Wednesday 22 December 2010

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Disability Equality Training - November

Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership would like to invite representatives from the Gateway Project to participate in free Disability Equality Training being offered to community groups and services in the Rathmines/Pembroke area. The training will take place on Monday 29th November from 9.30am - 4.30pm in the Camden Court Hotel, Camden Street. Lunch will be provided.

The training will be very participative, practical and dynamic and aims to:

Explore attitudes to people with disabilities in Ireland today, and discover how these impact on people with disabilities and on the efficiency and effectiveness of services.
Provide participants with information on what is required of them according to Irish Law.
Provide participants with tips and hints on how to include people with disabilities and highlight how this will improve overall customer service or community participation at little to no cost.
Answer any queries participants might have on including people with a disability in their particular group or service.


This training is guaranteed to be invaluable for anyone interacting with the public on a daily basis and will provide a solid foundation on disability equality awareness. CSOs National Disability Survey 2006 highlighted that 54% of people with a disability cited difficulty in taking part in community life. Become part of a movement to change this starting with raising awareness among your group or staff on disability equality.


If you are interested in this training please contact Mairead McCann before Friday 19th November by e-mail on mairead@rpcp.ie or phone on 4965558 with the names and contact details of those interested and whether they have any specific dietary requirements.

Places limited so early booking is advised.

Monday 11 October 2010

Government action needed on mental health prejudice and discrimination

A new report launched today on the 7th of October 2010 uncovers an uncomfortable set of truths about how we treat people with mental health problems in Ireland today. More than 300 people were interviewed by Dublin City University’s School of Nursing as part of Amnesty International Ireland’s (AI) mental health and human rights campaign. Hear my voice: challenging prejudice and discrimination contains their voices and places the findings in a human rights context.


Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of AI, said: “Unlike racism, sexism or ageism, there is no ‘-ism’ to describe discrimination on the grounds of mental health. It remains the hidden, permissible ‘-ism’, but it must be challenged.

“At the heart of Hear my voice is not the statistics or the analysis but the human stories. For example, when you hear about the job offer that disappeared at the mention of a mental health problem. Or someone else explaining how their opinion, once respected, suddenly had no value because of a mental health problem. And another outlining so simply, yet so powerfully, the dramatic effect a mental health problem had on their social life. ‘No telephone calls, no visiting, no invitations to visit.’

“We are used to hearing about society’s hostile attitudes towards people with mental health problems. But in Ireland to date there has been little research about the nature, extent and impact of discrimination that people with mental health problems face, especially from the perspective of that group itself. This research has highlighted the problems that exist and point clearly to the need for a more thorough analysis by the Government, followed by action to properly address this issue.

“In Ireland there is no clear evidence of overt direct discrimination by the state in its laws, policies or practices. The real issue however is the hidden, indirect discrimination and inequality people face. We know that people with mental health problems have lower employment rates and are more likely to have left education early, suggesting the reported unfair treatment from the research is having a very real impact on people’s lives.”

Caroline McGuigan, founder and CEO of Suicide or Survive, lived through mental health problems. She said: “It’s not the big things that stay with you, it’s the little things. Like being told that because you have a mental health problem, ‘You can’t cope. You’re not able.’ People talking behind your back. It is horrible.

“Job opportunities for me were suddenly limited. It’s like everything I had achieved in my life previously had disappeared from view. I was educated, had been running my own business. But out of the blue, the goalposts changed.

“It became, ‘You are mentally unwell and this is all you are capable of.’”

“Being vulnerable and struggling is a part of life, yet mental health issues are still a taboo subject and the old myths are still around. These attitudes and behaviours have to change because they are what are destroying lives and communities.”

Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, author and freelance journalist who has experienced depression, said: “Fear of prejudice and discrimination silenced me. I saw what happened to colleagues and friends who had depression. The label of depression is the only thing people needed to know about them. It could cast a shadow on their career for the rest of their life. And I didn’t want that.

“So instead, I hid this part of me away and in the process cut off possible avenues of help and support. Slowly I died inside.

“The ‘black cloud’ still envelopes me from time to time. But I have learned how to manage it.”

National campaign

At the report launch, AI, in partnership with See Change, the National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership, unveiled its brand new social marketing campaign to help challenge mental health prejudice and end discrimination, which will be seen on billboards, bus shelters and in newspapers across the country. The campaign is asking everyone to play a part in challenging mental health prejudice, by taking a pledge, taking action or attending a community event.

Top line findings from DCU’s research:

* 95 per cent of participants reported some level of unfair treatment because of
a mental health problem

* The vast majority of respondents (86 per cent) indicated that they experienced
some level of distress as a result of unfair treatment

* 64 per cent of people reported unfair treatment in making or keeping friends

* 63 per cent of people reported having been avoided or shunned because of a
mental health problem

* 61 per cent of people reported being treated unfairly by family

* 44 per cent of people reported being treated unfairly in terms of personal
safety

* 43 per cent reported being treated unfairly in keeping a job

* 36 per cent of people reported being unfairly treated in finding a job

* Two thirds (66 per cent) of the participants stopped themselves from applying
for work

Among Amnesty International’s recommendations in Hear my voice: challenging mental health prejudice and discrimination are:

Recommendation: Ireland should ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol without further delay.

Recommendation: Government departments should:

* Set out specific commitments and develop plans of action to implement the
social inclusion recommendations in A Vision for Change which are relevant to
their work;

* Identify indirect discrimination against people with mental health problems
that may be occurring as a consequence of the application of laws and policies
that fall within their responsibility to undertake measures to redress this,
and monitor the impact of these measures; and

* Develop and implement specialised education programmes targeted at key state
agencies under their authority to improve attitudes and conduct of officials.

Recommendation: The Equality Authority should collect, analyse and disseminate information on the prevalence and nature of discrimination against people with mental health problems.

Recommendation: The Office for Mental Health and Disability should adopt immediate, effective and appropriate measures to combat prejudice and raise awareness of the impact of discrimination.

Recommendation: AI calls on civil society organisations and groups to help create an environment in which people mental health problems are free from discrimination.

See Change - See Change, the National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership, is an alliance of organisations working together to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems. Amnesty International is a partner organisation in this initiative.

Public meeting about mental health stigma and the See Change campaign - Dublin City Council Offices November 1st at 7pm

Friday 1 October 2010

Thursday 5 August 2010

Tools for Wellness Programme




We are hoping to run a programme to support members in their recovery through the development of a personalised plan called Tools for Wellness. The programme is based on Mary Ellen Copeland’s Wellness Recovery Action Plan® which has helped thousands of people affected by mental ill health to recover and regain control over their lives despite having a psychiatric diagnosis. She developed WRAP® after completing extensive research on the individual’s experiences of recovery from mental ill health and also resulting from her own needs in managing manic depression.

The goals of the course are to enable participants to develop their own recovery and self-management resources for dealing with ongoing psychiatric symptoms. The course will empower participants to take back control and responsibility of their individual needs for wellbeing and improved quality of life while developing a personalised wellness plan in a group setting. The focus of the course will be on the follow key areas: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Self-Advocacy, Education & Support. It will be delivered through 6-8 workshop-style sessions where the emphasis is on shared wisdom and interactive group activites.

Fionn and Martha will be providing an information session in early September where members can find out all about the programme before taking the plunge – so watch this space!

Saturday 3 July 2010

Gardening is good for your mental health



Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership is about to get a plot in an allotment - watch this space for more information.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Fishing with Garda Gerry Hogarty



On the 22nd of June Gateway members learned how to put fishing gear together in the RPCP computer room!
On Friday next at 1.30 the group will meet at RPCP and learn how to cast, on that day the group will make a decision on a fishing trip sometime in July. All members welcome.

Thanks to Gerry for sharing his passion with us.

Friday 28 May 2010

Last chance to win 5000!!



Here Comes the Sun…
Enter the See Change ideas competition & you could win €5,000 to spend as you choose.

See Change is Ireland’s new national partnership to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination associated with mental health problems. We are an alliance of organisations working together to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems.

Be the Change We want your ideas on how best to deliver our vision of an Ireland where every person has an open and positive attitude to their own and others’ mental health. Your idea could be a memorable campaign slogan or it could be an idea to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination. For more information and to enter to win €5,000, check out our website: www.seechange.ie

Alternatively, you can post your entry to: See Change Competition, c/o 38 Blessington St., Dublin 7
The competition terms and conditions are available at www.seechange.ie
Competition deadline to enter is 1st June 2010.

Amnesty & Gateway send Brian Cowen a message about the right to mental health



Amnesty's Pippa visited the Gateway Project on the 27th of May and Gateway members took part in an exciting new social media project which is part of Amnesty's mental health campaign.

Gateway Members were recorded by Eoin, and they ecorded short messages in support of the right to mental health. The recording along with others from around the country will be sent to Brian Cowen demanding he make mental health a political priority.

Thanks and well done to the Gateway Members who took part in this exciting message to the goverment.

Take action and support Amnesty’s Mental Health Campaign for more details contact Martha in Gateway or directly to Amnesty:- http://www.amnesty.ie/our-work/sign-mental-health-lobbying-network-registering-your-details-below

Friday 21 May 2010

Thank you to Dublin City Council for the invitation to speak at their Social Inclusion Week Seminar

The seminar ‘Excluded Groups in Our Community – Some Viewpoints’ was organised by Hugh Fahey, Social Inclusion Officer, Dublin City Council.

The context of the seminar is to actively support the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. One aim of the year is to give voice to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

The Chair for the day was Brian Merriman of the Equality Authority and the speakers were:-

* Mary O’Shea, Dublin Aids Alliance - HIV and AIDS – what are the issues today?

* Barry Johnston, Amnesty International – Mental Health and Human Rights.

* Martha Griffin, Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership – Gateway Mental Health Project, a local resource.

* Moninne Griffith, Marriage Equality – Life for same sex couples today.

* Pol O Cionnaith, LGBT Noise – Outreach Programme on behalf of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered People.

* David Carrol, BeLonG To Youth Services, Youth Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered People.

http://www.dublin.ie/dcdb/social-inclusion-week-2010.htm

Thursday 13 May 2010

Get off my cloud

Congratulations to the hardworking participants involved in the fantastic, real and brave performance of ‘Get off my cloud’. Well done!! A big thank you to the hard work of the Creative Arts facilitator - Siobhan Larkin.

Friday 30 April 2010

Creative Arts Preformance


Gateway Project’s Creative Arts
Performance

In Mount Drummond Court
12th May at 3.00 pm
light refreshments will be served


To reserve your seat please RSVP Martha,
Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership
on 01 4965558 or martha@rpcp.ie

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Enter the See Change ideas competition & you could win €5,000 to spend as you choose



Here Comes the Sun…
Enter the See Change ideas competition & you could win €5,000 to spend as you choose.

See Change is Ireland’s new national partnership to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination associated with mental health problems. We are an alliance of organisations working together to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems.

Be the Change We want your ideas on how best to deliver our vision of an Ireland where every person has an open and positive attitude to their own and others’ mental health. Your idea could be a memorable campaign slogan or it could be an idea to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination. For more information and to enter to win €5,000, check out our website: www.seechange.ie

Alternatively, you can post your entry to: See Change Competition, c/o 38 Blessington St., Dublin 7
The competition terms and conditions are available at www.seechange.ie
Competition deadline to enter is 1st June 2010.

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Gateway welcomes the new National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership



See Change is Ireland's new national partnership to reduce stigma and challenge discrimination associated with mental health problems. It is an alliance of organisations working together through the National Stigma Reduction Partnership to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems.

Website http://www.seechange.ie/
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sidewaysnews.com%2Fblogs%2Fgina-lovett%2Fhope-amid-hopelessness#!/SeeChangeIreland?ref=ts

Friday 9 April 2010

Action Group

Gateway has a new action group!

The next meeting is the 15th of April 2010 from 5.00pm - 6.30pm.

The group have decided that they would like to work on stigma and mental health and isolation in our community.

The group have decided on two goals:-

Short Term Goad: - A poster campaign on why people are afraid of people with mental ill health. The outcome of this would be to challenge stigma but also to outreach for the Gateway Project to prevent isolation.

Long Term Goal: - A public meeting – a focus is to be decided.

Come along and let us take some action!

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Recovery Talk in St. Pat's Hospital Tonight.

Where: The Lecture Hall, St. Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin 8
When: Wednesday April 7th 2010
From 7.30pm to 8.40pm

ADMISSION FREE ALL WELCOME

For more information please contact Susan McFeely, Regional Development Officer, Shine: 086 8525221

http://www.stpatrickshosp.com/index.php/events?task=view_detail&agid=20&year=2010&month=04&day=07&catids=56

Thursday 1 April 2010

Thank you to author Mia Gallagher for speaking at our recent booklet launch.



The Creative Writing Group produced a booklet recently and it was launched on Friday the 12th of March 2010. The special guest for the event was author Mia Gallagher. The creative writing class is taught by George Ferguson who is a City of Dublin VEC Tutor.

Thanks to Mia and George for their lovely words.

Creative writing classes take place on Fridays from 2.00pm - 4.00pm.





Mia's Book
One bright summer's morning in 2003 a young woman, Lucy, recently out of jail, sets out on a journey around Dublin, trying to make sense of her troubled life. She tells of the rise and fall, over three generations, of her family, whose businesses were clairvoyance and street-trading, and she recalls the twists and turns that led her into addiction, madness and jail. In particular, she relives her relationship with a charismatic and dangerous young gangster, Nayler, who still haunts her and to whom she addresses her story. Lucy's journey turns into a pilgrimage back to a haunted place and to the worst life of her night. But it may be a pilgrimage that saves her as she finally faces down the ghosts of her past.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2006/oct/21/featuresreviews.guardianreview22
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/hellfire-by-mia-gallagher-420224.html

Gateway Short Stopmotion Clips - Art & Craft Session



Arts and Crafts takes place every Thursday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and Tim Lloyd is a City of Dublin VEC Tutor.

Wednesday 31 March 2010

Lobby with Amnesty on Mental Health Issues




Amnesty International Mental Health Lobbying Network

If you are interested in signing up to this network and receiving the monthly actions please email mentalhealth@amnesty.ie

Why Amnesty needs you:

Mental health problems can affect anyone. At least one in four people in Ireland will experience a mental health problem during their lives. This means almost every family in Ireland is affected in some way by successive governments’ apathy in this area.

Ireland’s mental health policy framework, A Vision for Change, was published in January 2006. Now we have a framework, it is time to see some changes. It is time for individuals, as constituents, to voice their views to their Dáil Éireann representatives about how mental health services and supports are planned and delivered.

As part of Amnesty's campaign to promote the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health, Amnesty International is facilitating this engagement of individuals through a Mental Health Lobbying Network.

Amnesty invites everyone - services users, mental health professionals, teachers, you - to join this network. There is a vast constituency whose voices are not being heard by Government.

Together our voices are louder. We need your voice!

What we need you to do:

Each month a letter-writing action is issued to members of the Network, together with advice on how to lobby TDs. Regional training and capacity-building resources are available to Network members throughout the course of these actions.

The objective is that as many individuals as possible call, visit or write to their TD on the same day each month with the same issue and demand.

While this Network is for individuals, we also welcome organisations with membership bases or channels of communication with individuals who may be interested in participating in the Network. If you are interested in taking part in the lobbying network please contact Karol Balfe, Campaigns Officer, at 01-677 6361 or mentalhealth@amnesty.ie

Please do let Amnesty know if you take action and about any responses you receive.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Shine have invited Gateway to speak at their Public Talk Series.

St. Patrick’s University Hospital and Shine, Supporting People Affected By Mental Ill Health would like to invite you to the fourth in a series of Public Talks:

Psychosis: Be Informed Options for Recovery

Where: The Lecture Hall, St. Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin 8
When: Wednesday April 7th ‘10
From 7.30pm to 8.40pm

Chair: Jim Walsh, Lecturer in Mental Health School of Nursing D.C.U.

SPEAKERS:

Cillian Russell, Manager, Rehabilitation Services, Shine

Martha Griffin & Fionn Fitzpatrick, The Gateway Project

Dervla Kennedy, St. Patrick’s University Psychosis Programme


ADMISSION FREE ALL WELCOME

For more information please contact Susan McFeely, Regional Development Officer, Shine: 086 8525221

Gateway is giving blogging a try!!

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