1. Unit 1, 2 Parker Hill, Lower Rathmines Road, Rathmines, D6
Grassroots Forum Mental Health Reform June Issue
On Tuesday April 24th I took part in the Grassroots forum with Mental Health Reform (MHR) to represent
Project Worker Position Can
somebody from Gateway and also as someone who also has experience of mental ill health. The meeting
was facilitated by Shari McDaid the Policy Officer with MHR, who has a wealth of experience in the field you see yourself as a project
of mental health. worker? Why not try it out and
potentially fill the role from Oc-
MHR is a national organisation consisting of twenty three groups, one of which is Gateway. MHR came
together to promote a public voice for people with mental health. A Vision for change (AVFC) published in tober for six months. If you are
2006 is a national policy to change the mental health services in Ireland. MHR campaigning is grounded in interested talk to any of the pro-
this government policy and to be implemented at latest by 2016. MHR are about trying to get better mental ject workers about it.
health services. Their vision is that people can recover good health and live their lives to the fullest and can
be full citizens in their community. They propose that mental health services should be local to people and Pool Competition: Chris A was
that everybody should have good quality services too. MHR are also involved in political work such as the lucky winner of May’s pool
lobbying politicians, they have a cross party group made up of politicians that come together to talk about competition! Next competition is
mental health.
on June 21st!!!
In a nutshell Mental Health Reform is an organisation made up of twenty three services looking to improve
mental health services and implement A Vision for Change. “Mental Health Reform’s vision is for an Ire- Answers to Questions Gateway
land where people experiencing mental health difficulties achieve and enjoy their right to the highest attain- Sent to Ministers. Last month a
able standard of mental (and physical) health.” Helen M group of Gateway members got
together and spoke about the
mental health act and questions
Because Culture Belongs to Us that arose from that were sent in
The above named art exhibition and cultural event showcased the talents of people involved in CDVEC written form to some Ministers.
funded groups in the Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 areas of this city. Gateway got some answers back
from these Ministers. We are
It took place at “The Coach House”, Dublin Castle between the 8th and 10th of May 2012. planning to meet on the 7th of
Included in the Art Exhibition, which was the main focus of the few days, were a number of art pieces cre- June at 3.30 in drop –in to discuss
ated by members of the Gateway art class. There was nearly 200 pieces of art on exhibition and it was a the answers we received. Hope to
beautiful show of people’s talent and creativity. see you there.
I attended on Wednesday 9th of May between 12 noon and 2pm when there was a choir performance and Indian Head Massage:
numerous writers read pieces of their written work. Happening on the last Monday of
The “Riverside Singers” from the Ringsend area sang an excellent selection of musical pieces ranging from the month, June 25th. We now
across the spectrum. The 40 strong choir delivered their songs with beauty and humour. They were well use fluffy blankets and candles to
received by the audience. make it nice and cosy!!!
Next a number of written pieces were recited by their authors. Included was Teresa from the Friday after- Relaxation and Meditation:
noon creative writing class who read an excerpt of a book she is currently working on. Just to say well done Relaxation and meditation will
to her and also to the artists who were on exhibit at The Coach House during May. Your work was brilliant! continues on into June. Come
The “Coach House” is a fantastic venue: bright, spacious and welcoming. along on Monday’s from 3.45-
4.45pm!
Finally thanks to “The Adult Education Service” at the C.D.V.E.C. who’s funding enables the various
classes to take place. There will be an 8 week WRAP
Overall a great event and venue. Richard M (Wellness Recovery Action Plan-
ning) Saturday group starting on
the 30th of June. Please contact
Free Mindfulness Training for Workers (Gateway would be happy if any member would like to do this
training and be able to do mindfulness sessions within Gateway). Martha on 01 4965558 for infor-
mation.
VENUE: The Wisdom Centre, Cork Street, Dublin 8
DATES: Fridays, 6, 13, 20, 27 July and 3, 10, 17, 24 August
Participants are requested to attend at least six out of the eight weeks and to choose which session they
wish to attend, either 10.30am-1pm or 2pm-4.30pm.
GROUP: Small group 10-12 participants
TIMES: 10.30am to 1pm or 2.00pm to 4.30pm
HOURS: 20 contact hours, Certificate issued on completion of course
FEE: Free to voluntary staff in community mental health projects
CONTACT: Gerry Cunningham, MIAHIP, Member of Oxford University Tel: 087 7989 301
info@mindfulpsychology.or

2. Get to know your member!
Each month we will ask a member questions about themselves. This is called ‘Get to
know your member’. This months piece is about Samo H
1. What do you like about being a member in Gateway?
11 Wynnfield Road Everything in general.
Rathmines 2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Dublin 6 01 4965558 I am happy in my job as an event advisor.
www.projectgateway.blogspot.com 3. Where is your favourite place in the world?
The views expressed or otherwise stated in Dublin!
this Newsletter are the views of the
4. Tell us something that nobody knows about you?
contributors and not necessarily the views of
the Gateway Project.
Assertiveness and Confi-
Theatre Review-‘Ergophobia’ at the Sean O’Casey theatre (Grumble Theatre Company) dence Building
Ergophobia , according to the program, is the fear or aversion to work. This is a 21 week course
So, I embarked on a fact-finding mission during the Five Lamps Festival in April, to see if I could shed any light around assertiveness and
on the situation, as well as the state of the nation. confidence building it hap-
The theatre is located in Dublin’s North Wall, so it was a job to find: I employed a map, bus and red line Luas, pens every Wednesday and
setting out early to be on time for the work at hand. I alighted at Spencer Dock in the ultra-modern docklands Friday during July, August,
with uncertainty, then literally crossed the rubicon (East Wall Road) from what feels like another city into what September, October and
could be ‘another world’. Old Dublin, a port village at the mouth of the Liffey, seemed like a toy town. A calm ends on the 23rd of Novem-
descended on me in the fading Monday evening light, as tea-time sounds emerged from some of the open doors ber. This is a FETAC ac-
of the terraced houses. There was a certain kindness in the air and the atmosphere of the place tasted centuries credited course For more
old. There were a lot of walls that led through complicated lanes leading to North Wall. A group of youngsters information talk to a project
resting on a wall said ‘hello’. worker at drop in or contact
The central dilemma of tonight’s play concerned the two extremes in attitude towards the job search : the one Martha on 01 4965558
frantically seeking work, and confounded, while the other carefully avoids it, by taking it easy. The pair of ac-
tors became more and more comic as they warmed to the material, rich with gags and killer blows, they made
Counselling ‘My Mind’ My
hay with the fantastic dialogue. Of course, the two had to assume several roles each in order to cover all the
Mind in Ranelagh are still
characters.
offering discounted counsel-
The one’s unceasing job interviews were in earnest and nerve-wracking. The letters of refusal were familiar and
ling services. Vouchers are
side-splitting to watch his face as he reacted to their content and cliched polite form.
still available to Gateway
Meanwhile, the other walked around his flat in his boxers fantasising about how great he was going to be, as he
members. The cost is €10
cracked open the tins of beer. The friends had to talk to each other on the phone so as to economise their ener-
per session for 5 sessions.
gies, and because they couldn’t afford to go anywhere anyway.
For more information con-
Unable to comprehend why he won’t get a job, his posh parents force the idler to consult a psychiatrist!
tact Mary Barnes on 01
Our triers sustained efforts, on the other hand, amount to naught, finally wearing him down. We watch him
4965558. Gateway does not
buckling under the strain of his own dogmatism, all the diligent application and consequent failures. The poor
endorse any particular ther-
man cannot cope with the frustration.
apy and respects the choice
The loafer’s parents catch on to him, and so do the welfare. On reflection, he probably wrote the play; while our
of Gateway members.
serial job candidate loses the plot!
Thanks to ESB Aid fund.
It’s not funny, but that was over the top. Nessa J
Classic Irish Comedies are
Independent Monitoring Group Consultation Meeting Monday 30th April 2012 with members of the Na- holding events on the 2nd of
tional Service Users Executive and Mental Health Reform. June, 23rd of June and 28th
The meeting provided people who use the mental health services to feedback on any progress, or lack of pro- of July all at 7.30pm in the
gress, on the implementation of Vision for Change (current government policy to establish more progressive and Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell
recovery oriented services). The meeting was opened by John Saunders, Chair of the Independent Monitoring Square and no advance
Group and co-facilitated by John Redican, CEO of NSUE. We spent the morning discussing the realities of the booking is required. Admis-
services for people seeking support in terms of alternatives to the medication only route and whether community sion €5.
based services were actually in existence or being developed in line with policy.
It was disheartening that much of the feedback showed there has been little progress made on the ground. Peo-
ple complained that alternatives like counselling, WRAP and other recovery supports were not offered generally Random Notes is a radio
as they were simply not available for many people, especially for those living outside Dublin. The general group show presented by Richard
feedback related to the medical model still being dominant within the services with the idea of recovery, and the M every second Wednesday
resources needed to support it, still receiving little to no support. The participants also discussed a lack of pro- between 9pm to 10.30pm on
gress and funding for community based services and acknowledged that many people were still having to attend near 90.3FM and
emergency departments, hospitals and use day services attached to clinical services instead of receiving more www.near.ie/livestream.
person centred, appropriate supports within their communities. One social worker commented, "community Next few shows broadcast
teams exist on paper but in practice are not actually operating in the community." on 13/6/12; 27/6/12.;
The last hour provided people with the chance to raise other issues not raised in the workshops. These related to 11/7/12; 25/7/12. Hope that
the use of forced ECT, the need for independent complaints, why care plans were not working, the potential you can listen in. Email:
impact of the new Irish legal capacity bill and the need for Advance Directives among other important topics. In randomnotez@GMX.com
reality there was not enough time for the open floor discussion and some questions remain unanswered. How-
ever, it was still important to be involved and be consulted on the realities of the services. We need more oppor- Joke of the month
tunities to have our voices heard. Join NSUE online (www.nsue.ie), get involved with Mental Health Reform's
Knock Knock, Who’s there,
Agenda for Action (www.mentalhealthreform.ie)and join Ireland's fastest growing self experienced movement Anna, Anna who?
seeking creative pathways through emotional distress at www.criticalvoicesnetwork.com Our future is in our Anna one, anna two Mary Q
hands, get active and have your voice heard today! Fionn F