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dc.contributor.authorMaguire, Louie
dc.contributor.authorMockler, Dennis
dc.date.accessioned2016-03-07T12:23:49Zen
dc.date.available2016-03-07T12:23:49Zen
dc.date.issued2009-01en
dc.identifier.citationMaguire, L. & Mockler, D. (2009) Employment and social support: a survey of mental health service users in Galway city. Galway:HSE.en
dc.identifier.isbn978-1898098-11-9en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/600700en
dc.descriptionThe need for service user involvement in the mental health services is one of the cornerstones of the ‘Vision for Change’ strategy for Mental Health (Department of Health 2005). The aim of this survey is to assess the needs of mental health service users in the Galway City area. In order to achieve this end, one hundred and ten questionnaires were sent to individuals who have had contact with the mental health service. Fortyone questionnaires were returned. This represents a 37% response rate. This project is service user lead. The authors of this research paper are participants on a FÁS CE scheme which currently provides ten training places for service users with mental health difficulties at the Galway Training Centre, Merlin Park, Galway. From the results of the survey the following are the main findings: • The average age of respondents in the sample was 44.8 years. • The average length of time that respondents are in contact with the mental health services was 12.3 years. • The majority of respondents are single (63%). Only 14% are currently married. • Fifteen percent of the respondents are full time employed with 13% part time employed. • The majority of respondents were receiving Disability Allowance. • There were no respondents on the Government sponsored Back to Work Scheme. • The uptake of Government Employment schemes was low (FÁS/ Community Employment Scheme 17%, Job Initiative 2%). • Less than half the respondents do not leave their homes everyday. • Forty percent of the sample had no visit from other people during the week of the survey.The most frequent places people visited were ‘went shopping’ 83% followed by ‘the church’ at 72%. • Thirty one percent of respondents were communicating with people with similar experiences every day, 23% communicated 2-3 times a week. • Fifty percent of respondents would like to communicate ‘more often’ with other service users. • Seventy seven percent of the respondents agreed that communication with other service users helped them get better. • The top three activities in a Peer Support Centre in order of ranking were: a place to meet people with similar experiences, a place to promote recovery and a voice for service users. The following recommendations have been made: 1) There is a need to develop a clearer focus on the importance of employment for mental health service users. 2) Employment schemes need to be assessed to establish if they are meeting the needs of mental health service users. 3) Consideration should be given to utilising religious institutions to promote positive mental health. 4) Social isolation among people with mental health difficulties needs to be urgently addressed by the Community Mental Health Services. 5) Information, support and encouragement should be given to service users to use local facilities e.g. Sporting groups, libraries etc. 6) Consideration should be given to developing a peer support centre. The core activities of this centre should be to provide a place to meet people with similar experiences, to promote recovery and to give a voice to service users.en
dc.description.sponsorshipThe authors are grateful for the co-operation of all the service users who partook in this survey. We also thank the facilitators of the self help groups who distributed the questionnaires. Special thanks to Claire Dunne for proof reading, printing and assistance throughout the project. The authors also wish to acknowledge the support of HSE West and FAS throughout their work on this project.en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherHealth Service Executive (HSE West)en
dc.subjectMENTAL HEALTHen
dc.subjectMENTAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DISORDERen
dc.subjectSURVEYen
dc.subjectCOMMUNITY HEALTHen
dc.titleEmployment and social support: a survey of mental health service users in Galway cityen
dc.title.alternativeReport Prepared for: FÁS Galway, Galway Training Centre, and the Occupational Therapy Department, Galway Mental Health Services (HSE – West)en
dc.typeReporten
refterms.dateFOA2018-08-27T12:45:15Z


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