Spring 2013 Interim Meeting, The Old Schoolhouse, Bellurgan

The interim meeting took place in the old schoolhouse, Bellurgan, on an arctic easterly dry afternoon, 23 February 2013.  The meeting which lasted less than an hour commenced at 14.00.

Apologies from Joan Hardy, mentor, and Michael Farrelly, vice-chairperson.

Attendance: Anne M. Muldowney,chairperson; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD Ph D, joint treasurer; Kevin McGeough, joint treasurer; Seán Crudden, secretary.

The secretary read his journal for 21/22/23/24 January 2013 the time he attended the European Patients’ Forum seminar in Hotel Bloom, Brussels.  The theme of the seminar was around eHealth.  There were no comments on the reading.

The meeting decided unanimously that Seán Crudden, on behalf of IMPERO, should continue to participate in the UN on-line consultations about “The World We Want 2015.”

The result of last year’s IMPERO application for ECOSOC consultative status with the UN should come out later on this year.

The Cooley Environmental and Health Group’s winter workshop “Mental Health: Peers in Progress” held on 26 January 2013 was well attended, up to standard, helpful to IMPERO.  The chairperson drew attention to a peer initiative in The Community School, Tralee, Co Kerry.  It was resolved to request Michael Corrigan whose paper to the workshop was impressive to handle the  Peers in Progress initiative on behalf of IMPERO.  The feeling of the meeting was that we should start close to home by consulting Co. Louth VEC.

It was decided to try to make an application to The Community Foundation for Ireland for funding to run an educational project on Stigma.

Reporting on the affairs of the joint policing committee for North Louth and Dundalk the Archbishop called for more constructive meetings.

The meeting approved the secretary’s initiative and discussions with Sinéad Fearon of Co. Louth VEC concerning an adult education proposal.

The secretary informed the meeting that he had a phone call before lunch from Erik Olsen, chairperson of ENUSP.  Erik was calling from The Gibson Hotel, Dublin, where he is attending an event organised by the European Disability Federation.  Erik is staying in Jury’s Hotel, Parnell Street.

Seán and the Archbishop will attend a Smashing Times drama school, 8/9 March 2013, in the Town Hall, Dundalk.  The theme of the school is the question whether women are victims or agitators?

The nomination of Dermot Mooney for election to the disability pillar of Co. Louth Community and Voluntary Forum was approved.

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EPF eHealth Seminar; Hotel Bloom, Brussels, 23 January 2013

The European Patients’ Forum seminar was subtitled “The way towards large-scale deployment of eHealth: where do patients stand?”

The final speaker at the forum who presented on the topic “Setting up a multi-stakeholder platform on eHealth” was Elena Bonfiglioli of Microsoft.  She is pictured below with Seán Crudden, secretary, Irish Mental Patients’ Educational and Representative Organisation (IMPERO).

The final session was chaired by Nicola Bedlington, The Director, EPF.

Autumn Interim Meeting: 13 October 2012

Autumn Interim Meeting 2012

The Autumn 2012 interim meeting of IMPERO took place in the old school, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, at 14.00 on Saturday 13 October 2012. The meeting lasted about 1 hour.

Present: Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney, chairperson; Archbishop Michael D. Hynes OMD PhD, joint-treasurer; Joan Hardy, mentor; Seán Crudden, secretary; Eric Cuthbert.

Apologies: Edward S. Crudden; Kevin McGeough, joint-treasurer; Michael Farrelly, vice chairperson; Dermot Mooney, joint-treasurer.

The meeting opened with a prayer recited by the secretary.

Those attending watched a film profiling IMPERO. The film had the advantage that it was short. The secretary suggested that IMPERO should make use of the opportunity, if one arose, to make another short film.

The secretary reported that IMPERO has lodged an application for ECOSOC status with the UN.

The secretary reported that changes in the leadership of ENUSP are currently taking place. He will not be attending the forthcoming conference of ENUSP in Zagreb from 19 to 21 October.

The secretary undertook to organise a meeting of joint treasurers of IMPERO in the wake of the meeting of Cooley Environmental and Health Group which is slated for 25 November 2012.

It was felt that medicine is an inaccurate form of science. Practitioners are not going to rock the boat. Money is a big consideration in psychiatry. “Incorporate scientific thinking into the medical world to create a more positive outcome for the patient,” is the way the chairperson summed up the discussion.

“Mental Health: Peers in Progress,” is the title of the 13^th annual winter workshop to be run by Cooley Environmental and Health Group which will take place on 26 January 2013. The basic conundrum is, “How do you help people?” the secretary suggested. He mentioned the 5^th and 6^th Stations of The Cross: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross; Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. “Simon and Veronica are the two most loved saints in the New Testament,” Seán stated, “because the help they gave was direct, practical, uncomplicated.” Several members of IMPERO present indicated that they would be participating in the workshop

Reporting about the North Louth Joint Policing Committee of which he is a member the Archbishop, who is the IMPERO representative on the committee, mentioned contradictory statistics, unreported crime, intimidation, twisting figures. The committee meets 4 times per year in The Town Hall, Dundalk. The next committee meeting will be followed by a public meeting.

The Spring interim meeting was fixed for 14.00 on 23 February 2013 in The Old Schoolhouse, Bellurgan. It was suggested that those attending might bring some food, etc.

Annual Assembly 16 June 2012

Minutes

Annual Assembly of IMPERO, Saturday 16 June 2012

The Strand, Omeath, Co Louth.

Agenda

1. Minutes of the previous annual assembly held in Omeath on 12 June 2011
2. Election of officers
3. Discussion of activities during the past year. See https://imperodotorg.wordpress.com
4. To read and adopt a written constitution
5. Annual account
6. Application for ECOSOC status with the UN
7. Funding
8. Human Rights
9. Strategy for 2012/2013 and beyond
10. Any other business

The assembly commenced at 14.00 immediately following a communal meal of brown bread and butter, chips, ham salad, tea, trifle and cream. The meeting which was fluent and interesting concluded at 15.20. The secretary recited grace after meals at the start of the meeting and the archbishop spoke a short extempore prayer at the end.

Present: Anne M. Muldowney, chairperson; Seán Crudden, secretary; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, joint treasurer; Dermot Mooney, vice-chairperson; Kevin Hynes; Mary O’Shea, Omeath Active Retirement Association, delegate observer; Michael Farrelly; Kevin McGeough, joint treasurer; Eric Cuthbert.

Apologies: Joan Hardy, mentor; Edward S. Crudden

The minutes of the previous annual assembly were read aloud by the secretary and adopted on the proposal of the archbishop seconded by Dermot Mooney.

Joan Hardy will continue as mentor having been installed for a minimum of 2 years at the last annual assembly.

The secretary reported that he had visited Ita Daly in Omagh on 17 August 2011 and again on 8 June 2012. She is willing to continue as president and the assembly unanimously agreed that she should be president for the coming year.

The secretary also reported that he had visited Bishop Tom Daly’s grave in Clostohen on 31 May 2012 almost a year to the day after Tom’s funeral. He passed round a photo of the headstone.

The following team of officers suggested by the secretary was ratified for the coming year: chairperson, Anne Muldowney; vice-chairperson, Michael Farrelly; secretary, Seán Crudden; joint treasurers, Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes, Dermot Mooney, Kevin McGeough: on the proposal of Kevin Hynes seconded by Eric Cuthbert. In addition it was agreed that the others to be members of the committee of IMPERO for the coming year would be: Kevin Hynes, Eric Cuthbert, Edward S. Crudden

The secretary read out loud the written constitution he was proposing for IMPERO. It was unanimously adopted by the assembly on the proposal of the archbishop seconded by Dermot Mooney.

The secretary reported that the balance on IMPERO’s account in Ulster Bank, Dundalk, stood currently at €86.85, before today’s expenses have been discharged. Basically a zero position.

The secretary requested a written financial account for the year ending 31 May 2012 necessary to complete the application for ECOSOC status with the UN.

The chairperson stressed the urgency of fundraising and some possibilities were discussed.

The secretary tried to explain why the UNCRPD had not been fully ratified by Ireland. He pointed out that Irish Law some of it very old was not in harmony with CRPD (Convention on the rights of people with disabilities) and that laws on legal/mental capacity and The Mental Health Act 2001 would have to be reviewed and rewritten at least to some extent to bring Irish law into harmony with the convention. The secretary also read aloud a letter from Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children inviting views on the welfare of children. The secretary pointed out that psychiatry was increasing its profile among children and he wondered if all this was compromising children’s human rights? Anne undertook to answer the minister’s survey.

There were no major decisions or suggestions on strategy. The secretary said the outing to Conca Wood golf club on Mayday this year was enjoyable and liberating. He suggested an outing to Monasterboice next Mayday with maybe a few cars or a small bus. Someone remarked that the mentally ill are not assertive and are not noticed.

The next interim meeting was fixed for Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Co. Louth, at 14.00 on 13 October 2012. The next annual assembly was fixed for the afternoon of 15 June 2013, in The Strand.

The archbishop pointed out that the annual winter workshop to be held by Cooley Environmental and Health Group on Saturday 26 January 2013 in The Strand would address the theme, “Mental Health; Peers in Progress.”

Spring 2012 Interim Meeting, IMPERO.

The Spring 2012 interim meeting of IMPERO took place in Jenkinstown Church, on Saturday 18 February 2012, commencing at 14.00 with hymns accompanied by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD on the church organ. The following hymns were sung

· God of Mercy and Compassion

· He Is Lord

· Soul of My Saviour.

The rest of the meeting took place in the meeting room within Our Lady of The Wayside Church from about 14.20 until 15.50.

Attendance: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, joint-treasurer; Seán Crudden, secretary; Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney, chairperson; Eric Cuthbert.

Apologies: Kevin McGeough, joint-treasurer; Joan Hardy, mentor; Dermot Mooney, vice-chairperson; Kevin Hynes; Teddy Crudden; Michael Farrelly.

The chairperson welcomed those present and thanked them for attending.

The secretary read a short and friendly e-mail from Gabriela Tanasan, chairperson ENUSP, with greetings and good wishes for today’s meeting

The secretary summarised the business of the previous meeting held on 29 October 2011.

The secretary read his journal for 4 days from 20 to 23 January 2012 covering his visit to Budapest to attend the ENUSP seminar on strategy and rebuilding. “It was very detailed,” the chairperson remarked afterwards.

The archbishop reported that a meeting of North Louth Joint Policing committee was slated for Monday night. He was asked to make it explicit at every opportunity that he was nominated to the committee by IMPERO. The archbishop undertook to report in writing to the secretary.

The following are some phrases from the discussion on human rights

· Declaration on Human Rights

· Formula UN

· Multi racial multi cultural society

· Above law

· Live and let live

· Entitled to live the way they please

· No compulsion

· History of person

· Psychiatric assessment

· Arrested for starters

· Who is to know?

· Doctors are perfect

· Drink

· Discrimination mental health

· Dr. and chemist in Carlingford discriminate on grounds of mental health

· Doctors have no right to discriminate

· Ways around the law

· Writing laws is no use

· What is education? Bring one to full knowledge and truth

· More truth in England than Ireland

· People must seek truth

The secretary described his recollection of the death of Saddam Hussein as he saw it on television in the White Elephant Lounge, a room in his house. He said the United Nations had sponsored recent dirty wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya. “Where is the truth in CRPD or any of their provisions about human rights?” the secretary asked. He concluded, “I have no worries about my human rights at this meeting because I am dealing with decent people.”

The secretary read an e-mail from Professor Dennis Pringle, Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth, commenting on the Peers in Progress proposal. It was encouraging but it was decided to take it easy and try to get a few people involved locally, like Michael Farrelly and Gráinne Kellet, before writing on behalf of IMPERO to the adult education department in NUI Maynooth. The Cooley Environmental and Health Group will be organising their 13^th annual winter workshop in January 2013 on the theme, “Peers in Progress.” The next Cooley Environmental and Health Group meeting is slated for 4 March 2012 starting at 10.00 in The Strand, Omeath, Co. Louth.

The IMPERO account had not been shifted from Ulster Bank to the Post Office. It was decided to let the matter rest and keep the account in Ulster Bank.

It was decided that a bus trip be organised to Concra Wood GC on 1 May 2012.

The annual assembly of IMPERO was fixed for 14.00 on Saturday 9 June 2012. Venue to be decided later. If a meal is provided it will commence at 13.00 on the day.

Autumn Interim Meeting of IMPERO; 29 October 2011; Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Co. Louth

The meeting commenced at 14.00 and concluded at 15.00.  Seán Crudden accompanied on the organ by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD sang Soul of My Saviour in the main body of the church before the meeting started in the meeting room.  He also too a few photos; some inside and some outside; after the conclusion of the meeting.

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The meeting commenced at 14.00 and concluded at 15.00.

Present: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD (joint-treasurer); Kevin McGeough BBS (joint treasurer); Seán Crudden B.Sc., H Dip. in Ed. (secretary)

Apologies: Anne Muldowney (chairperson); Dermot Mooney (vice-chairperson); Joan Hardy (mentor).

The position regarding IMPERO’s application under the Tús scheme was reviewed.  It was decided to take no action pending further progress from the organisers.

It was decided to make no nomination on behalf of IMPERO for the election of a director,  representing the disability pillar of County Louth Community and Voluntary Forum, onto the Louth Leader Partnership Board.

An e-mail from Michal Caletka, Czech Republic, was read regarding drug trial protocols.  It was recognised that research and development is the life-blood of the pharmaceutical industry and, in general, drugs like Tsabri can improve the quality of life although the experience of mental patients is that psychiatric medication often or always has the opposite effect.  Most research and development of pharmaceuticals goes on in Ireland.  Is research to be stopped?  “A counsel of despair for pharma to rest on it’s psychiatric oars at this stage?” the secretary commented.

The Peers-in-Progress proposal, brain child of Berthold Koesel, was discussed.  How do you help?  Family support.  Aggressive outreach teams.  Independent counsellor.  Support.  Depressed?  What do you do?  Best of intentions.  Civilised community e.g. Plymouth Brethren.  The secretary was instructed to write to Dennis Pringle in NUI Maynooth and to Colm McCourt in Ó’Fiaich College to canvass the idea of developing an education/training model in the area of personal assistant/peer support.

An e-mail from the college of psychiatry in Trinity College was read; about setting up a consultative forum for mental patients and family of patients.  The meeting was not impressed.

The secretary outlined a number of recent resignations from the board of ENUSP; Greece, Germany, Belgium, Central Europe.  The work of selecting replacement board members is going on and a pan-European convention is being organised for October 2012.

It was decided to open a Post Office account and to fold IMPERO’s bank a/c.

The secretary was instructed to convey written congratulations to President Michael D Higgins on his recent election, exhorting him to keep mental health top of his agenda.

The next meeting of IMPERO was fixed provisionally for 14.00 on 25 February 2012 in the meeting room within Our Lady of The Wayside Church.  This will be the Spring interim meeting.

The secretary expressed thanks to Fr. Pádraig Murphy D.D., P.P., for giving IMPERO permission to use the meeting room in Our Lady of The Wayside Church for today’s meeting.

Seán Crudden read dramatically his article Clerical Child Sexual Abuse which he posted on indymedia.ie at the end of the summer.  There was no comment.

General Meeting 12 June 2011

General Meeting of IMPERO, The Strand Hotel, Omeath, Co Louth, Ireland.

Sunday 12 June 2011.

Agenda

1. Read and adopt minutes of general meeting 2010 held on 12 June 2010

2. Matters arising including election of officers

3. Read minutes of interim meeting held on 19 February 2011

4. Matters arising

5. Correspondence

6. Report on ENUSP/MHE capacity building conference, Brussels, 19 to 22 May 2010

7. “Peers in Progress”

8. Application for researcher under new program, Tús, being administered by Louth Leader Partnership

9. Sponsorship

10. Suicide prevention

11. Strategy

12. Web-site

13. Finance

14. Fix date and venue for the next interim meeting and also for the general meeting 2012.

15. Any other business

The meeting commenced at 13.00 with grace before meals recited by Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes. All present tucked in to a substantial and tasty meal: salad and chips; tea, bread and butter; apple tart and ice-cream.

Present: Seán Crudden, secretary; Mrs Anne M Muldowney, chairperson; Kevin Hynes; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, vice chairperson; Dermot Mooney; Maureen Martin, delegate from Omeath Active Retirement Association; Mona Daly, do.

Apologies: Kevin McGeough, joint treasurer; Joan Hardy, mentor. Kevin was attending the Louth v Carlow match in Portlaoise, Joan was attending her godson’s 5^th birthday party.

Maureen is secretary of Omeath Active Retirement Association, Mona is treasurer. Dermot is a member of the patient and client council attached to the Southern Health Board, NI, which deals with health and social services.

Archbishop Hynes gave a summary of the life and achievements of Bishop Tom Daly who passed to his eternal reward on 28 May 2011. Tom was president of IMPERO for the past few years. The chairperson called for a minute’s silence in memory of Tom. “Go ndeanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam,” she intoned after the minute had elapsed.

The minutes of the General Meeting held on 12 June 2010 were taken as read and adopted on the proposal of the Archbishop seconded by Kevin Hynes. The secretary read the minutes of the interim meeting held on 19 February 2011.

It was agreed that Seán; Kevin McGeough, if possible; the Archbishop: should attend the network meeting in County Hall on Wednesday and try to open dialogue with the Peace III initiative and Paddy Drumgoole.

Mona pointed out that the capacity of people including children to tolerate stress was diminishing.

Reporting on a See-Change meeting held a few months ago in Drogheda the Archbishop commented that they could do better but that it was not a bad thing. Seán commented that he felt that stigma could not be dispelled by PR campaigns.

The Archbishop reported on recent meetings of North Louth Joint Policing Committee. There would be a further meeting in September. His own concerns included: intimidation of police; no ASBO’s being sought; lack of equipment such as lights.

Anne was re-elected as chairperson on the proposal of the Archbishop seconded by Seán.

Dermot was elected as vice-chairperson proposed by the Archbishop seconded by Kevin Hynes.

It was agreed that the Archbishop should be joint treasurer along with Kevin McGeough on the presumption that Kevin is prepared to continue in the role.

It was agreed that Joan Hardy be asked to continue as mentor for at least another 2 years.

Three names were mentioned in connection with the presidency of IMPERO. Ita Daly, Edward S Crudden, Fr. Gerard McGreevy. Approaches are to be made in that order to see if one of those mentioned, if any, will agree to be president for the coming year.

The secretary read dramatically his journals for 21 and 22 May 2011 the two days he spent at the joint ENUSP/MHE capacity building conference held in Hotel Astrid, Brussels. Someone commented that his report on the conference was “interesting.”

Seán outlined the proposed scheme Peers in Progress, the brainchild of Berthold Koesel, presented at the Brussels conference. The secretary reported that IMPERO had sought the services of a researcher under the proposed Tús scheme to investigate the possibility of setting up a Peers in Progress initiative locally.

It was felt that the peace process had given rise to “an industry” surrounding funding. A lot of mental health campaigns were cosmetic, flavour of the month stuff; which everyone seems to blindly accept. In this context it was resolved that IMPERO should maintain a strictly independent position.

The secretary pointed out that Cooley Environmental and Health Group’s 12^th annual winter workshop to be held from 14.00 to 17.30 on 21 January 2012 would address the topic, “Suicide Prevention.”

The date for the next general assembly of IMPERO was fixed for 13.00 on 9 June 2012. The next interim meeting was fixed for 13.00 on 29 October 2011.