Youth mental health is a key health priority in Ireland; early intervention, engagement and innovation are central to its promotion.
The Third National Research Conference in Ireland on Youth Mental Health will focus on this key theme. Hosted by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) and Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick (UL), it will present insights, perspectives, and valuable updates.
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| Ian Kelleher, Winner of the the 2011 Eadbhard O’Callaghan Youth Mental Health Research Award with Professor Mary Cannon, RCSI. |
The day’s key aim of encouraging research by under- and postgraduate students and trainees will again provide the platform for presentation of projects and, importantly, recognise the most excellent piece of research work with the award of “Annual ACAMH Youth Mental Health Research Prize”, in memory of the late Professor Eadbhard O’Callaghan and in recognition of his outstanding contribution to mental health in young people. In an innovative development, young people will be highly involved with the organisation and delivery of the conference.
Conference organising committee chair, Walter Cullen (UL Professor of General Practice and GP) states: ‘UL, the Midwest region and ACAMH are delighted to come together to host this important meeting – mental health is a major challenge for our population’s national health, especially here in the Midwest, and this conference will showcase some of the excellent work being carried out by colleagues, associations and health agencies to address this issue. We are especially honoured that the prestigious Eadbhard O’Callaghan Memorial Prize will be awarded for work presented on the day’.
Speaking at the announcement of the programme for this year’s conference, Mary Cannon, RCSI Professor of Psychiatry and Secretary of ACAMH Special Interest Group on Youth Mental Health states “we hope to showcase research and innovation relevant to youth mental health. Our first two conferences promoted interaction between all stakeholders, especially researchers and young people, and dialogue between young people, researchers and policy makers will remain at the forefront of this year’s programme”.
The conference will be opened by Dan Neville T.D (Deputy Mental Health Spokesperson), and Don Barry, President, UL. Confirmed keynote speakers include Ella Arensman (Director of Research, National Suicide Research Foundation), Bob Illback (Deputy CEO, Headstrong), Eric Taylor (Emeritus Professor of Child Psychiatry, King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry), Mary Clarke (Clinical Lead, DETECT), and Ian Daly (HSE Mental Health Clinical Lead).
Interactive Workshops invite delegates to explore in greater depth, the key themes of ‘Disadvantage and its Impact on Youth Mental Health’ (UL-based Orla Muldoon, Professor of Psychology, Sarah Jay, Post-Grad Scholar and Jan Klimas, Postdoctoral Researcher and Cochrane Fellow) and ‘Technology and Youth Mental Health’ (Director of Programmes and Policy Derek Chambers and Research & Evaluation Officer Fenella Murphy, Inspire Ireland; Aleisha Clarke, Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI; and Gavin Doherty, TCD School of Computer Science and Statistics). In addition, Colman Noctor (Psychotherapist, St Patrick’s University Hospital) will launch ‘The Way Forward, Young People and their Parents’ Experiences of Youth Mental Health Services’.
Further information:
Walter Cullen, Professor of General Practice, UL. walter.cullen@ul.ie
Ingrid King, Executive Director, ACAMH ingrid.king@acamh.org.uk; www.acamh.org.uk
Mary Cannon, Dept Psychiatry RCSI; Secretary, ACAMH Special Interest Group: marycannon@rcsi.ie
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