Support When Needed

Posted on 02. May, 2007 in Community, Depression, Different abilities, Mental Health

Recent tragic events in Wexford have left many people looking for answers regarding support networks around the country, particularly for those with any disabilities.  What supports should be put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again?  Miriam Gormally met Deirdre Carroll, CEO of Inclusion Ireland to find out whether this incident would raise questions […]

Samaritan Text Support

Posted on 04. Apr, 2007 in Depression, Mental Health, Suicide

Given that Ireland has the highest suicide rate amongst the young adult populations, it is crucial to find a way that adequate support can be made available to them.  The Samaritans have come up with a new service; responding to distress by text and email.  Miriam Gormally met Maggie Hayden, the director of the Dublin […]

Bodywhys

Posted on 27. Dec, 2006 in Addiction, Eating Disorder, Health, Mental Health

Christmas is a season associated with wining and dining, but this can be a nightmare for those suffering with eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia. Often seen as ‘fashion victim’ diseases associated with a desire to be thin, it is actually a great deal more intricate and complicated than that. Miriam Gormally asked Catherine […]

Christians in Palestine

Posted on 13. Dec, 2006 in Death, Faith and Justice, Health, Mental Health, Poverty, Suicide

The very first Christmas took place in Palestine, but today it is no longer a place for celebration. Rev. Fadi Diab is a Christian Rector who works in Palestine and is witness everyday to the injustices and horrific actions that take place there, particularly at the border crossing. Miriam Gormally first asked him about the […]

Console

Posted on 15. Nov, 2006 in Death, Depression, Mental Health, Relationships, Suicide

Suicide in Ireland is on the increase, especially amongst young people.  Samantha McGarry is a counsellor who works for Console, an organisation which was founded by families who were bereaved by suicide, to offer support to other families.  Miriam Gormally met Samantha and asked her about her experience of working with families bereaved by suicide. 

It was Suicide

Posted on 01. Nov, 2006 in Death, Depression, Faith and Justice, Mental Health, Suicide

The death of a son is hard to deal with, but when that death is a suicide, it is so much harder.  David Wynne lost his son Derek to suicide on the 8th of February 1997 and David still lives with the grief.  Rev. Ian Poulton met David and asked him how he coped with […]

Relationship Needs and Disability – Kelley Johnson

Posted on 18. Oct, 2006 in Celibacy/Sexuality, Faith and Justice, Mental Health, Relationships

Kelley Johnson was involved in a ground breaking study that looked at the needs and relationship desires of people with intellectual difficulties.  She found that the vast majority of them wanted to have some kind of adult relationship but felt constricted by society.  However she also found that many of them had been abused and […]

Inclusion Ireland

Posted on 04. Oct, 2006 in Caring for Children, Church Teachings, Different abilities, Faith and Justice, Health, Mental Health, Relationships

NAMHI, an organisation which helps people with intellectual disabilities has recently taken on the name Inclusion Ireland.  They are also running a series of seminars responding to the particular needs of people with intellectual disabilities.  Miriam Gormally met Deirdre O’Carroll, Director of the organisation to find out the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and […]

Prisoner Volunteers

Posted on 20. Sep, 2006 in Church Teachings, Depression, Faith and Justice, Health, Mental Health

Some 28 prisoners are now trained as Samaritan Volunteers in a number of Dublin prisons and the organisation hopes to eventually extend the project to every prison in the State.  These prisoners provide a confidential listening service for fellow inmates at Cloverhill, Wheatfield and Arbour Hill prisons.  They are introduced to new prisoners as they […]

Working at Christmas

Posted on 14. Dec, 2005 in Christmas, Mental Health, Seasons of the Church Year

Having a member of family in care can be traumatising especially at Christmas.  Michael O’Connor works with adults with severe disabilities, physical and mental.  Most of them stay in care even over Christmas and this year Michael will be working with them.  Miriam asked him how many of their families collect them to take them […]