Over 65s are being offered free home safety checks thanks to a Public Health Agency (PHA) partnership with Belfast City Council, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Bryson Energy.

A new dementia campaign #STILLME was launched yesterday [Tuesday 20 September] to raise awareness of the signs of dementia, and to reduce stigma and fear about the condition.

The campaign features local people living with a dementia talking about how their condition affects them. The first phase of the campaign will run until the end of October and highlights the ways in which we can support and be more inclusive of a person living with dementia. The second phase will run throughout December and January and will focus on possible signs of dementia and the benefits of a timely diagnosis.

Autumn marks the official start of the seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2016/2017, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to ensure that all eligible family members get the free flu vaccine when offered it.

During National Eye Health Week (19 – 25 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of good eye health and the need for everyone to have their eyes tested every two years.

Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Over 50% of sight loss is preventable, so ensuring that we all have regular eye examinations will help prevent, or limit, the damage caused by certain eye conditions.

With one in five of us in Northern Ireland showing signs of a mental health problem at any one time,[1] a new media campaign is aiming to reduce stigma and discrimination towards those affected.

The first stage of the Change Your Mind mental health media campaign starts today.  The campaign is supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh) and Comic Relief.