System ‘fails to understand mental health problems’
That is according to the author of a new book, Selfhood, which will be launched in Cork today by Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health Kathleen Lynch.
The book is written by Dr Terry Lynch, a psychotherapist and GP living and working in Limerick, who also wrote the bestseller Beyond Prozac in 2001.
Dr Lynch said he feels things are very slowly changing as regards mental health in this country, but pointed to the symbolic importance of the fact that the minister is launching his book. He said the mainstream system has an “ideological blind spot” within the medical approach to mental health problems.
Dr Lynch’s new book is a practical self-help book designed to help people to recover their sense of self, be happier and more fulfilled.
Dr Lynch, who says he has learned from his clients over the years, explains what selfhood means, the components of selfhood, how closely selfhood is linked to emotional and mental wellbeing and how to reclaim one’s sense of self.
In the book, Dr Lynch explains that there is much more to it than low self-esteem and said the book contains many tips and suggested actions, designed to help the individual on their journey towards recovering their sense of self.
“The book is designed, not as a book to be read cover-to-cover once and then shelved, but as a self-help workbook that can be used as an ongoing source of reference,” he said. “Many people have found daily reading for 10 to 15 minutes, and gradually incorporating what they have read into their daily lives to be a good way of using the book.”
At the launch, taking place at 8pm this evening at The Basement Resource Centre on Washington St, Dr Lynch will give a talk about his own journey, from typical GP to recovery-focused mental health service provider and author, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of mental health and mental health problems, and the key significance of the individual’s emotional and mental health experiences and perspective.
He will also discuss concerns regarding the mental illness diagnostic process and the role of medication for mental health problems.
