The need for holistic ‘mental health’ promotion in Ireland.

by sean Mon Nov 10, 2008 14:40

What is absent from the findings of the Health Research Board though is the fact that a significant number of people with a diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ and other serious ‘mental illness’ end their lives and as many critics of psychiatry have pointed out their deaths may be related to the neurotoxic and debilitating effects of the various neuroleptic drugs that they are prescribed. It is also now generally recognised that antidepressants can cause suicidal ideation. I

it is evident therefore that what we have in society is not an epidemic of illegal drug related death but on the contrary an epidemic of psychiatric ‘killer’ drugs. The health and well being of the Irish people and particular the most vulnerable in society must be placed before the economic self-interest of those advocating and prescribing such drugs. The mental heath system’s approach of trying to drug away people’s problems in life has clearly failed and must be replaced with humane, holistic and dignified methods

by Robert Thu Nov 13, 2008 08:44

"Doctors should refrain from immoral behaviour and resist the temptations that accompany their privileged position (today, from drug companies offering generous gifts, for example)".

by Mary Thu Nov 13, 2008 09:37

"Vermont officials disclosed Tuesday that drug company payments to psychiatrists in the state more than doubled last year, to an average of $45,692 each from $20,835 in 2005. Antipsychotic medicines are among the largest expenses for the state’s Medicaid program." (From New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/health/psychology/27d....html )

Related link: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Psychiatrists%2C+g...earch

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Sat Nov 15, 2008 19:02

Soul Freedom - a website that anyone can enter the path of life long learning.

All around is doom, we see our Taoiseach Mr. Cowan, silent and head in hands, with criticism coming from all sectors and the cry to remove Minister Harney (P.D.s no longer in existence). A wrong 'diagnosis' in the Budget saw an unexpected mobilisation of the elderly throughout Ireland at the Dail to express their disatisfaction with the cuts to health and this was followed by the youth and life long learning contingent of students about education cuts proposed by Government.

Mental Health and Suicide......and every subset that is never mentioned.

Sean, people in this category are in the ringer for so long. The aim is the community but the outcome, is either a mental hospital, or prison, or homeless, and add to this the under-reporting of suicide. It is said that the numbers are reduced considerably in the public hospitals and if this is so there are a number of vacant mental illness hospitals available for sale. In fact before they decided to just allocate the money for those who are vulnerable with mental health problems to another more deserving HSE project. Signs on, if they failed to sell during the boom, as they are now facing high losses on the properties as well as misappropriating funds that were due to be spent on the whole mental health field.

Well to people like me and Sean and others who care about ourselves and others, let us try a little self empowerment. It is the only option we have now as the country heads for depression and we are definitely not fashionable in the recession. I hope I have the spelling correct. There is a saying 'If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, let Mohammed come to the Mountain.............well we are on are way......We are capable of accepting Diversity in Unity and we are able to help others. We have Freedom and we want to be heard by the Psychiatric profession and we want an involvement as distinct from the control over power related Credo. I am not critiscizing the profession, they have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders but it about options and interaction.

Communication. We have the telephone and the Samaritans provide a really good listening ear. There is the Church, the Doctor, friends but if your mood is down, your esteem is down and the pre-occupying thought is to avoid wasting other people's time. You may be working, or in the home but interacting with people just does not work. You need peace and quiet. Alone and Solitude maybe what you need, contrary to the belief of so many 'who know how others should live their lives'.

Have you a computer? Is there a chance of getting one? If not, there is the library and lessons or internet shops (e.g. Rathmines, O'Connell Street. It does not take a lost to do a search and print......try following a tread related to your specific problem say bipolar. You are looking for the sensation of reward ..... the reward is the lift that you something that might raise hope.

My partner started buying me the New Scientist a few years ago and I really don't know how I would have survived without the re-insurance it gives me.........I look out for the little miracles of hope that say there is Hope.

Sean I printed off you article yesterday to read it with the necessary intent......and then I looked at my recent edition of New Scientist. I think this will be of interest to you. Under the Technology sector (page 24), the heading reads 'The e-Doctor will see you now.

To my delight......the next line reads 'On line therapies can reach millions and sometimes get better results than conventional treatments' Rachel Novak, Melbourne, Australia (in Croke Park now).

The article is really worth reading. They have Fear Fighting programmes, including phobias, anxiety, mood swings....This is rooted in E health

Soul Freedom is an interesting avenue towards self healing and help particularly in the area of mental health. The links are also interesting taking you in an outward flow from health specific to areas of interest in the news, films, etc. Mind Freedom.org is a campaign launched in 2008. One heading is On the the MadMarket details a book about Ethics.....much needed in Ireland.....

Did anyone ever consider that there is a Congressional hearing held on psychiatric drugging of USA care kids........this is worth reading.

Our Children must be protected throughout the Financial Crisis and outcome. Every one must look to the interests of Children. Mind Freedom writes on A School of Shock.......Inside a school where mentally dirturbed students are jolted into good behaviour, Village Voice........again, worth thinking about. Being vulnerable is no fun and far from empowering in any way.

Michelle

Quotation

Clearing House Newsletter
News .

"[America] goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the
well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and
vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the
..It is part of the moral tragedy with which we are dealing that words like
"democracy," "freedom," "rights," "justice," which have so often inspired
heroism and have led men to give their lives for things which make life
worthwhile, can also become a trap, the means of destroying the very things
men desire to uphold.
Sir Norman Angell(1874 - 1967)
1956.
=
"As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of
corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country
will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the
people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is
destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country
than ever before, even in the midst of war. God grant that my suspicions may
prove groundless." : U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov.
21, 1864 - (letter to Col. William F. Elkins) - Ref: The Lincoln
Encyclopedia, Archer H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)
=
They (corporations) cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed, nor
excommunicated, for they have no souls: Lord Edward Coke
=
criminal, n. A person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient
capital to form a corporation: Howard Scott
===

by Mr Man Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:49

I agree absolutely that there needs to be some serious reconsiderations when it comes to the prescription of benzos, however, looking to holistics for the answer is counter intuitive. The fact is, these drugs DO help many many people. Endeavors must be made to couple more support services with medication and to make it harder for a doctor to prescribe these to a patient. The issue with money I feel is not indicative of over prescription due to payoff (although it very possibly could be) but rather brand choice due to payoff, as in Ireland, the pharmacist has little choice when it comes to brand choice, with patients having to fork over significantly more money for a brand name even though a constitutionally identical generic is available.

Medicine is based in science, and the fact is that if a doctor 'prescribes' holistics and the patient kills himself, the doctor is open to a malpractice accusation as repeated tests have shown the efficacy of these drugs. This is why there will never be straight holistic prescription. The best there is ever going to be is an integrative approach, with prescription being accompanied by interviews by health care workers and alternative medicines. But this requires money, and i don't think Harney will be able to pull that off if she cant even get some money together for the cancer vaccine.

by anonymous me Mon Nov 17, 2008 22:24

I am currently on antidepressants and heading towards the end of my medical treatment after approx one year. It is not the first time I have been on anti-depressants. Hopefully it will be the last.

I agree that medication certainly has it's place in treatment. It can take a long time to find the meds or combination of meds that work for a person, but with good medical supervision, it can be life saving.

Having said that, counselling plays an important part in amny cases, as it did in mine.

I have a medical card and have absolutely no complaints as to the holistic approach that was taken by my GP and other health professionals. I realise that I have been lucky this time, as nothing was offered to me the last time I needed help.

I suppose I am saying that the holistic approach is there, it's just a matter of finding a GP who will point you in the right direction. When stuck in a black hole, it's difficult to look these resources up for yourself.....

by Sean - Soul Freedom Ireland Wed Nov 19, 2008 18:36 shaunpleamonn at hotmail dot com

thanks for comments.

if my website helps to save some souls from psychiatric fraud, its false diagnostic system, harmful drugs and abuse of human rights I will be only too pleased.

psychiatry is a pseudo medical fraud- no diagnostic tests, no real concept of what is a 'bio-chemical' imbalance and 'medicines' which actually cause neurological illnesses such as tardive dyskinesia.

say no to psychiatry and yes to education, holistic health and freedom in life to be the person you were meant to be and not someone with a 'brain chemical imbalance' or someone 'mentally ill'.