#Mental Health

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#Mental Health

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>St Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire, Co Cork. Throughout the 20th century, Ireland had one of the highest rates of institutionalisation and segregation of people in psychiatric hospitals anywhere in the world. File picture: Dan Linehan</p>

comment-analysis

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

<p>St Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire, Co Cork. Throughout the 20th century, Ireland had one of the highest rates of institutionalisation and segregation of people in psychiatric hospitals anywhere in the world. File picture: Dan Linehan</p>

comment-analysis

Mental health law reforms not sufficient to respect human rights

<p>Friends of the Elderly said that while Christmas should be a time of warmth and connection, thousands of older people will be experiencing the opposite of that this year, including silence, emptiness and long days without a single friendly conversation. File photo</p>

news

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

HSE Owenacurra Centre redevelopment ‘frustratingly slow’ says local TD

munster

HSE Owenacurra Centre redevelopment ‘frustratingly slow’ says local TD

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

news

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

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

spotlight

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

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

‘Irish men must take action' in wake of worrying report about poor health and premature death

‘Irish men must take action' in wake of worrying report about poor health and premature death

National Centre for Men’s Health director also calls on men to look out for each other, saying that men are inclined to listen to their workmates and other peers

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Serious, overworked, very sad male health care worker

Violence against health workers must end

All people have a right to safety in their workplace. When we fail to uphold this right for healthcare workers, we hurt not only them, but also the health of the public they serve, writes Adaeze Oreh

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

77th Primetime Emmy Awards - Press Room

Sarah Harte: Ireland's new counselling services for young men are badly needed

There are young men out there seeking connection in the wrong places, and we have to help them because it’s a problem for us all, writes Sarah Harte

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Multi-lingual mental health service sees clients from 36 countries since opening last year

Multi-lingual mental health service sees clients from 36 countries since opening last year

Much of Safetynet’s other work is concentrated around Dublin

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Medical Marijuana Edibles, Candies Infused with HHC Cannabis in food industry

Ireland's delay in banning HHC may have boosted demand

Teenagers in Ireland have become ill and had to be hospitalised due to vaping the semi-synthetic cannabinoid

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Little 7 years schoolboy going to school.

Suspensions ‘crisis’ at flagship special school in Cork

One parent says Carrigaline Community Special School — for children from 4 to 18 with a dual diagnosis of autism and intellectual disability — handed out suspensions 'like confetti'

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Mental health stock

Mental health charities call for extra €200m in budget to meet increasing demand

Mental Health Reform says demand for children's mental health services continues to surge

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Crisis cafés reduce emergency department pressure in mental health cases, study finds

Crisis cafés reduce emergency department pressure in mental health cases, study finds

Crisis cafés in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford provide safe, supportive alternatives to A&E for people in mental health crises

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Mother and son looking out of window

Systemic barriers are keeping families in poverty, summit hears

Group representing single-parent families tells Child Poverty and Well-being Summit we need the political will to address child poverty and deprivation

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

sad lonely depression mood woman silhouette touch glass windows rainy dark day outside

A&E can be 'dehumanising' for people in suicide crisis

A major consultation finds Ireland’s suicide prevention services are failing, with EDs called retraumatising and calls for 24/7 crisis centres

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

‘Completely shut down’: Woman shares how family secrecy around suicide shaped her life

‘Completely shut down’: Woman shares how family secrecy around suicide shaped her life

From hidden family secrets to intergenerational trauma, Irish families share painful stories of suicide — and how healing begins with truth

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

travel background

As three in five under-25s consider leaving the country, we must act to help young people

Young people's needs are continually neglected even though they are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis, writes Kathryn Walsh

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Graham Linehan court case

Sarah Harte: Graham Linehan's part in toxic debate puts freedom of speech limits into focus

'I have ideologically flip-flopped more times on how extensive freedom of speech should be than I have changed the treat I chomp at the end of a working day'

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Donabate missing boy

S Fergus Finlay: Ireland’s child protection failures go beyond Tusla — the real issue is political will

Ireland has one social worker per 3,000 people, yet we scapegoat Tusla instead of fixing systemic failures in child protection

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Merchants Quay Ireland1

Charity reports surge in demand for its homeless, addiction, and mental health services

Merchants Quay Ireland reports a 23% rise in the number of meals it provides for people who are homeless, while drug referrals in its Cavan-Monaghan service rose more than 50%

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Man who struggled with suicidal thoughts calls for end to stigma around mental health

Man who struggled with suicidal thoughts calls for end to stigma around mental health

Anthony O’Reardon called on managers and colleagues to accept stress as a reason for taking time off work

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Woman looking at houses and flats in the window of an estate agent in London, UK

S Mick Clifford: No country for young people if housing crisis is not fixed

Today’s school leavers should be better equipped that those who went before to go out in the world and make the most if it. However, inequality is draining hope

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Ireland Women's Rugby Squad Training

Irish Examiner view: Success that depends on the 'big girls going well'

Moving women’s rugby more into the mainstream is something everyone can support

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

North Cork rural charity sets up mental health support project to combat isolation

North Cork rural charity sets up mental health support project to combat isolation

Closures of rural pubs and changing agricultural practices leaving people feeling socially isolated, according to rural charitable development company IRD Duhallow

Thu, 21 Aug, 2025

Girl covering her eyes with her hands

Corporal punishment carries 'multiple risks' to children’s health, says WHO

An estimated 1.2 billion children are subject to this ‘harmful practice’ each year, affecting physical and mental wellbeing, World Health Organization report finds

Thu, 21 Aug, 2025

People visiting Cork mental health cafe 'often coming from trauma or bereavement'

People visiting Cork mental health cafe 'often coming from trauma or bereavement'

Solace Cafe, located in Cork city centre, offers out-of-hours support with peer support from volunteers tending to have lived experience of mental distress, says one service user

Sat, 16 Aug, 2025

Work finally begins on replacement for Owenacurra mental health centre in East Cork

Work finally begins on replacement for Owenacurra mental health centre in East Cork

Local TD and campaigner says it has been an 'epic struggle' after demolition work in Midleton finally began on August 5

Sun, 10 Aug, 2025