Mind Yourself press release Sept 2009
press release press release press release press release
MIND YOURSELF
Launch of
mental health and well-being information & self-help scheme
in Wexford Town library on Wednesday, 30th September 2009 at 7: 00 pm
Mind Yourself! is a scheme to promote mental health and well-being of individuals and families in County Wexford. Popular self-help books & DVDs in the public libraries help people to help themselves. The scheme was launched on Wednesday, 30th September 2009 and is available from all of County Wexford’s public libraries.
Books cover areas such as stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Parenting difficulties such as sibling rivalry & bullying are covered also. Books for children as well as adults are provided.
Borrowing from the library is free. All the books & DVDs are recommended by the staff of the HSE’s Wexford Psychology Unit.
“The Mind Yourself scheme is useful to everyone looking for assistance for themselves or a family member, as well as for people working in the community with people in need”, said Pauline Bryan from the HSE. “So the number of potential users of the scheme is vast. It also includes doctors, other health professionals, community workers, voluntary groups, teachers, employers and the clergy.”
Approximately a quarter of all patients attending GPs’ surgeries in Ireland have concerns about emotional or mental health issues, the most prevalent being anxiety and depression. GPs manage the care of many of these patients with limited resources. Even when people are referred, the waiting time to be seen by a psychologist is lengthy. Access to quality self-help materials means that referred individuals can actively engage in improving their mental health during this waiting time.
Also, for all the people who have not yet sought help and who are struggling alone with depression, anxiety or other issues covered by the Mind Yourself scheme, there are now excellent materials available for free from local public libraries.
Wexford Library Service is providing several copies of all the books, and there are over 100 titles recommended.
Launching the project, which is a shared initiative of the public library service and the HSE, Wexford County Council Chairman, Councillor Anna Fenlon noted how the Mind Yourself scheme feeds off the sometimes un-stated strengths of the public library service.
“People trust their local public library.
It is responsive, accessible and a safe place,” said Fenlon. “The public library is a perfect partner for a project such as Mind Yourself which needs privacy, discretion and a non-judgemental support for people and their families who are managing in difficult times at present.”
The Mind Yourself mental health and well-being support scheme has been developed over the past 12 months. It is modelled on international best practice. It will be monitored by the HSE and the library service and will be developed further in response to public need.
END
More information from
Wexford Libraries : Fionnuala Hanrahan 087 2070551 : Hazel Percival 053 91 21637
HSE, Wexford Adult Mental Health Service Sheila Kissane 0876297087 and Tanya Harris 087 9128968
