Legal Drugs?

Just because it is Legal DOES NOT mean it is safe.

Keep yourself informed....check out the Drugs.ie website for information on these very dangerous legal highs.

http://www.drugs.ie/legal_and_illegal_highs/

2011 Jigsaw Galway Cycle

The 2011 Jigsaw Galway Cycle takes place on Saturday, 24th September. This fun event is aimed at bringing communities together so why not get your friends, family or work colleagues involved and take part?

This year we have three options to choose from - a fun 30km, a slightly longer 45km and for the more serious cyclist a challenging 100km which passes through the beautiful scenery of Connemara.

The venue is yet to be confirmed.

Why take part?

Now more than ever we need the support of the community. By taking part in this fun event, you will be helping to:

•    Highlight the importance of youth mental health and wellbeing, and

•    Raise essential funds for the services that Jigsaw Galway provides

We encourage you to raise €40 to participate in the cycle. Funds raised through the cycle will go directly towards Jigsaw Galway's provision of mental health and wellbeing services for young people in Galway city and county.

You can fundraise online through  www.mycharity.ie/charity/jigsawgalway or contact Jigsaw Galway on (091) 549 252 to order a fundraising pack.

For more details and to register please visit  www.jigsaw.ie/cycle     

Volunteer in Ireland

2011 has been designated the European Year of Volunteering both to celebrate the work of volunteers across Europe and to encourage those who do not currently volunteer, to get involved so they too can make a difference.


http://www.volunteer.ie/

Helping You Get Through Tough Times

ReachOut.com is a service dedicated to taking the mystery out of mental health. We aim to provide quality assured mental health information and inspiring real life stories by young people to help other young people get through tough times. ReachOut.com also provides information about other services that can help people deal with mental health problems.

http://ie.reachout.com/

ReachOut.com is run by the Inspire Ireland Foundation which is a not for profit, non government registered charity.

A Testimonal From A Survivor

I attempted suicide a few months ago.  I was in a dark place, very depressed and had no sense of hope.  But, by the time I had fully made my mind up to do it, I was actually in a good mood; I was excited and relieved that now all the pain was going to end.

I wasn’t sure what would happen to my soul.  In the end, I took a gamble because even if there was a Hell, it couldn’t possibly be worse then how I was feeling anyway.  Plus, I was so angry with life and had such apathy that I couldn’t be bothered even to think long-term.  I just wanted to die.  I hated God, yet I was still praying, so I must have still believed in him.

My attempt didn’t work and suddenly everything was even worse.  I had been found and so now I had to deal with not only the fact that I was still alive, but also the stigma, I could see on the doctor’s faces and the anger within my family.

Now I was really angry with God.  I couldn’t believe that he had messed up my plan.  Could he not just let me die?  After all I had been through, could he not just let me go?  It’s not as if I was much use to anyone anyway.  Well, I was use to one person, the person who saved me, the person God wanted me to raise well and be a good parent to.  And I’m glad by the grace of God, this person did save me: my child.

In these few months I have come to firmly believe that suicide is instigated by the devil.  God wants us to live; Satan wants us to die.  God wants hope; Satan wants despair.  God wants us to love ourselves; Satan wants us to think we’re worthless.

I was one of the lucky ones.  I was rescued, now whenever I feel bad thoughts creeping in, I tell myself I am loved, I am valuable, my life is sacred and God wants me to live life to the full.

My advice to a suicidal person is to pray to God for faith and hope.  He won’t let you down. If you turn to him, he will be standing right beside you.  I know its dark, I know it’s bleak, and I know it can seem completely pointless.  But there is a point: your life.  You have one life and it is precious.

God has given us soldiers in the Samaritans; they don’t get paid, they don’t give advice, they don’t judge and they don’t criticize.  They simple listen. Day or Night, they are there.  They are there for YOU.  Their number is 1850 609090.  God wants you to pick up the phone.

God Bless.

Outreach Support to the Suicide Bereaved





Living Links

http://www.livinglinks.ie/suicide-outreach.htm

Living Links providing assertive outreach support to the suicide bereaved.

The first Living Links group was set up in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary in May 2002, when a small group of local people got together in direct response to a suicide in the community. The event was tragic and cataclysmic for the people and there was a huge sense of inadequacy on the ground as to how to provide appropriate community support and a consequent sense of failure as a community.

Living Links objectives are:

• To provide support and outreach to those bereaved by suicide
• To increase awareness and understanding of suicide and its effects on individuals, families and communities
• To liaise and exchange information with similar support groups nationally and internationally
• To support and encourage relevant research
• To produce leaflets and associated literature to be provided to survivors
• To liaise and provide families information on health services available in the region, and the referral pathways to such services should such professional counselling be required
• To provide and facilitate a group healing programme, on a needs basis, for the suicide bereaved
• To encourage the suicide bereaved and/or suicide affected to establish and foster an ongoing support group among themselves.

Two in five people in Ireland would not want to know if a loved one was experiencing depression...

...according to findings in the 2011 Lundbeck Mental Health Barometer. Despite this, 93% of respondents agree that it is important that depression is discussed openly. However, when asked if they would find it difficult to discuss depression with their doctor 70% agreed. 

The Barometer provides insights into Irish people's attitudes towards mental health. This year's research has illustrated that while people have become more aware of depression, they still do not have a clear understanding of what it is, and those who do experience it are reluctant to speak to a healthcare professional about it. 

The research findings indicate that depression has become more visible over the past six years. In 2006 18% of those who personally had depression, or who had a family member with depression, said that many or some people would have been aware. This year that number has grown to 53% which may illustrate a greater degree of awareness around the condition. 

Stigma continues to be an underlying issue with 60% of respondents saying that they consider depression to be stigmatising. Statistics in the research also revealed that almost a quarter (23%) of people believe that depression is not an illness but a "state of mind". These findings indicate that while awareness of depression has grown, there is still a degree of ignorance around the condition. 

Dr Harry Barry, a Louth based GP, said, "It is worrying that 42% of people wouldn't want their friend or family member to discuss their depression with them. Sometimes people just need to talk. It can be the first step towards recovery. By providing a sympathetic ear and encouraging them to get professional help they could be making a real difference in their friend's life. While 70% do say they would find it difficult to talk to their doctor it is reassuring that so many people (77%) cite the GP as the first person to contact for information about depression. So while there is still a reluctance to discuss it at least people know where to go. Mental health difficulties can be very distressing, not just for the person experiencing, but for their loved ones. Approaching a healthcare professional for assistance is one of the most important steps a person can make in taking responsibility for their mental health." 

Eithne Boyan, Managing Director of Lundbeck Ireland said, "The Lundbeck Mental Health Barometer provides us with useful insights into how mental health is viewed by the Irish people and we expand our understanding year on year. Depression is a condition that affects all members of our community and we all have our part to play in understanding and supporting those with depression. As specialist in psychiatry Lundbeck have a particular role in education, and the Barometer results show there is still quite a bit of misunderstanding about mental health issues, and depression in particular." 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that depression is currently the second most disabling medical disorder in the age category 15-44. In Ireland it is estimated that some 400,000 people experience from depression at any one time. Symptoms may include feeling unhappy most of the time, a loss of interest in life, feeling anxious, agitated or irritable, feeling guilty, changes to sleeping patterns, change in appetite, feeling tired a lot of the time or low energy levels. If a person is experiencing any of the above symptoms and/or are having any thoughts of suicide or death, it is advised that they talk to a healthcare professional or with groups such as Aware on 1890 303 302. 

References 

This study is based on data from a survey of the adult population, undertaken by Behaviour & Attitudes for Lundbeck. Fieldwork was completed in April 2011 among a nationally representative, quota controlled sample of 998 adults aged 16+. The sample mirrors the national population structure, based on the census of population, in terms of sex, age region and area of residence, and matches industry-agreed standards in respect of social class. Interviewing was undertaken face to face in-home, and interviewers were closely supervised and monitored. Survey design, fieldwork and analysis conform with the strict quality standards dictated by Behaviour & Attitudes membership of ESOMAR (European Code) and the Market Research Society (UK). 

Source: Lundbeck Mental Health Barometer 

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/230554.php