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September 20th, 2012

Press Release.

An internal investigation is currently being carried out by the IAS into a suspected financial irregularity by an individual over a short period of time.

An employee of the Association has been suspended pending the completion of the internal investigation.

Fair procedures will be applied by the Association in its investigation and the Association is committed to best H.R. practice and appropriate sensitivity in dealing with the circumstances of the case.

On the advice of our legal advisers and our insurers the matter has been reported to the Gardai. Investigations are ongoing and we are precluded from discussing the matter further.

John Connolly
Secretary Irish Association of Suicidology
On Behalf of the Board of Directors

HSE Clarifies Funding For Mental Health/ Suicide Prevention

The Irish Association of Suicidology welcomes Minister Lynch’s clarification on the report in the Irish Times (6th September 2012) regarding the additional funding for mental health / suicide prevention.

According to a statement issued by the Minister the majority of the 414 additional posts for community mental health teams are at advance recruitment stages. Even though the posts will not be taken up until December which means that most of the funding allocated for this year will not be spent as designated. It does commit the HSE to funding these posts in future years.

Statement by Minister Lynch: http://www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2012/20120906.html
Report in the Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0906/1224323655497.html

The Importance of Being Earnest - Dublin Castle 2012

Planning for the Irish Association of Suicidology’s 2^nd annual garden theatre event got under way almost as soon as last year’s event took place. The feedback from attendees was so positive that we immediately decided to run the event again in 2012. We were doubly delighted when we discovered that the play for 2012 was to be Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Early in the year we met with the staff of Dublin castle and they were delighted to allow us to host the event in the beautiful Dubhlinn gardens at Dublin Castle. Tickets went on sale in early May and almost immediately the response was overwhelming.

Mental Health Commission Consultation

The Mental Health Commission is today commencing a written consultation exercise on its Draft Seclusion and Physical Restraint Reduction Strategy. The written consultation will run for a period of three months until 12th September 2012.

The draft strategy consists of 18 actions that aim to reduce the use of seclusion and physical restraint in approved centres. All actions included in the strategy were informed by international good practice initiatives. A copy of the knowledge review which informed the strategy is attached.

A consultation document which includes the 18 actions and a series of questions designed to elicit views is also attached. Feedback can be submitted by email or by post to Mental Health Commission, Standards & Quality Assurance Division, St Martin’s House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4.

Information on the consultation is also available on the Commission’s website www.mhcirl.ie/Consultations/Open_Consultations/

School Bullying - Dan Neville TD

Deputy Dan Neville: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter, the need to combat homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. Last December, while calling on governments around the world to take steps to combat homophobic bullying, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, declared that homophobic bullying was a moral outrage, a grave violation of human rights and a public health issue. It is also a loss to the entire human family when promising lives are cut short. The programme for Government commits the Government to encourage schools to develop anti-bullying policies and, in particular, strategies to combat homophobic bullying and to support students.

Local Groups continue to raise awareness of the issue of suicide and challenge the stigma associated with mental health

Over 100 people attended a public meeting entitled “Working Together to Help Prevent Suicide” in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick on the 23rd of April. The meeting, organised by the Abbeyfeale & District Initative in conjunction with Limerick Social Council, was chaired by Bernie Carroll, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention with the HSE. A number of such meeting have been held around Ireland in recent months and more are being planned by local community groups keen to raise awareness of the issue of suicide and challenge the stigma surounding mental health.

2011 IAS Conference Proceedings now available online here

Suicide isn't wanting to die. It's not being able to bear living.

By Dan Neville TD

ONE IN FOUR of us will suffer a mental health problem at some stage of our lives. The demands, pressures and expectations of modern life can increase levels of anxiety and depression, and this is felt even more intensely at times of recession. Suicide has affected too many families and communities across the country, and yet a level of denial persists about this real and serious public health issue. The stigma and lack of understanding around mental health problems must be overcome....

Please click here to read article in full by IAS President, Dan Neville TD on the journal.ie

DoC&YA consultation

The Department of Children & Youth Affairs wants your help in developing plans to improve the lives of children and young people over the next 5 years. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, would like to hear your views. This consultation is open to anyone with an interest in improving the lives of children and young people.

The IAS Welcomes New Board Members

The IAS are delighted to welcome two new members to the Board of Directors; Siobhan O Neill and Paddy Hale Paddy has strong background in private sector industry and will provide the Board with expertise in business and financial planning. Siobhan is a researcher from Ulster University and will provide research experience to the Board. They join Dr. Justin Brophy ( Chair) Eileen Williamson, NSRF ( Vice-Chair), Paul Kelly, Console, Nessa Cummins, AIB, Barry McGale, Western Trust NI, and founder members, Dan Neville TD ( President) and Dr. John Connolly ( Secretary). This is an exciting time for the IAS with the rollout of the Accreditation Model and other new projects in the pipeline.

Lifting the Stigma Associated with Suicide Championed by Local People

For many people the need for mental health services does not cross their minds until they, or a loved one are in crisis. At this point having never required such services before they find themselves looking for information and support in a world where people are not open to discussing the issue. The stigma that surrounds mental health and suicide is ingrained in Irish society based on historical reasons. This stigma needs to be challenged and the best place to tackle this is at a local level. On Wednesday 11th of April one such event was held in Clonmel.

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