Annual Report of Mental Health Advisory Group 2017 for AOTI

Please see below the Annual Report of the AOTI Mental Health Advisory Group for 2017.

Committee Membership2017

-Committee Membership 2017

Chairperson: Claire I. Gleeson

Treasurer:Carmel Lawlor

Secretary: Mairead Boyle

Committee Members: Aine Reilly, Theresa Peacock, Esther Crowe Mullins, Mark Morgan- Brown (stood down in October 2017), Shelley Mack, Michelle Lowry, Michelle Darcy, Criosa Houston and Jenny Johnston

-Committee Membership 2017

An AGM of the AOTI MHAG was held in on 3rd March 2017 at the MHAG Study Day, the following members were re-elected to the Committee.

Chairperson: Claire Gleeson.

Proposed by Brenda Gahan, Seconded by Aine O’ Reilly.

Secretary: Mairead Boyle,

Proposed by Carmel Lalor, Seconded by Esther Crowe Mullins.

Treasurer: Carmel Lalor,

Proposed by Rodrigo Frade, seconded by Claire Gleeson.

Committee: Aine Reilly, Theresa Peacock, Esther Crowe Mullins, Mark Morgan- Brown, Shelley Mack, Jenny Johnson.

Proposed by Helen Mc Guigan, Seconded by Rodrigo Frade.

Michelle Lowry, Michelle Darcy, Criosa Houston became Committee Members in Summer 2017 via the Committee agreement.

Status of the Committee

The Committee was very active throughout 2017. We held two study days, the first on 3rd March 2017 and the second on 24th November 2017.

The first Study Day featured 6 presentations on current OT practice in Mental Health in Ireland and had approx. 45 attendees.

The second Study Day focused on the Decision Capacity Act and we welcomed Patricia Rickard Clarke to give a presentation in the morning with a workshop in the afternoon on the impact of the Act on mental health practice for OTs. Approximately 35 people attended this Study Day.

Number of meetings called

There was a total of approximately 8 meetings called during the year; 2017 via teleconference. Informal conversations held over the phone and email in ensuring the work of the committee was met.

Terms of reference

  • Support Occupational Therapists working within the field of Mental Health.
  • Offer CPD opportunities for OTs.

Items dealt with during 2017

  • Teleconferences –Bi- Monthly
  • Two Study Days
  • LGBT Working Group completed the Best Practice Guidelines for OTs working with the LGBT population. These guidelines are currently being reviewed by the Governance Committee and the hope is to launch same in 2018.
  • Engagement with AOTI Main office
  • Feedback on reports and documents
  • Ongoing MHAG representation on Mental Health Reform, with the Mental Health Commission, Children’s First representation-Mental Health Division.
  • Email Account –Respond to Queries, Circulate Information
  • Submitted CPD application for Sensory Integration training
  • Shelley Mack was appointed as a representative on the WFOT committee in developing a position paper on OT and Mental Health

Future plans

  • Devise Resources online –circulate more information to members
  • CPD Day/Training for members
  • Engage with other Advisory Groups
  • Launch Best practice Guidelines for OTs in supporting the LGBT community
  • Engage with the CSO of AOTI in relation to developing the Advisory Group

Please find below Minutes of the AOTI AGM:

Minutes of AGM, Mental Health Advisory Group, Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

AGM held at MHAG study day, 3 March 2017, Trinity College Dublin.

Minute taker- Theresa Peacock- MHAG committee.

The Chairperson and treasurers reports where presented. Discussion re; change of bank due to introduction of quarterly fees and more economical options to be looked at due to our very limited transactions.

Election of 2017 AOTI MHAG Officers

Chairperson- Claire Gleeson.

Proposed by Brenda Gahan, Seconded by Aine O’ Reilly.

Secretary-Mairead Boyle.

Proposed by Carmel Lalor, Seconded by Esther Crowe Mullins

Treasurer- Carmel Lalor.

Proposed by Rodrigo Frade, seconded by Claire Gleeson.

Committee- Aine O Reilly, Theresa Peacock, Esther Crowe Mullins, Mark Morgan- Brown, Shelley Mack, Jenny Johnson.

Proposed by Helen Mc Guigan, Seconded by Rodrigo Frade.