Shine Blackrock Branch

Cluain Mhuire hosted a reception for the branch on December 1 2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Blackrock Carers Support group in 1974. It was good to see many of our old friends there, and the evening was spent reminiscing about events and changes over the years. These included the contributions of our own branch members, committees, members of the Saint John of Gods order, the Cluain Mhuire Service, Gardai and many others who had played a part in supporting carers over the many years.

To mark this huge achievement of the Blackrock Branch and the appreciation of everyone associated with The Cluain Mhuire Service, Dr Barry unveiled a plaque and presented flowers to those surviving members in attendance. The presentations were made in the waiting room of Cluain Mhuire during the groups Christmas meeting 1st December 2014.

Dr Barry said

2014 sees the 40 year anniversary of the beginnings of the Blackrock branch of Schizophrenia Ireland. In 1974 a group of relatives and Brothers came together in Cluain Mhuire to discuss the problems associated with this diagnosis. This was at a time before the newer medicines like Clozapene or early intervention programmes like DETECT or even developed community services. In fact people with Mental Illnesses were little understood and often feared. Bro Killian OH was at that time based in Cluain Mhuire and worked with the group of relatives, encouraging them to form a group. Schizophrenia Ireland was born and has evolved over the years into the national organisation ‘Shine’. The Blackrock branch still meets monthly in Cluain Mhuire and also regularly with Dr Barry to advocate for improved mental health services.

Bro Killian was asked to go to South Korea and took with him all the information gained from the Blackrock group. Mrs Wheran Key translated all of this information into Korean. This proved of enormous benefit to people availing of a service at St John of God mental health services in that country.

In reply Gordon Young , on behalf of the Branch said

We are here to night to say thank you, to a group of concerned, and dedicated, people, who together with C M recognized the need for a carers support group. This led to the setting up of the Schizophrenia Association; this intern came to be Schizophrenia Ireland, now known as Shine.There has been a meeting of the local branch on the first Monday of each month consistently, for the past forty years.

On a personal note at time of life when our lives were in turmoil, our daughter had just received a diagnosis of chronic Schizophrenia. To be able to walk in to a room and talk about our situation with people who understood exactly what we were feeling, and were willing to offer help and support. This support was invaluable, at a time when our lives and thoughts were all over the place , and we did not know which end was up.

At this time I have to mention some of the founding members , and backbone of the local branch , Owen Mooney , Rosemary & Robert Thompson, Joyce Watson, , Peggy O Driscol Mary Clark , & Noleen Cambsno , and in particular Dr Bill Ivers my predecessor , as chairperson who was welcoming and, put newcomers at ease.

From Cluain Mhuire Dr Siobhan Barry, Bro Sean Bro Killian, Mrs Wheran Kee Erik Casey , Shane Hill Bro Martin & Cathleen Troy. The work carries on with the current committee of Martin Cahill, Eileen Young, Noel Kidney, David Brophy, and our Honorary Secretary Gabrielle Mahon. I would like to thank every body involved with tonight and the past forty years, and to empathise carers help and support is every bit as important as it was forty years ago if not more so.