Mental Health: Peers in Progress

by Seán Crudden - CEHG Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:43 sean at cooleyehg dot com Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth 0879739945

The 13th annual winter workshop organised by Cooley Environmental and Health Group took place in The Strand, Omeath, Co. Louth, on Saturday 26 January 2013 as planned. With a break at 15.30 the business end of the workshop lasted from 14.15 until 17.00. 16 people attended including the facilitator, Dermot Mooney. I am not going to give a blow by blow account but the workshop was stimulating, earnest, lively; well up to the standard of previous years.

A youth worker, Kevin Moran, forecast that the number of crisis interventions would mushroom in the next 10 years at a time when resources were diminishing.

It was pointed out by Joe Walshe that there were increasing resources deployed in suicide prevention. I noted that the graph was rising and opined that the work being done in this area, PR, etc., was doing more harm than good. An "evidence based" opinion?

Everyone attending got a good insight into the life and difficulties facing the mental patient and into the mental health system.

Michael Corrigan gave an authoritative survey of how the idea of peer support is understood internationally and how it is received. It seems to be accepted that there are benefits but the "how" of it seems to be of crucial importance.

Stanley Millen pointed out that the whole business of mental health has come to occupy a central position in people's minds now where spiritual considerations might have had pride of place previously. He asserted that there is a lot of jargon surrounding modern concepts of mental health and he recommended John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as helpful reading.

It was not clear whether the basic idea of Peers in Progress has any value. Can early peer support forestall "crisis" and avoid the task of trying to rescue people from the mire in the aftermath of "crisis." ?

The following committee was ratified at 16.00 to sit for the year 2013. Chairperson; Dermot Mooney: vice-chairperson; Mrs. Anne Muldowney: secretary; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes, Abbot OMD, PhD: treasurer, Seán Crudden. Professor Dennis Pringle will continue as mentor. His role is one of oversight. He is not technically a member of the committee and his position is not subject to annual election.

Michael Farrelly

Dermot Mooney, facilitator

Joan Hardy, Michael Corrigan

by archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD - CEHG Mon Aug 19, 2013 15:55

Report on Cooley Environmental & Health Group Meeting Sunday 18th August 2013 in Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth.
a. A nice relaxed atmosphere was encountered in the Strand Hotel as the latest developments were discussed in great detail.
b. An extra page has been added to the website entitled “MAP PROJECT”. Prof Dennis Pringle is responsible for the development of this project with the support of CEHG when and where they hope to have a fairly comprehensive list of services mapped, activities and events that are taking place in the Cooley Peninsula and it hinterlands. In doing this the group welcome suggestions and information about the various interactions going on in the Peninsula and surrounding area. If you wish the website address may be followed at: www.cooleyehg.com
c. The structuring for the workshop 25th January 2014 is now in full swing and participants are being invited in the light that the focus may make clearer the workshop topic: Sustainable Economic Development at Local Level – “An Alternative to Austerity”.
d. Seán Crudden Treasurer proposed deep sympathy is addressed to the Mc Crystal Family on the sudden death of Aidan a very popular figure in the local community. May Aidan Rest in Peace.