In April 2012, processes were introduced in Northern Ireland to closely monitor and respond to sudden deaths when possible suicide is suspected. Following these deaths, PSNI officers collect information on a Sudden Death form (SD1) which is passed to Health and Social Care Trusts and the Public Health Agency for the purpose ensuring timely support is provided to individuals and communities. Following a possible death by suicide, there is an increased risk that vulnerable individuals may copy the behaviour, this is known as contagion.

Stakeholder engagement events on the future Protect Life service announced

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is set to hold a number of stakeholder engagement events in the coming weeks throughout Northern Ireland. These will inform the future procurement of services to implement the pending ‘Protect Life 2’ suicide prevention strategy. Séamus Mullen, Regional Lead for Mental and Emotional Wellbeing at the PHA, said: “It is really important that people have their say and we would encourage as many as possible to register and come along to the planned workshops in their area.

This leaflet aims to encourage children and young people with physical disabilities to be more active. It explains why physical activity is important, highlights the recommended amount of activity, and offers ideas for getting more active. It also considers the factors that make it more difficult for young people with disabilities to be active and provides suggestions for adapting activities to make them accessible.

This leaflet explains how low threshold services can support people whose alcohol or drug use is causing them problems. It outlines what low threshold services are, who can access them, what support they can offer and how to contact them.

PHA encourages help-seeking on Self-Harm Awareness Day

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using Self-Harm Awareness Day (1 March) as an opportunity to encourage those who are affected by self-harm to seek help. Self-harm occurs when a person harms themselves while in a state of severe emotional distress. It can take many different forms. Dr Denise O’Hagan, Public Health Consultant with the PHA, said: “Self-Harm Awareness Day is an opportunity to encourage people who self-harm and those close to them to seek help, and also to let people know that help is available.

Public health advice during cold spell 2018

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has issued advice for people to look after themselves and others as temperatures drop due to cold winds from the east. Mary Carey, Emergency Planning Co-ordinator at the PHA, said: “We know a cold spell is coming, which gives us the opportunity to plan ahead to try to reduce its impact. “For some people the onset of the cold weather can bring particular hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated, putting them at risk.

Responding to injecting drug use – an exploratory conversation

Belfast Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team (DACT) and Extern have hosted a conference in order to learn more about how other countries are responding to injecting drug use and the harm-reduction methods they have introduced. This comes following a number of concerns about injecting drug use in the Belfast area, including deaths from opioid overdose; an increase in blood borne viruses and serious health problems in people who inject, and issues with inappropriately discarded drug paraphernalia.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day – reduce energy costs and get help

With more than two in five households here in fuel poverty, this Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Friday 23 February) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting energy efficiency tips and services that many people will find useful in tackling the issue. A household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on energy costs to adequately heat the home, and Northern Ireland has a higher percentage of fuel poverty households than any other devolved region in the UK. Tracey Colgan, Senior Health and Wellbeing Improvement Officer at the PHA, said:

This booklet provides additional information on the 3+ Review for pre-school children.