As Christmas approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to look after their mental health and that of their family and friends during the holiday season. Amanda O’Neill, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer with the PHA, said: “Many of us will be looking forward to Christmas when we can spend more time with our family and friends. “However, for some people this is a very difficult time, perhaps because of the expense involved, stress, bereavement, or feelings of isolation or loneliness.”

In the run up to Christmas the Public Elf Agency has some top tips on how to have a happy, healthy holiday. Over the next 12 days the Public Elf Agency (PEA) will be teaming up with our very own Public Health Agency (PHA) to share the advice on www.facebook.com/publichealthagency and www.twitter.com/publichealthni

With just under half of eligible pre-schoolers having received this year’s flu vaccine, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents to get young children vaccinated ahead of Christmas to help protect not only them, but also family members.

Christmas can pose challenges for people living with dementia, and those close to them. Here are some tips to help everyone enjoy the festive season. In the lead up to the Christmas period involve your loved one who has dementia:

About one third of people over the age of 65 years fall each year, yet around 50 percent of falls are known to be preventable. The Public Health Agency (PHA), in association with all the councils in Northern Ireland, is urging everyone to identify factors that can increase the risk of falling and take steps to prevent them from occurring. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “Falls continue to be the leading cause of accidental death in the home, with the incidence of falling increasing as people get older.

Across Northern Ireland, families are being encouraged to sit down with their loved ones on Monday December 11 and discuss their wishes on organ donation.