On November 25, the International Day Opposing Violence Against Women, the 16 Days of Action campaign will be launched both internationally and within Ireland. Over 2,000 groups in 150 countries worldwide will organise a range of events to raise public awareness of the staggering levels of domestic abuse against women. The campaign will conclude on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. By Justin Frewen.
It is critical that suicide prevention initiatives are person-centred and place those requiring support at the centre of the process. By Justin Frewen and Dr. Anna Datta.
Tackling the stigma associated with mental health difficulties is the first step to success. By Justin Frewen.
See Change is a new nationwide partnership established to tackle stigma and the attendant discrimination faced by mental health service users. It comprises an alliance of various organisations that have come together through the National Stigma Reduction Partnership to effect positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health problems.
Stigma is central in overcoming mental health issues and there is a need for an effective community mental health system. By Justin Frewen and Dr. Anna Datta.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stigma and the associated discrimination comprise the "single most important barrier" facing mental health service users. The WHO, World Psychiatry Association and World Association for Social Psychiatry, amongst others, have highlighted stigma as a key public health challenge.
The horrific earthquake that struck Haiti in January this year dominated media headlines for several weeks. Newspapers and television were choc-a-bloc with images of people being rescued from the rubble and accounts of personal as well as reporting the obstacles encountered by those trying to deliver aid to the victims.
Corporate wrongdoers should be held fully accountable, both in terms of financial responsibility and for the actions of their executives. By Justin Frewen.
Almost 26 years ago a poisonous cloud of methyl isocyanate poured forth from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India. On the night of 3 December 1984, some 4000 people lost their lives and a further 300,000 were injured. The people of Bhopal received no warning, as the plants safety systems failed and no alarm was given. An Amnesty report estimated the death toll had risen to 22,000 by 2004.
The Addergoole 14 should be commemorated not only in terms of the momentous loss which still haunts the tight knit community of Addergoole but also as a reminder of the harsh reality of emigration. By Justin Frewen.
Ireland appears intent on restricting young migrants from participating in our sporting life. By Justin Frewen.
Generally regarded as no-hopers, the German football team became one of the biggest success stories at the recent World Cup. Moreover, they played an exhilarating brand of football, scoring four goals against England and Argentina and another three in the third place play-off.
Absence of contemporary mental health capacity litigation weakens the rights of those with mental health difficulties. By Justin Frewen and Dr. Anna Datta.
In the first part of this two part mini-series on domestic abuse in Ireland we looked at the reality of domestic abuse and the scale of the problem in Ireland. In this final part, we will look at what might be done to help support the victims of such abuse. By Justin Frewen.
Over 200,000 Irish women live in fear of being abused by their current or ex-husbands, partners or boyfriends. The shocking truth is that women run a greater risk of being abused by someone they know than from any stranger.