Brain problems to increase among Irish

With 700,000 people in Ireland suffering from Neurological conditions, this week marks the launch of Brain Awareness week which is organised by The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.

The Dana Alliance is a non-profit organization of more than 265 neuroscientists, committed to advancing public awareness about the progress and promise of brain research.

“Brain Awareness Week is an excellent indicator of how the progress of brain research has resonated internationally,” notes Edward F. Rover, president of the Dana Foundation. “People want to know what is happening in the science and how it will affect them and their families.”

In Ireland the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) organised events this week from conferences to coffee mornings. The NAI is an umbrella organisation for groups representing the views and concerns of those affected by neurological conditions.

According to the Strategic Review of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Services there are up to 700,000 people living with neurological conditions in Ireland. These conditions affect the brain and spinal cord such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

This figure is set to rise to 800,000 by 2016 according to a report produced by the Population Health Directorate of the HSE and currently under review by the National Hospitals Office.

Currently there are only 17 neurologists and 9 neurosurgeons in Ireland. These figures are the lowest in Europe. A report commissioned by the Government in 2003 recommended that 39 neurologists and 16 neurosurgeons were needed to serve the Irish population.

The way issues of mental health are being reported in the media have also come under scrutiny.

Headline is Ireland’s national media monitoring programme for mental health and suicide. It works to promote responsible and accurate coverage of mental health and suicide related issues within the Irish media.

Headline is funded by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention as part of the Reach Out strategy, and is managed by Schizophrenia Ireland.

It believes the media have a significant role to play in promoting positive mental health and actively reducing stigma and discrimination towards people with mental health difficulties.

To find out more about the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, Brain Awareness week and events planned log onto www.nai.ie and visit the Headline website at www.headline.ie