope with anxiety and the advice of a cogniftive psychologist was to proceed, it could be dealt with at another appropriate time.

Stress:
We all have it but the point worth noting is that the body must be prepared for the stress.

I would highly recommend Liam Neeson's book on Coping with Stress (Collapse of Barings Bank in the UK and his survival)

How many people are using Alcohol, illegal drugs, barbituates, smoking, over-eating to deal with Stress Issues.

I would love to hear someone in the medical profession be honest about the impact of Stress........If you consider the A&E crisis presently, one could isolate figures for alcohol consumption driven by clever consumer advertising, drug addiction, stress problems like thinking a panic attack is a heart attack. Then there are the road accidents. Many people realistically use speed and taking chances to allay stress!!!

Good Night Paul

Stigma and Shame

The words are bandied about about the understanding is not there.....

Erving Goffman:
Quote re. Shame

'Shame becomes a central possibility, arising from the person's perception of one of his attributes as being a defiling thing to possess, and one he can readily seem himself as not possessing'

Now there's a challenge. Shame connotes a deterrent yet it can provide mock courage to engage in what gains attention.......( I am thinking of Limerick gangs/Willie O'Dea putting out the hand.....)

by pat c Thu Jan 26, 2006 20:36

i'm pat not paul ;)

i'll try & track down some of the details you mentioned.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Thu Jan 26, 2006 20:28

I wonder has anyone suggestions as to how to ensure that what is contributed to Indymedia can directed say via Kathy Sinnott MEP. We need some clout.....


Any ideas. We also take account of the year 2006 and the ambitions of a Taoiseach and Prime Minister to make it the year of getting the institutions at stormont up and running.

I am sure there are people in the health departments in the UK, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and down South who will be charged with a responsibility to contribute.




Michelle.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Thu Jan 26, 2006 20:28

I wonder has anyone suggestions as to how to ensure that what is contributed to Indymedia can directed say via Kathy Sinnott MEP. We need some clout.....


Any ideas. We also take account of the year 2006 and the ambitions of a Taoiseach and Prime Minister to make it the year of getting the institutions at stormont up and running.

I am sure there are people in the health departments in the UK, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and down South who will be charged with a responsibility to contribute.




Michelle.

by pat c Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:02

i think we should also remember the European dimension. Kathy Sinnotts article mentioned the consultation process. I have extracted a relevant piece below.

pat

"Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. "
-- C.G. Jung


Contributions in the context of this consultation process should be sent to the Commission by 31 May 2006, on the following ways:

a) by email to address
mental-health@cec.eu.int

or:

b) by post mail to the following address:
European Commission
Directorate-general for Health and Consumer Protection
Unit C/2 “Health Information”
L-2920 Luxembourg

Contributions received will be published on this website, unless requests not to do so have explicitly been made.

In late 2006, the Commission intends to present its analysis of the responses received together with, if appropriate, its proposal and/or initiatives for a strategy on mental health for the EU.
Contributions to the consultation process should be communicated to the Commission.

During the consultation period, a structured process will be organised involving key actors. Participation will be on invitation only.

A conference to launch the Green paper took place in Luxembourg on the 24 October 2005.

The launch conference will be followed by three thematic meetings until end of May 2006:

1) Meeting 1: “Promotion and prevention in mental health” (16-17 January 2006);

2) Meeting 2: “Social inclusion and fundamental rights in mental health” (16-17 March 2006);

3) Meeting 2: “Information, data and knowledge in mental health” (18-19 May 2006).

Information about these meetings will be posted on this website in due time.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Wed Jan 25, 2006 21:46

There may be hope.

Yesterday I heard that a Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy has been published.

This being the case, and given the proposed policy enhancement changes due to be made at European level, I would suggest that people with an interest in community mental health, ought to obtain a copy of this report and make a submission based on their personal views to the European source as per Kathy Sinnott's article. It is is a most informative site on mental health.

The name of the current report is:

A vision for Change.......The backdrop is the butterfly.

It is published by the Stationery oiffice and only costs Euro's 10. It ought to be accessible in schools, libraries, psychiatraric hospitals and people should be encouraged to write in their views and these also ought to become part of the information trail that forms 'Knowledge'

For example, I sustained brain injury that is now complicated by bipolar. This report provides details on this combination and the fact that a Neuropsychiatrist route is now available. In the light of the number of 'criminal' head injuries and thos per consequence of car accidents (3,500 approx) being sustained presently, this expertise is vital going forward......'Knowledge is no load'. Prior to 10 years ago, people who sustained head injuries mainly died, now if you get the chance to live, all one can say is that you have a most unfortunate quality of life, by comparison to before.

Inside: again another view of the butterfly in flight. Apparently the Greek name for a butterfly is 'Psyche'

....There is no illustration of immortality of the soul so striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on brilliant wings from the tomb in which it has lain after a dull grovelling, caterpillar existence, to flutter in the blaze of day and feed on the most fragrant and delicate productions of the spring.

.....Psyche ten, is the human soul, which is purified by the sufferings and misfortunes and is thus prepared for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness'.......

Written by Thomas Bulfinch (1796-1867) 'The Age of Fable'

This captures the despair of the 'Black Dog' to the blossoming of the snowdrop in the early spring. Every person is a human being and society must given them a chance.

Objectives:
Every citizen should have access to local, specialised and comprehensive mental health. Recall that the WHO predict that one in every people will experience a depressive episode in their lives. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the Western World today......we need community involvement.

All of us have ideas. Let's start thinking. Who can support these units and at what level. Let us look to those corporate companies and ensure social and ethical commitment. Their profits are good, their shareholders are pleased but greedy. I want to know that international comapnies like Diageo are funding projects to ensure our yout 'Drink Sensibly'.....and adequately.

Congratulations to the Minister of State, Tim O'Malley, Department of Health and Children who has special responsibility for Mental Health and to Joyce O'Connor, Chairman of the Expert Group on Mental Policy and to all who made such detailed submissions and inputs.

Luckily I live near the Mental Health Commission so today usurping my normal agroraphobia, I desided on the spur of the moment to enter (a little scared). Thank you to the staff who were so friend and welcoming to both me and Jack (My Pet Facility Dog)......I read about them in a US magazine....Dogs are a good way to combat fear and if you can love you can put fear away!!!

Michelle Clarke

Quotation
J. Von Goethe
'Wisdom is only found in Truth'

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Fri Dec 09, 2005 21:19

Michael, I wholly agree with you about the 14 years we spend in education and the lack of 'life skills coping strategies' that are made available.

I thought I would add a little about Aware which is 20 years in existence this year. They engage in a number of areas including psycho-education. The team have done impressive work to breakthrough the stigma associated with mental illness and open up the boundaries by including people and business in fund raising events.

As it happens, this morning I received the Winter issue - Covering page hosts a photo of President Mary McAleese.

The contents indicate the broad spectrum of involvement and forms a good structure to work on .... or at least I think.

It includes: Editorial by Geraldine Clare, book review by John Wills, Teen Times by Karl O'Reilly, Poetry Corner, Crosswood.

Features include: the Aware charity shop, the DAWN report, The President's Speech, Northern Ireland News, Lecture notes for the November meeting - Depression in Childhood and Adolesence, from Trusteeship to Company; Aware 20 National Day. Then there is the News and the news from the regions.

There isw a 24 hour helpline, 7 days per week. www.aware.ie is a site worth accessing.

The DAWN Report......reminds us of the importance of the DAWN campaign...

'The message as always is depression is a very treatable illness, get help, get a correct diagnosis and then most importantly follow the recommended treatmrent plan. Information is power....'

Aware is also involved in the St. Patrick's Hospital Research unit.

President McAleese had some profound words and messages in her article. Often, what is so realistic is hard to grasp. These few words caught my attention.

'Depression is hard to talk about, hard to comprehend and very, very hard to live with. There is nothing comforting in the statistics either. Depression is sadly a growing phenomenon internationally, and here in Ireland the story is as discomforting as anywhere else.'

Further on President McAleese refers to the 'victims of this insidious illness which cuts off so much enjoyment of life and fulfilment in life...' This for me is that dark tunnel....

Aware magazine is sold in certain shops including Easons.....it is worth a read this Christmas. The article about Depression in Childhood is worth reading.

Added into depression, the links of addiction particular alcohol need inclusion.

Michael, I thought this add the 'private market orientation into the whole public health mental component'.


regards


Michelle
Gandhi: 'You have to be the change you want to see'

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Thu Dec 08, 2005 22:16

Maybe just maybe this is a time for Disabilities, Mental Health issues, the need for education as early as possible and the end to stigma and gross ignorance by Politicians in Ireland, a large majority of the medical profession, to employers etc.

Please let us 'Jump the Gun' v. the Gun jump us........ (John Carthy and the Man shot yesterday on board a US flight)

Personally, I have witnessed so much waste in research reports with their scientic profile and funded by the EU and others. Where are these reports? My experience is that the lack of integration and personal inbred jealousies in the academic departments of our leading Universities ensure their vanity, reports of maximum cost and of basically no further use, gathering dust in libraries.

I am bipolar. I also have anxiety and phobias. Then I was on a horse going over a jump and had a double impact to the head. This happened over 12 years ago and I have kept trying to find someone to talk to me, as a person. I have had three excellent cognitive behaviour psychologists over the years and I personally would like to see all people having this vital assistance.

Recently I have broadened my reading base to the science magazines. It is here some of my inspiration is found. You see, the non response of the 'ignorant educated' as I name them no longer makes me feel that the 'actual' problems I have per the neuropsychologist report actually do exist. It is not a confabulation by me to gain sympathy or an excuse .......when it is in fact the ignorance of others who are not willing to say they do not know. If only they had the freedom for this, there might be less denials, less suicides, less addictions.....all of them.

Kathy Sinnott - I have one question.

Our universities take in a percentage people with disabilities each year; some of these may have mental health problems, anxiety problems, Aspergers etc.

I attended Trinity; in fact, with all the way out complications, I was accepted for BESS. I made it to Third Year and in fact had completed some exams for third year. In our sociological group project, we as a team got a High First i.e. 76. (all mature with issues and buckets of life experience)

The irony is three of the five for certain reasons left and never completed the degree.

One of the subjects I did was Mental Health.....nobody hears what we actually say....They have their perception.

I had been encouraged by the Disabilities Department in Trinity (2 years ago now) to seek to broaden the scope for examinations to assist people with disabilities.

I had gained advice from a Professor in Education in Ontario who informed me that the Autobiograpical thesis was popular there and that given my most unusual case history, it would be worth making the proposition.

The outcome, I was sold out.....the exams came and went and I had added another dimension I had chronic fatigue syndrome, in the terms of old pure exchuastion.

My last ditch effort was to complete an 18 page essay on on a psychiatric topic nominated by Trinity. I had weakened so much health wise and being phone phobic of which they were aware, I compiled a file folder to explain that I had no longer any numercy due to the brain damage. The file folder consisted of a large number of articles I had published on Irishhealth.com.

2 years later, there is no response. I think there have been phone calls (I don't remember yesterday) to attend meetings but my argument is that the professors met with my tutor, the psychologist I attended for 5 years and the personal assistant who met with me for an hour each week.

I done mean to bore you but C.S. Lewis has an excellent quotation on bureaucracy. Nowhere, not even the NDA which only is across the road from me, seem to be able to deal with me. I will add that the reports from the NDA are research, expensive and prodigious but the communication aspect frightens me.

Aware have provided great back-up. Before the Chronic Fatigue syndrome I was committed and have annotated most of the months meetings - what they refer to as psycho-education. However, what is excluded here are public services.

My parents were dispensary doctors so I am aware of how capable the public health nurses are.....but once you move professionals, files get lost, complications arise etc.

In 1996, 15 women were selected by the Trinity Horizon Programme for 4 days per week, for 6 months. It was European backed and I recall some of the meetings how englighted the German's, Swedes and others appeared to be viz a viz mental illness.

Has anyone seen Patch Adams and if so; try getting up the site?

I would really value an interaction with the Psychology department in Trinity; the Neuroscience department (the compilation of three research reports and the psychologiests reports completed on me integrated into a plan that includes others and brings illnesses like addiction, mental health problems, head injury problems, eating disorders, back into a circle that could produce a response (from those most directly affected) for the submission due March 2006.

Kathy - can you suggest anything? Surely, Trinity would gain ........

or who ever is prepared to take a chance.

They might in fact gain something. They could find that people have a hidden talent....they may even be part of 'Savant Syndrome'.

To others: This is a must. The Government is not commited to those of use with Mental Health problems......They don't understand in fact there are Afraid. Fear......

Bye Bye

Quote:
'Without knowing who I am, and why I am here, Life is Impossible' (1874-1963)


Michelle Clarke

by W. Finnerty Sat Dec 03, 2005 19:36

What about all of the psychological injury and damage caused by Republic of Ireland and EU politicians and lawyers who appear to be completely ignoring very important sections of Human Rights Law?

As far as I know, and as just one of many shocking examples I could provide, it appears that Minister for Justice Michael McDowell TD (himself a lawyer I understand) is completely ignoring the contents of the letter to him shown at the following address - which involves human rights issues, and which includes a very clear and easy to understand report from a GP:
http://www.constitutionofireland.com/GerardMadden7November2005/Letter.htm

Also, and according to information at the Atlantic Philanthropies address provided below, Ireland is the only country in the European Union not to have incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic legislation:
http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/areas_of_support/human_rights.asp

Is there anybody or any group or organisation in the EU to police Human Rights Law - and if not, why not?

by Michael R. Thu Dec 01, 2005 18:34

Totally agree with you Kathy and I applaud you on your endeavors and I will do my little bit to help.

I very much agree with your closing line:-

"If we all participate, my hope is that the Commission will realize that for people to stay mentally healthy, the need for time, friends, family, beliefs and the love and nurturing that goes with these and that we are squeezing these out with our profit-driven, globalized EU economic strategy."

I would also add to this the element of education. I believe the whole education system needs to be RADICALLY overhauled. The education system is geared once again towards profit and getting a job. All very important (i.e. getting a job) but it is only ONE element in ones life. It is also really only in college where one specializes in the career that they are going to take.

The 14 years education in primary and secondary school is a HUGE opportunity to educate our young on how to deal with LIFE.

We come out of school knowing:-
- the French for dog
- the name of the mountains in Tipperary
- the chemical sign for Helium
etc. etc.

(the scary thing is most of us don’t even know this much!!)

But we are taught stuff like this for endless years and yet we come out of school knowing little of NOTHING about LIFE.

I believe that a huge portion of time should be dedicated to teaching our young about THEMSELVES and about LIFE.

Isn’t it no wonder that people, and especially our young:-
- are blowing their brains out
- that so many people are depressed
- that so many relationships break down
- that so many people are unhappy in general
etc. etc.

The whole education system needs a radical overhaul.