Our psychotherapist Vanessa Dowling from the Depression Recovery Programme was on Thursday's RTE Four Live talking about postnatal depression. Watch the Postnatal Depression piece on RTE player (10 minutes into the show) or read Vanessa's blog below.
Teenage Depression is a difficult condition to identify as it may exhibit similar signs to normal teenage melancholia and moodiness. However depression is a very serious condition that can have drastic effects on a teenagers developing personality and can lead to serious problems such as self harm, substance misuse, educational breakdown, severe anxiety and suicide.
Our Psychotherapist, Colman Noctor appeared RTE FourLive during mental health week to highlight how to spot the signs of depression in children. Read his blog below... Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders that present in the adult population and although it would appear to be less common in children it does occur.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in young Irish adults. Since 1998, more people have died as a result of suicide than in road traffic accidents. Alcohol can contribute to worsening an individual’s problems if they already have a pre-existing mental health issue while on-going problem alcohol use can lead to an individual developing mental health issues such as Depression and Anxiety. Alcohol can affect our ability to cope, manage and overcome everyday stresses and significant life events such as unemployment or bereavement.
According to the World Health Organisation Depression will be the second largest cause of disability in our world by the year 2020. One in five of our population have a depressive illness at some stage in their life time and the rising tide of suicide is largely attributed to depressive disorders.
Despite the scale of the problem, there are some who question the existence of depression. Some have even have gone so far as to describe all mental illness as a “myth”.
The atmosphere of the hospital is very bright, cheerful and friendly. The staff are excellent, uniformly helpful without exception and a credit to the hospital
There is a very good atmosphere at St. Patrick's. Communication is very good between patients and staff and should be maintained on an informal basis. Food is very good and is a very good morale booster for everyone. I would like to thank everyone in St. Patrick's for input and kindness while I have been here
I had 10 unforgettable days with prime quality care and facilities. Most of all, I've met really nice people and hopefully not being wrong made some friends. Good work, keep it up
It was a turning point in my life and a good one. I will always have fond memories of my stay here because the overall feeling was of peace.
Today I'm sad as I leave ye all, but the sadness is one that I like, Because after 8 weeks on the bay, it's time for me to take a hike, thanks to all the nurses and students, to the staff in the kitchen and OT's too, to the lovely ladies who clean the ward, to the doctors where a bond we grew.
The Cleaners kept my room beautifully clean and the Temple Centre was spotless. The staff were so helpful and caring and gave me as much time as I needed. All in all I was very well cared for. Thank you very much
Excellent staff have finally helped me overcome my illness with the correct treatment and also using the recovery psychosis programme which opened my mind to what I suffer from. I have had this for 10 years but now I feel relaxed, free of all fear thanks to the A team. St Pats sets the standard for others to follow.
I do not have a single negative to pass on the time I have spent under the care of the staff of St. Patrick's Hospital other than to say that it varied between very good and exceptional. I came to hospital feeling broken and despairing and leave now feeling renewed and well and looking to the future.
I was most impressed with the care given to my daughter during her stay here. The ambience in the hospital is relaxed and caring. From the cleaners to the nurses, doctors and administrators everybody is on first name terms all working to a common goal of getting people better. Congratulations on a job well done
