A psychiatrist with extensive experience helping people cope with depression will give a free public talk on the subject in the city next week.
Dr Stephen Critchlow will speak at the Clayton Hotel (Ballroom Two ), Ballybrit at 8pm on Thursday January 20.
Dr Critchlow, who worked at both the then regional and Merlin Park hospitals from 1979 to 1983, trained in medicine at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and in psychiatry at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London and in Northern Ireland. He was a consultant psychiatrist at Holywell Hospital in Antrim until 2006 when he took early retirement.
He says his lecture entitled “Depression and how to cope with it” is particularly relevant in these times of uncertainty and economic difficulty and would be of interest to both those who have the condition and family or friends who support them and want to gain a better understanding of it.
“Galway has a very special place in my heart and I really look forward to visiting and giving this talk,” he says.
It is estimated that about 300,000 people in Ireland suffer from depression at any given time but only about a quarter receive adequate help.
Some people have an isolated episode of depression with no recurrence after recovery. Others have an ongoing vulnerability to the condition but with help can cope satisfactorily.
Dr Critchlow has been a spiritual leader for many years and on the night will explain how and why a spiritual dimension is important in understanding and coping with mental illness.
He refers to Dr Patricia Casey, a psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital and a lecturer at UCD, who has carried out a study on the impact of faith on people’s mood. She concludes that some of the benefits of a practising faith include reduced depression and lower suicide rates.
Dr Critchlow concurs, but explains that, while an active Christian hope brings spiritual vitality which is emotionally uplifting, it does not mean that Christians are immune from depression.
He will outline some of the spiritual, social, mental and medical factors which are helpful in coping with depression successfully at his public talk.
Graeme Wylie of Hope Counselling, says that it is this holistic approach which treats the whole person which many people find helpful.
