Dr Harry Barry - Flagging the Problem: a New Approach to Mental Health

When I approached an old friend of mine, Dr Tony Bates, for advice on how to get this book published, he gave me the following advice: Find an editor who believes in both you and the book. Tonys advice was as always very wise. I have indeed been very fortunate in finding such an editor in Sen OKeeffe of Liberties Press. With patience, kindness and a great eye for detail, he has turned my ramblings into a reality. I owe him a debt I can never repay. To Peter OConnell at Liberties Press I owe a debt for his expertise in the marketing and media side of this book. We are fortunate in Ireland to have such a forward-looking publishing company.

There are so many others who have played a part in this project. To John and Anne, who allowed me to share Nialls story, and to Dr Michael Smurfit for his support and encouragement, and for writing the foreword, I can only say thank you. A special thanks to Kate Kelly for all her help.

To Enda Murphy, the Irish College of General Practice CBT Project Director, I also offer special thanks. He was, and still is, of great assistance in introducing myself and a number of GPs around Ireland into the world of this form of psychotherapy. Many of the clinical and theoretical details about CBT contained in this book were provided by Enda. I hope I have been faithful to his teachings!

To Cathy Kelly, author and UNICEF ambassador, I must offer a special thank you for being of great support and encouragement at a time I needed it most. She is and always will be a real lady.

I would like to send a big thank you to all at Aware, particularly Prof. Patrick McKeown, CEO Geraldine Clare, Annette Byrne, our most able chairman, all the hard-working members of the Board, and the many members around the country, for their support and encouragement. This book is for you all.

To my reviewers, Prof. Patricia Casey, Prof. Ted Dinan, Dr Muiris Houston, Marie Murray, Dr John Connolly (of the Irish Suicidology Association), Mike Watts of GROW, Dr Michael Boland of the ICGP, and Breda O Brien, along with others mentioned already, another warm appreciation.

To my loyal and devoted staff at 5 Leland Place Fiona, Carmel, Susan, Anne and my practice nurse Brenda for all their help and support throughout the period of writing this book. A special thanks also to Darina and Michael for their help with this project.

To my mother Dilly Barry (Thurles) and brothers Gerald and Kevin for their support and encouragement. To my mother-in-law Ciss Lahart (Eyrecourt) for her help and support down through the years, and to all our friends and relatives who have backed this project.

There are a number of people who sadly will not be here to see this published. The first is my brother David (who died recently, following a short illness), and I dedicate this book to him and his family (as well as to Niall and the other people mentioned in the dedication). We will miss you. The second is our great family friend Sister Kieran Saunders MMM. She was by my side during many difficult times in the Developing World and remained close to our little unit over many years till her death. It was she who persuaded me to stay in Ireland rather than return to the Developing World, explaining that there was poverty of a different kind at home. How right she was, for despite our affluence, there are many problems (some of which are dealt with in this book) in modern Ireland. We miss you so much, Kieran, and pray that you will remain our spiritual guide throughout this mysterious journey through life and beyond. We also remember my father Harry and my father- in-law Nicholas, who are sadly not with us to share this moment.

Moving on to my family, I would like to start with my daughter Lara, our media expert, who spent a month editing and putting together my initial data into a presentable document. Her expertise, occasionally challenging observations (Dad, get real!) and support, then and throughout the process of putting the book together will never be forgotten.

I also have to thank my son Daniel, psychology and communications expert, who was my right-hand man throughout this whole project. He was responsible for researching key articles, helping me design and create the diagrams which enrich this book, and also helping with the initial editing. Without his help, this book may never have reached a stage where it could be published.