Depression in Young Men

[Ephilant]

Hats of to this guy, even if he is a Tory MP. A few more politicians like this one around, and life could become a lot easier for a hell of a lot of people.
And fair play to his wife for helping him deal with his "voices" rather than asking the doctors for a "shut-up" pill...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/93...ils-a-day.html

[fluffybiscuits]

Hats of to this guy, even if he is a Tory MP. A few more politicians like this one around, and life could become a lot easier for a hell of a lot of people.
And fair play to his wife for helping him deal with his "voices" rather than asking the doctors for a "shut-up" pill...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/93...ils-a-day.html

Thanks for raising that issue, its a very common issue throughout the world for a lot of people. I know one particular lad who has an issue with things being dirty and this has taken him to having a number of quirky habits that he tries to justify. One is turning taps off with his elbows (I know this is good practice in hospitals) but also silly little things like going mad at me when cooking on holiday for leaving dirty cutlery around! Its nuts! He does not see any issue with what he does!

[Ephilant]

I got this forwarded by friend this morning, and decided to just put it out there. It could be something for people on the forum or for friends they know.

Tell your story
Critical Voices Network East invites you to contribute a written testimonial of your self-experience of emotional distress including, in particular, your experience of the mental health services in Ireland.
CVN is a network of persons who have self-experience of mental health services, their family members, and practitioners from various backgrounds, seeking alternatives to the medical model and current mental health system in Ireland.
The purpose of publishing testimonials is to give a public voice to survivors and their experiences. It will also be useful to support work for change towards more person-centred approaches to emotional well-being. The CVN Mission Statement states one of our aims is “to introduce personal experience as evidence that the biomedical model of psychiatry requires a major overhaul right now, today.”
We welcome testimonials from people with self experience of emotional distress and of the mental health services in your own words and language.
If you decide to contribute a testimonial, you may choose for it to be published anonymously, through a pseudonym, or in your own name – whichever you prefer, your confidentiality will remain protected.
Testimonials may be of any length though there will be a recommended maximum of between 1,000 and 1,500 words with each testimonial to be reviewed individually in this regard in collaboration with contributors.
While the integrity of all testimonials received will be respected, there will be some editorial input in relation, for example, to issues which may give rise to litigation. Contributors will be advised of any editorial concerns and will be supported in making any necessary changes to avoid litigation in advance of online publication.
While we will aim to facilitate the publication of all testimonials online, any decision to not publish will be discussed and reviewed in collaboration with contributors.
Finally and most importantly, if you do consider writing a testimonial, we would advise that you have good social and other supports in place and supporters whom you can involve as necessary as in some cases this process may result in upsetting feelings coming to the surface. It is vital that contributors have supports in place to help with the processing of the experience prior to engaging with the project. These supports can be discussed with the editorial team.
All ethical and legal considerations have been thoroughly researched for the project. We will use ethical survivor research best practice guidelines and apply an ‘ethics as process’ approach which essentially means working confidentially and collaboratively with contributors, keeping people updated as we progress and providing options for participation including removal of published content at any time according to contributors’ wishes.
Editorial Team: Fionn Fitzpatrick & Ian Woods of CVN East
Email: TestimonialsProject.CVNE@gmail.com to organise a chat with us and receive further details.

[C. Flower]

A recent study has shown that rural men on low incomes or unemployed are very vulnerable to depression and self harm.

There is a clear economic connection, far more so than has generally been recognised in media discussion.

http://www.teagasc.ie/news/2012/201207-11a.asp

Low educational attainment, limited job opportunities, multiple job histories, marginal farming and dependency on social welfare payments characterised the biographies of the men interviewed.

Dr Cleary stated that rural factors, such as lack of employment opportunities, the stigma attached to mental illness, men’s attitudes to health and a narrow range of treatment options greatly reduced the possibility of solving the mental health problems of this group.

Commenting on the international context of the study findings, Dr Anne Cleary stated that the findings broadly concur with findings from similar studies of male suicidal behaviour in rural Australia, Scotland and the US as well as studies of urban Irish men.

Dr Cleary stated that prevention could be greatly facilitated by social support provided at local level by existing farming, sporting and voluntary organisations. Such support could also help to address the issue of stigma and social exclusion, she stated.

[fluffybiscuits]

A recent study has shown that rural men on low incomes or unemployed are very vulnerable to depression and self harm.

There is a clear economic connection, far more so than has generally been recognised in media discussion.

http://www.teagasc.ie/news/2012/201207-11a.asp

So much of our spiritual well being is being able to connect with the world around us and meet other like minded people. Money is one thing that inevitable drives the world around and around in a continous cycle, to live in this world we need money for most things. Groups like Macra have to give them credit, have been doing great work in the country areas but they have not achieves nearly enough to combat the depression that is experienced by young men. A lot of it is to do with the stigma attached to mental illness, men viewing it as a sign of weakness etc. Financial worries meaning people are worried about paying bills etc.

Amnesty International has been running a great campaign for mental health reform

http://www.amnesty.ie/mentalhealth/

[Ephilant]

Fluffy (or indeed anybody else)

a lot of organisations are trying to do a lot of work, but the problem lies elsewhwere. I would normally do this in a group session, but can't here, obviously.
Fancy being a guinea pig for a little experiment? Thought you would

I would like to ask you a question, nothing personal, just a general question. What I would like you to do is write down, without thinking, the first 3 words that spring to mind immediately upon reading the question and post it back. No editing afterwards, or I'll have to put you in the dunce corner...




Here goes.

What do you think of when you say "mental health"?

[Holly]

Suicide is a growing problem among U.S. military. One third of the young men who take their own lives have never been deployed overseas. Clearly, the immediate leadership (sergeants and platoon commanders) are not picking up on signals and referring for evaluation and support.

[5intheface]

Suicide is a growing problem among U.S. military. One third of the young men who take their own lives have never been deployed overseas. Clearly, the immediate leadership (sergeants and platoon commanders) are not picking up on signals and referring for evaluation and support.

Was surprised to read yesterday that suicide rates in the north were highest in the 35-44 bracket which coincides with being born at the beginning and during the early and most violent years of the troubles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18969202

[C. Flower]

Was surprised to read yesterday that suicide rates in the north were highest in the 35-44 bracket which coincides with being born at the beginning and during the early and most violent years of the troubles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18969202

Traumatic things that happen in the early years tend to stick, unless people are lucky enough to get the right help.

[fluffybiscuits]

One thing I think Im going to give up is the drink. Had a wedding recently and a few parties and the whole thing just sent me in a spiral of unhappiness along side the physical sympthoms of the hangover. I am not depressed, never was but alcohol messes with my brain chemistry very badly so am going to see the doc this evening to find out and see if there is something I can do. Dont get me wrong I can go out and not drink but there are times when I just lose it! Hence why I was not on here the last week, alcohol is to blame for a lot of it (as well as being busy!!)

[fluffybiscuits]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...pact-recession

Economic factors to blame for rise in suicide...

[C. Flower]

One thing I think Im going to give up is the drink. Had a wedding recently and a few parties and the whole thing just sent me in a spiral of unhappiness along side the physical sympthoms of the hangover. I am not depressed, never was but alcohol messes with my brain chemistry very badly so am going to see the doc this evening to find out and see if there is something I can do. Dont get me wrong I can go out and not drink but there are times when I just lose it! Hence why I was not on here the last week, alcohol is to blame for a lot of it (as well as being busy!!)

People always used to say that alcohol was a mild depressant, but I read recently that a "binge" drinking session gives a short high followed by a deeper depression. This was based on neurological investigations (study of brain cells / chemistry).

[ZeroWedge]

One thing I think Im going to give up is the drink. Had a wedding recently and a few parties and the whole thing just sent me in a spiral of unhappiness along side the physical sympthoms of the hangover. I am not depressed, never was but alcohol messes with my brain chemistry very badly so am going to see the doc this evening to find out and see if there is something I can do. Dont get me wrong I can go out and not drink but there are times when I just lose it! Hence why I was not on here the last week, alcohol is to blame for a lot of it (as well as being busy!!)

+1

Do it. Give up. I did about 10 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

Alcohol is destroying ireland. Half the population are addicted. But nobody will admit it. The alcohol industry has normalised mass addicition. Theyve created a culture where its considered absolutely normal to get intoxicated on a mind altering drug.

Facts:
Most accidents in Ireland have alcohol involved.
Most rapes in Ireland have alcohol involved.
Most violent assaults in ireland have alcohol involved.

[C. Flower]

+1

Do it. Give up. I did about 10 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

Alcohol is destroying ireland. Half the population are addicted. But nobody will admit it. The alcohol industry has normalised mass addicition. Theyve created a culture where its considered absolutely normal to get intoxicated on a mind altering drug.

Facts:
Most accidents in Ireland have alcohol involved.
Most rapes in Ireland have alcohol involved.
Most violent assaults in ireland have alcohol involved.

Indeed. And just having one or two is easier said than done.

[ZeroWedge]

Indeed. And just having one or two is easier said than done.

Its socially difficult to be a moderate drinker in Ireland. People will consider it rude if you refuse to drink with them, even though youve already had two drinks with someone else.

Secondly, the serving sizes in ireland make it difficult to be a moderate drinker. Men are expected to drink pints even though it is a very large serving size. Ordering half pints can lead to raised eyebrows, jibes about being "gay" etc.

The only answer is to become a teetotaller. Its easier to be a teetotaller than a moderate drinker. The social expectations are different.