#Mental Health

Sign in

#Mental Health

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>A key issue raised was 'disruptions' in continuity of care, including frequent staff changes, and the impact on children.</p>

news

Current Camhs system 'isn't fit for purpose' for neurodivergent users, say parents

Families for Reform of Camhs welcomed the research, stating that the findings 'ring true' for many of its members who have loved ones in the service

<p>The report said communication difficulties and breakdowns in trust between caregivers and Camhs professionals often left families 'feeling marginalised, blamed, and fearful of speaking up'. File photo</p>

comment-analysis

Sustained investment and 'cultural shift' needed in Camhs

<p>‘Streaming brought a sense of continuity. It brought a sense of an identity, being part of a team.’</p>

news

Dividing young GAA players by ability can be ‘very beneficial’

Gareth O'Callaghan.png

Gareth O'Callaghan: Why solitude still matters in an always-connected Ireland

Winning an online bet on a football game

spotlight

‘In a cost-of-living crisis, some turn to gambling to make ends meet’

Sarah Harte Writer head shot.png

Sarah Harte: Feeling more content in 2026 can start with looking beyond yourself

Men in a Support Group

Reflecting on Ireland's mental health revolution

As we prepare for the new year, it’s time to reflect on the quiet mental health revolution taking place in Ireland

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

‘Five years is nothing’: Parents explain why Christmas grief after baby loss never fades

‘Five years is nothing’: Parents explain why Christmas grief after baby loss never fades

Bereaved parents share why Christmas grief never fades and how small, thoughtful gestures can offer real comfort

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Visiting his Elderly Relative

John Lonergan: How older people can keep their spirits up this winter

Age Friendly ambassador John Lonergan offers practical tips for older people — and their friends and neighbours too — to mind their wellbeing through the long dark months

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Cork man found guilty of manslaughter of elderly patient by reason of diminished responsibility

Cork man found guilty of manslaughter of elderly patient by reason of diminished responsibility

The defence told the jury: 'Effectively, the issue is about mental disorder and the impact it had on what occurred.'

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025

Closeup image of a man and a woman clinking white coffee mugs in cafe

‘A lifeline for those who need it’: Limerick late-night cafe to offer free mental health services

In its pilot phase, Solace Café is open 6pm to midnight, from Thursday to Sunday

Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

'Partners should be involved in mental health treatment' say parents whose spouses killed their children

'Partners should be involved in mental health treatment' say parents whose spouses killed their children

Una Butler and Andrew McGinley whose spouses killed their children say this single measure would save lives

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Drugs Illustration

Ecstasy alert: HSE warns drug users about high-dose MDMA

One pill doesn’t mean one dose: HSE advises of the risk from ecstasy pills containing as much as 300mg of MDMA — 'the highest [dosage] we've ever seen in Ireland'

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Man jailed for threatening to 'slit the throat' of consultant at Cork mental health unit

Man jailed for threatening to 'slit the throat' of consultant at Cork mental health unit

The court heard the defendant was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity and was keen to put these matters behind him and put his time in prison to good use

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Police fire Taser guns more frequently

Gardaí had to taser 'very, very troubled' Cork man who was self-harming, court told

The young man had breached his bail conditions by carrying a knife and taking intoxicants

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

HSE to ditch plans for residential mental health facility at isolated Cork hospital

HSE to ditch plans for residential mental health facility at isolated Cork hospital

The planned 50-bed unit had been criticised by some mental health advocates locally given its remote location

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Gareth O'Callaghan: ECT is unsafe, say campaigners. So why is it still used in Irish hospitals?

S Gareth O'Callaghan: ECT is unsafe, say campaigners. So why is it still used in Irish hospitals?

New legislation may ban ECT for under-18s, but wider concerns over safety, memory loss and ethics remain unresolved in Ireland

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Where you live should not determine how long you wait for Camhs services, says minister

Where you live should not determine how long you wait for Camhs services, says minister

Health minister said she is 'changing the financing of the HSE this year specifically to try to address regional inequity'

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Middle aged asia people old mom holding hands trust comfort help young woman talk crying stress relief at home. Mum as friend lo

State is ‘utterly failing vulnerable children’ on Camhs wait lists

New HSE data shows Cork and Kerry account for over half of all year-long Camhs waits as TDs demand urgent action

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Autism class shortages: Families say NCSE vacancy claims don’t match reality on the ground

Autism class shortages: Families say NCSE vacancy claims don’t match reality on the ground

Parents, SNAs and principals say official claims of special class vacancies ignore the daily reality of rejection, shortages and unmet needs

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

G20 Summit

Taoiseach rules out 'knee-jerk' reaction of social media ban for children

Micheál Martin said the Government will adopt 'an informed and evidence-based approach' to control the impact of social media on young people

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Course supported by Cillian Murphy to teach young people empathy

Course supported by Cillian Murphy to teach young people empathy

The module features interactive lessons and real-world scenarios intended to strengthen students’ empathy skills and social understanding

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Cahirmee horse fair

Mental health law reforms not sufficient to respect human rights

We have to seize the opportunity for real reform with the long-awaited Mental Health Bill. However, many of the rights-based reforms originally envisaged have been weakened or omitted, writes Dr Charles O’Mahony, associate professor in law at the School of Law, University of Galway

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Cahirmee horse fair

Mental health law reforms not sufficient to respect human rights

We have to seize the opportunity for real reform with the long-awaited Mental Health Bill. However, many of the rights-based reforms originally envisaged have been weakened or omitted, writes Dr Charles O’Mahony, associate professor in law at the School of Law, University of Galway

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Senior man feeling pain at home

Charity seeing more elderly people 'reaching out to us in deep loneliness'

Friends of the Elderly is urging the public to support older people this Christmas

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

HSE Owenacurra Centre redevelopment ‘frustratingly slow’ says local TD

HSE Owenacurra Centre redevelopment ‘frustratingly slow’ says local TD

Work is expected to begin a year after the original projected completion date after 'sustained pressure on the HSE'

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

Men’s Aid received more than 2,000 new contacts last year

Men’s Aid received more than 2,000 new contacts last year

Heartbroken daughter will speak today about the abuse her father suffered from his partner before he was killed

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

'I hope I can get the surgery I need. I don’t want to lose my leg'

'I hope I can get the surgery I need. I don’t want to lose my leg'

Meath woman Sarah Costello's injuries resulted from a procedure she underwent in Northern Ireland through the NTPF and she says she has since received inadequate care back home

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Mother says Camino walk had life-changing impact on her after daughter’s suicide

Mother says Camino walk had life-changing impact on her after daughter’s suicide

Week-long pilgrimage in Spain gave Tracey Monaghan the opportunity to talk about her daughter and remember her openly

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Using mobile phone

Irish Examiner view: One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do

We must do more to get young people out of their rooms and connected to various activities and social groups

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

'Experts' must stay in their lane

'Experts' must stay in their lane

From Gabor Maté to Dr Oz to the Happy Pear, we are seeing experts in one area straying onto subjects they know nothing about — the impact could be huge, writes Hazel Katherine Larkin

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Senator asks if SpunOut view on loneliness has 'a dimension of snowflake syndrome'

Senator asks if SpunOut view on loneliness has 'a dimension of snowflake syndrome'

Former Waterford mayor Joe Conway said SpunOut statement is 'an immensely depressing handle to throw on the youth of Ireland'

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Man 'diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia' admits manslaughter of his grandmother in Cork

Man 'diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia' admits manslaughter of his grandmother in Cork

Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told the accused had been 'particularly attached to his granny'

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Parents take children to school. Crowd of happy students walk with family. Mother, father and kids with bags go back to school v

Special education: Number of early intervention classes falls in some counties

New data shows that 18 counties have either seen a reduction or no increase in the number of such classes since 2023

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

We are jailing people with intellectual disabilities instead of helping them

We are jailing people with intellectual disabilities instead of helping them

Ireland has formally committed to protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities, but is failing, especially for those who are in prison

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

6 health risks of too much gaming for your child

Health experts highlight gambling's 'disturbing focus' on underage players in gaming

Writing in the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, the experts say there is a 'pressing need' for gambling laws to be adapted to counter this trend, as the new Irish gambling authority focuses on traditional gambling

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

More children waiting for mental health services in Cork and Kerry than any other region

More children waiting for mental health services in Cork and Kerry than any other region

There are 332 children in Cork and Kerry waiting more than 52 weeks for a Camhs appointment, among 712 children waiting this long nationally

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

‘It’s not all doom and gloom’: End-of-life doulas support people near death

‘It’s not all doom and gloom’: End-of-life doulas support people near death

End-of-life doulas find themselves providing anything from practical help to emotional support

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Mental health survey

Gareth O'Callaghan: Suicide leaves behind so many unanswered questions for loved ones

Suicide is not a natural end to a life well lived, and it leaves a mark on everyone who encounters it

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Depressed woman talking to her pchychologist closeup

S Mild, moderate, or severe? Proposed regulations for therapists proving explosive

The last decade has seen an explosion in the number of people seeking out a talking therapy — but new regulations separating counsellors from psychotherapists could present problems for both professional and patient.

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

File Photo The Health Service Executive has said it is working to establish how many patients may need to have their medical tes

'Big concern' over funding for mental health patient services

Consultants fear lack of protected funding under new regional care structure could harm service delivery

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

High school students at school, wearing N95 Face masks.

Almost half of teachers identify students suffering an eating disorder

Findings come as educational resource aimed at improving body image is launched

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Irish Prison Service to spend over €440,000 to research mental health needs of inmates

Irish Prison Service to spend over €440,000 to research mental health needs of inmates

Research to inform clinical practice in prisons and support of prisoners going back into the community

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Terry Prone: Like others with dementia, Bruce Willis is being robbed of his dignity and privacy

S Terry Prone: Like others with dementia, Bruce Willis is being robbed of his dignity and privacy

Fame does not protect us from the reality that the person with dementia is the loser. Once diagnosed, they lose all of their rights, starting with the right to privacy

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Couple counseling or therapy session. Man talking about problems in the family. Husband and wife meeting their psychiatrist.

New therapy regulations 'will not ensure public safety'

Row between psychotherapy sector and regulator Coru escalates as IACP warns that new standards could put patients at risk

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Official Opening of the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane

Budget 2026: Minister seeks funds for psychiatric ICU in Central Mental Hospital

Opening could 'significantly reduce' the lengthy waiting times for severely ill prisoners

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

An anxious adult man reading bad news on his phone while sitting on a couch

Gareth O'Callaghan: Auden's 'age of anxiety' has never been more relevant

When it comes to social media, safety and freedom are poles apart, writes Gareth O'Callaghan

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025

Migration and staffing among issues hampering Tusla’s work, PAC to hear

Migration and staffing among issues hampering Tusla’s work, PAC to hear

Tusla has been under increased fire in recent months over alleged gaps in its engagement with the families of vulnerable children such as Daniel Aruebose

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Meta Connect

AI seriously endangers children's mental health

AI is in every aspect of our lives now, and regulation is not keeping up - children are at huge risk, writes Alex Cooney, Chief Executive of CyberSafeKids

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Victim of attempted murder seeks to have law changed around 'unique and complex' case

Victim of attempted murder seeks to have law changed around 'unique and complex' case

Fionnuala Bourke, who was stabbed nine times in a random attack by a stranger, is angry that her attacker has been deemed to have served her 10-year sentence – even though she has not spent any of it in prison

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025