The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland welcomes the amendment to mental health legislation by the Dáil last night (8/12/15) which sees the deletion of the word ‘unwilling’ with regard to the administration of Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT).

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland congratulates Dr Zafar Nisar, winner of the John Dunne Medal 2014., Dr Nisar, who is currently employed as a Senior Registrar in Roscommon County Hospital, was selected as this year’s winner for his contribution to the paper An examination of childhood trauma in individuals attending an adult mental health service. This paper investigates the association of five forms of childhood trauma with a range of clinical symptoms and mental health disorders in 136 individuals attending a mental health service in Ireland. The first author of this paper is Dr Anna Wota. It was co- written with Dr Charles Byrne, Dr Ivan Murray, Dr Thomas Ofuafor, Dr Frank Neuner and Dr Brian Hallahan and appeared in the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine last December 2014.

Mental illness causes both social and financial damage. The cost to the nation of poor mental health (leaving aside the human costs to individuals and society) is over 2% of GNP.

Dignity is a basic human right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of social status; too often, those with mental and psychosocial disabilities are denied their right to dignity.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10th of September 2015, College of Psychiatrists of Ireland stresses the importance of reaching out and saving lives. Without 24/7 access to multi-disciplinary mental health assessments and interventions, preventable loss of life can occur. This is not acceptable.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland attended the pop up café in Carlow organised by the Carers Association of Ireland, one of many events held around the country, for Carers Week 2015.

Book compliments the publication of REFOCUS inaugural report.

The College of Psychiatrists proposes that Neuroleptic Medications should only be prescribed in vulnerable populations by specialists with appropriate training and competencies.

The annual College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPsychI) NCHD conference took place recently in the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham in Dublin, and was a great success with a high turnout of Trainee Psychiatrists and NCHDs.

The Seventh Annual Spring Conference of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, held recently in Kilkenny, took a modern approach this year. Attended by circa 450 delegates over the two day event, the conference theme dealt with forward thinking, varied topics which stimulated lively debate amongst attendees.

According to research, over half o young Irish people will meet the criteria for a mental health disorder at some point before 25 years of age.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland welcomes the publication of the review of the Mental Health Act. The review will advance the rights of those patients with mental illness who are involuntarily detained. It is also welcome that the review recommends changes to protect those who lack capacity but who do not fulfil criteria for involuntary detention.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is pleased to announce a half day conference in association with Saint John of God Hospital. This conference focuses on Psychiatry of Later Life and will take place from 9.30am until 1pm on Saturday, 31st of January at Saint John of God Hospital in Stillorgan.