Free Amnesty Workshop on Mental Health system

Amnesty International is holding another free workshop tonight to highlight the issue of mental health prejudice and discrimination.

Where: Jigsaw Galway Galway, Fairgreen Road, Galway

When: 6pm-8pm, Tonight 25 October 2012

Tonight's workshop: Support groups and the mental health system

Interactive Q&A with mental health practitioners and service users from the Galway Community Mental Health Service and Grow Galway.

Everyone is welcome to attend and the events are free of charge.

Please register your interest by emailing amnestygalway@amnesty.ie

What to do if you are raped

What to do if you are raped

You do not need to make any decisions now about reporting the assault to the Gardaí or PSNI but it is a good idea to leave your options open. Here are some points to remember:

• Contact your local Rape Crisis Centre as soon as possible. The Galway Rape Crisis Centre helpline is 1800 355 355. A staff member will give you the information you need to help you make your decisions about what happens next and to support you in whatever you decide to do. This will include information about your nearest specialist Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) or PSNI Rape Suite.

• You can ask a friend to contact the Rape Crisis Centre for you or ask a friend to come with you.

• If you decide you might want to report the rape or sexual assault to the police, do not wash until after you have had a medical and forensic examination because important forensic evidence might be washed away.

• If you were attacked in your mouth and you want to report it, don't eat, drink, smoke or use toothpaste or mouthwash until samples have been taken from your mouth area.

• Do not throw out or wash underwear or clothes that you were wearing at the time of the assault as these will be needed for forensic examination.

For more information see Rape Crisis Network Ireland - I've just been raped



Related articles:

Rape and Alcohol 

"What do you do to avoid rape..."

Free Workshop - How to Relieve Study Pains, Cricks and Cramps

The run up to exam time is stressful enough without pain putting a spanner in the works. Unfortunately what we do to ourselves while studying such as prolonged periods sitting at desks and computers can lead to a myriad of problems such as back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome. Join registered osteopath Siobhán Doran as she explains why these problems occur and shows what you can do to alleviate them.

Workshop takes place on Monday 5^th November.

Time: 5.00 – 6.30pm

Venue: TB 303 (tower block off concourse)

Free workshop. Advance booking is required.

For more info and to book contact cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie

Competition - something to get you in the mood

Thanks to everybody for all the entries to the competition.  There’s still plenty of time to send a submission in. Make sure to read to have a read at the competition details. In the meantime here's a little something to get you all in the mood...

 

Study, Friends & Rewards

Friends are great when it comes to studying.

Arrange to study with someone or with a group.

However, whether studying by yourself or in a group do not let yourself be distracted. 

Set a timer for forty or fifty minutes and do that reading or writing. When time’s up reward yourself with a cuppa or a walk. Then do another forty or fifty minutes. You’ll be surprised how much you achieve if you just take your time and pace things. 

Remember to have a bigger reward planned for when you have finished a block of study. For ideas on treats and rewards see Celebrate 

The Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Manage Your Stress’ Booklet, which is available in the Wellness Centre also has great advice on giving yourself treats:

 ‘Whenever you are faced with a difficult challenge, plan to give yourself a treat afterwards. The possibilities are endless – a meal with a friend, a new item of clothing, a book, a relaxing bath or listening to music. Having something to look forward to will help you cope much better’ www.irishheart.ie

For more practical learning advice see:

TopTips for Note Taking in Lectures 

TopsTips for Research 

Youth Mental Health - free workshop tonight

Challenge Mental Health Prejudice and Discrimination

What: Amnesty International is holding a series of evening events to highlight the issue of mental health prejudice and discrimination.

Where: Jigsaw Galway, Fairgreen Road, Galway

When: 6pm-8pm, Thursdays 11, 18, 25 October and 1 November 2012

The workshop tonight, Thursday 18 October is on Youth Mental Health

Presentation by Jigsaw on the unique challenges and issues faced by young people and children with mental health difficulties.

Everyone is welcome to attend and the events are free of charge.

Please register your interest by emailing amnestygalway@amnesty.ie

Related article: Free Amnesty Workshops on Mental Health

The Dangers of ‘Modern’ Dancing!

While much is made of the cardiovascular, mental and social benefits of dancing, recent news reports would suggest there may be a darker side to this past time – particularly the more modern ‘contemporary’ kind of dancing.

Mr. Silage O’Drearie was a young County Galway farmer who decided one evening to go to a contemporary dance review. ‘He was thinking there would be a bit of nudity in it,’ explained his former wife, ‘so he need not spend the decoupling grant on the pornography . Well off he went, but didn’t he meet some young wans there who were of a bohemian inclination. And did they not persuade himself that he would enjoy the show more if he smoked a cigarette filled with marijuana – Mary Jane as it’s called up in Moycullen – and a sprinkle of Mexican Black Tar Heroin. 

‘He had a grand night and got home safe and well, but the next morning did he not have an awful look on him like he was thirsting for a drink all day but no amount of my lemonade could quench him. Well a week later there was himself sat on the sofa with the needle in his arm, glassy eyed and drooling every time he opened his mouth to quote William Burroughs. Well things went from bad to purgatorial. The cows went unmilked, the sheep unsheared, and my own needs went unattended to by his manhood for a twelve-month. The farm was ruined, and I forced to take a young Polish fellow to my bed for the sake of my constitution…’ To this day Mrs. Szymborska (formerly Mrs. O’Drearie) has not received a cent in compensation from the dance company that brought such trauma into her life! 

However, closer examination of the terrible events that befell Mr. O’Drearie would suggest that his problem was not caused by modern dancing. Rather his trouble was a result of his own expectations, compounded by his giving way to peer pressure. Instead of talking openly about sex with his wife, he went to a dance review; rather than coming home he tried to ingratiate himself, doubtless still hoping for sexual gratification, into a group of drug users. To put it bluntly Mr. Silage O’Drearie was a bit of a silly sod. 

Rather than lusting after dancers he should have tried a bit of dancing himself, preferably with his wife. Dancing, and indeed any kind of exercise, would have strengthened his bones, increased his heart and lungs and made his brain (and pecker) more agile.  As for drugs and sex the sad truth is that  – whether legal or illegal – chemicals can have a pretty bad effect on sexual performance. Too much alcohol can leave a man a bit floppy in his trousers . Continued alcohol use reduces the testosterone and his ability to be aroused, even by himself. More potent drugs  have an even greater impact, all of which leads to sexual frustration and mental suffering, which in turn can lead to an individual seeking solace with more chemicals legal and illegal.

Best advice: stay happy by resisting peer pressure