ON THE COUCH:Paul Gilligan is chief executive of St Patrick's Hospital
Family/personal:
Married with two daughters.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Nelson Mandela for his inner strength and commitment to human rights.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland’s health system?
Firstly, the continuing failure to prioritise mental healthcare; secondly, the failure to address the major deficits in child and adolescent services; and, thirdly, the growing denial of the existence of mental illness, making it increasingly difficult for sufferers to admit that they are mentally ill.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying the latest technology gadgets.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
Drinking too much coffee.
How do you relax?
Spending time with my family, but I also like to cycle, play tennis or listen to music.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I think those who have contributed most to our understanding and awareness of mental illness would make the most interesting guests – Carl Rogers, the founder of humanistic psychotherapy, Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive behaviour therapy, and Carl Jung, one of the pioneers of analytical psychology. I think they would make for a very interesting dinner party – although you would need to be a very secure person to brave attendance at such an event.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Spending time with my family, particularly when we are on holidays together.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty, honesty and also tolerance.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to play the piano.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines or therapies?
No, but in St Patrick’s Hospital we are at the forefront of developing alternative and progressive approaches to the treatment of mental illness such as CBT, systemic psychotherapy and wellness and recovery models of treatment in conjunction with more traditional models of treatment.
What is your most treasured possession?
My racing bike.
What other career might you have chosen?
Perhaps a songwriter. I imagine there must be a great sense of fulfilment in writing a good song.
What books or films have inspired you?
A Beautiful Mindwas a film I feel did a great deal to combat the stigmatisation of mental illness.
A Prayer for Owen Meaneyby John Irving is one of the most inspiring and funniest books I have ever read.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell