PHA increasing understanding of mental health through training

As World Suicide Prevention Day approaches the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of the training opportunities available in mental and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. Almost 15,000 participants [1] received PHA-funded training in mental and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention last year. The PHA commissions a range of training programmes which are delivered across Northern Ireland, which range from raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing to providing advice on crisis intervention. “Improving mental health and reducing the prevalence of suicide are very

Mental Emotional Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Training Monitoring Report for 2017/18

Tips on avoiding back-to-school germs

As the first week of the new school year gets under way, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness with parents about the importance of good hygiene – both in school and at home. “Schools can be a common breeding ground for germs and bugs so it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading germs to others,” said Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA. Parents and schools can help reduce the spread of germs by encouraging kids to practise good personal hygiene by: Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet

PHA encourages girls to get the HPV vaccine

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents to take up the offer of the HPV vaccine for their daughters aged 12-13. As the new school year gets under way, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, which reduces the risk of cervical cancer, will again be routinely offered to girls in years 9 and 10 in schools across Northern Ireland. Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “We urge parents of girls who are eligible to receive the HPV vaccine to make sure that they get it to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are older. “Our latest figures

Public urged to save lives by talking about organ donation

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on people to get talking about organ donation and share their donation decision with their loved ones this Organ Donation Week (3 – 9 September). The ‘Words save lives’ campaign highlights the need to tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation. More and more people are supporting organ donation, but there is still an urgent shortage. “People are dying every day in Northern Ireland because some families are not talking about donation. Recent statistics here reveal that 14 people died last year waiting for an organ,” said Dr Catherine

Protect Life 2 Service Stakeholder Engagement Report

Safer sleeping - Reducing the risk of sudden infant death

Provision of Youth Engagement Service for Young People aged 11-25 in NI

Submitted by Lynda Kernohan on

Name of Contract : Provision of Youth Engagement Service for Young People aged 11-25 in NI

Contract Duration: 1 July 2018 - 30 June 2021 (with the possibility of two, twelve month period extensions)

Organisations awarded:

Lot 1 Ballymena - Start 360

Lot 2 Banbridge - Futureproof Inc Ltd

Lot 3 Bangor - Extern

Lot 4 Belfast - Extern

Lot 5 Carrickfergus - Carrickfergus YMCA

Lot 6 Derry/Londonderry - to be retendered

Lot 7 Enniskillen - FUEL

Provision of Youth Engagement Service for Young People aged 11-25 in NI

Submitted by Lynda Kernohan on

The following contracts have been awarded for the provision of a Youth Engagement Service for Young People aged 11-25 in Northern Ireland for the period 1 July 2018 - 30 June 2021 with the possibility of a further two, twelve month period extensions.

Lot 1 Ballymena - Start 360

Lot 2 Banbridge - Futureproof Inc Ltd

Lot 3 Bangor - Extern NI

Lot 4 Belfast - Extern NI

Lot 5 Carrickfergus YMCA

Lot 6 Derry/Londonderry - not awarded and will be re-tendered 

Lot 7 Enniskillen - FUEL

Lot 8 Newry - Magnet YAC

Public Health Agency (PHA) advice to help people make informed decisions on e-cigarettes

Smoking tobacco is very harmful to health. The short and long term effects of smoking are well known and smoking remains the single biggest cause of early death in Northern Ireland. A typical smoker dies 10-15 years earlier than they would do if they didn’t smoke. Recent reports published by Public Health England suggests that e-cigarettes are less harmful to health than smoking, but also recognise that the long-term effects of using e-cigarettes “vaping” are not yet fully known. E-cigarettes are one type of nicotine replacement product; however they are not currently licensed for use as a
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