Participants required for social media experiment – Trinity College, Dublin

The Gillan Lab at Trinity College Dublin is looking for online participants for a brief experiment in predicting the onset of depression using Twitter. Our study aims to test if we can predict depressive episodes before they happen by studying how networks of symptoms (like mood and sleep) change as a person approaches the start of an episode. We are aiming to do this, using patterns of Twitter use and the kind of language used in Tweets.

The only formal requirements are that you are at least 18 years old, have been on Twitter for at least 1 year, and have at least 500 Tweets.

By clicking the experiment link below, you will be taken to the experiment’s home page. Please only use Chrome or Firefox and disable any pop-up blockers before continuing.

Should you require to contact the researcher for any concerns, please do so at usemybrainapp@gmail.com

The link to the experiment is below:

https://gillanlab.tchpc.tcd.ie/4000/TwitterStudy

Take My Hand – Dungarvan

A Dinner-Dance in aid of mental health services in the region.

When: 6th April

Where: Park Hotel Dungarvan

Click here for more information.

Mental Health Reform publish My Voice Matters research results

Shine welcomes the publication of the results of two national consultations carried out by Mental Health Reform. The My Voice Matters national consultation looks at people’s experiences of using mental health services in Ireland. The consultation also focuses on the experiences of family, friends and carers of mental health service users. This is the first national, large scale survey in recent years to examine the direct experiences of people who access both community and in-patient mental health services.

The findings from the surveys were mixed, with a number of beneficial services unavailable to both people with self experience and families, friends and carers. These services included; information, support and advice, talking therapy, access to specific services, out of hours / crisis support services and Peer support.

Recommendations from the results of the consultation need to be implemented through the development of a time-lined action plan in 2019. The Minister with responsibility for mental health should ensure accountability in the implementation of these recommendations though ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

For more information and to download a copy, click here.