In this session I am going to briefly present an overview of the factors that contribute to our current mental health system which in my view is over-reliant on diagnoses and medication. I will then present some case discussions that illustrate the challenges and opportunities inherent in creating safe spaces within the system and outside the system. I hope to allow at least 15 minutes for discussion and responding to questions and answers.
Course Content
Presenter
Dr. Bryan McElroy works as a General Practitioner with a special interest in psychiatry and the spectrum of human psychological and emotional experiences. He qualified from UCC medical school in 2009 and obtained a Diploma in Clinical Psychiatry during his GP training which finished in 2015. He also has training and experience in ‘the work’ of Byron Katie, the ‘three principles’ of Sydney Banks, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) and the Alexander Technique. He is a contributor to “Inside Out- Outside In: Transforming Mental Health Practices’ published by PCCS Books in 2019. In 2021 he commenced a YouTube series entitled ‘Vital conversations in Mental Health’ with the aim of broadening the discussion about mental health, outlining the limitations and flaws of our current model and helping people get a sense that recovery outside the medical model is possible and actually quite common. In his spare time he enjoys dancing and spending quality time outdoors.
