Mental Health and Substance Abuse Site Visits in Ireland - Wednesday, August 10, 2016

On Wednesday the institute participants were lucky enough to visit some local mental health treatment facilities in and around Dublin. Participants were able to visit a variety of facilities, including:

Crinan Youth Project 

Provides substance abuse treatment for youth aged 14-21 in inner city Dublin. There are very few job opportunities and pervasive poverty, so there is considerable marijuana and prescription drug use. The program is similar to the Salvation Army and is open to anyone who needs counseling. They have different levels of programs – there is a pre-program (to determine readiness for change), regular program (full time, day time), an aftercare program (focused on job connections) and post program (to support continued success). They emphasize positive reinforcement and any progress is considered a success. The agency receives funding from several different agencies. They offered play therapy, yoga, massage, accupunture, and group therapy.

St. Patricks Hospital - Willow Grove Adolescent Services

Provides mental health services to youth aged 12-18. It is a 14-bed unit paid for by insurance. They treat anxiety, depression, gender related challenges, eating disorders, and other mental health issues. Everyone working there had to be certified within the mental health profession. They worked on a multidisciplinary team and use multiple modalities to treat the youth, including DBT, CBT, and sensory rooms (lighting, music, calming scents). as The unit encourages each person who is discharging to create a ‘memory piece’ which is displayed for everyone to see and celebrate. They are focused on teaching practical skills, including vocational and life skills (e.g., cooking). The youth stay an average of 4-6 weeks and stay completely separate from the adult population. They have recreational activities, including sports, computers, and televisions. 

Coolmine Lodge

The only therapeutic residential treatment program community in Ireland based on the 12-step model of treating substance abuse (e.g., heroine). It is a 26-bed male facility with a waiting list, with a fairly high success rate (1/3). Two residents of the program escorted them around the program and shared part of their recovery stories. Everyone has a job within the program in order to learn skills (chef, gardener, administration, hen house). They work hard to be in positive mindset and support one another through the healing process. They also provide career counseling to support the men as they transition out of the program. There was an overarching theme around developing humility. There were positive quotes around the facility.

Ballymun Youth Action Project

Substance use facility with 7 incredibly passionate staff members who treat approximately 500 clients from “cradle to grave.” As a government funded program, they provide case management, substance use, and counseling. They provided considerable support to clients to help them meet their needs (addictions study classes, sporting events). They emphasized harm reduction and celebrated small successes. They also help with career related challenges and help them connect with job training. They also have an in-home mother and infant program for mothers who are still using substances. They have a memorial each year to celebrate the lives of anyone who has passed away in the past year within the community as well as an achievement ceremony to recognize successes.

Cross Care Haven House

Homeless shelter with 59 beds that treats adults with a dual diagnosis. They are accommodating to anyone who needs a place to stay, including overnight beds for people who just want to stay for one night. Families in need received hotel vouchers to stay in a hotel. They appeared to be ‘light years’ ahead of the homeless shelters within the U.S. They estimated there were around 5,000 homeless people in Dublin each night and all of them are accommodated from the various shelters throughout the city. They emphasize the harm reduction model and understand that individuals are likely to continue using substances. They also provide recreational activities for the individuals to use throughout the day or evening. They provided substance abuse counseling, a physician, social workers (who maintained a case load of 7 individuals), as well as vocational classes (how to work with copper) and cross care college (learn how to take care of your house, daily living skills, taking care of children). There was a genuinely caring attitude toward the individuals.