Self-Harm Awareness Conference
Information Day for Teachers
The “Primary Schools Counselling Study: Demand and Provision of School-Based Counselling in Ireland” report was also launched at this time. Written and researched by Professor Rosaleen McElvaney of Dublin City University (DCU), this report was funded by SPMHS. The report aimed to highlight the issues facing young students and the need for mental health counsellors in primary schools
The information day also offered an opportunity to present on the mental health awareness training for parents of primary school children, which we developed in partnership with the National Parents Council (NPC). On the day, Áine Lynch, CEO of the NPC, discussed this initiative, which supports parents to encourage positive mental health and wellbeing in their children, and promotes resilience-building in children to help them to manage the day-to-day stresses of life.
Founder’s Day
The theme was “Food for Thought – Eating Disorders in a Modern Society”. Founder’s Day is a prestigious event in the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) calendar which promotes the SPMHS brand of excellence. Professor Janet Treasure from Kings College delivered the keynote speech at the conference, which was attended by over 200 delegates.
Domestic Violence and Women’s Mental Health Seminar
In support of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, this one-day interdisciplinary event focused on strengthening responses within health services to domestic violence and women’s mental health issues.
GP Information Programme
A new GP portal was launched on the redeveloped SPMHS website in February, which provides GPs with access to CPD accredited films produced by SPMHS. The films rolled out on the portal during 2018 include “Adolescent Mental Health” with Dr Aileen Murtagh; “Anxiety Presentations in Primary Care” with Dr Michael McDonough; “GP and Physician Mental Health” with Professor Jim Lucey; “Successful Aging and Life Skills for Older People”, with Dr Declan Lyons; and “Compassion Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders” with Dr Clodagh Dowling.