The Public Health Agency (PHA) is launching its ‘Under the surface’ multimedia public information campaign on Thursday 6 October 2011. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the early warning signs that could indicate a mental health issue and encourage people to seek help. ‘Under the surface’ will be broadcast from 10 October (World Mental Health Day) to 20 November (National Suicide Survivors’ day) and will be carried in local press, on radio, TV, online and on the campaign website www.mindingyourhead.info
PHA supports World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
Saturday 8 October 2011 marks World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world by raising awareness and understanding of the needs – medical, social, practical and spiritual – of people living with a life-limiting illness, and their families.
Pregnant? Protect yourself and your baby against flu
Pregnant women are more likely to develop serious complications as a result of flu compared to women who are not pregnant, so the message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) is to protect yourself and your baby by getting the flu vaccine. Each year the flu vaccine protects against the three most common strains of flu and this year includes swine flu (H1N1), which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
Students signed up to save lives at the Fresher’s fair
As students were signing up for new clubs and societies at Queen’s Fresher’s fair, the Public Health Agency (PHA) alongside the Northern Ireland Transplant Association (NITA) and specialist nurses from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) hosted a stall to promote the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Suicide prevention must be prioritised
Health Minister Edwin Poots has called together key figures in tackling suicide and reaffirmed his commitment to tackling rising rates in Northern Ireland. The Minister requested the workshop in Belfast, which brought together key people from the community and voluntary sectors to consider what further action could be taken to help tackle rising levels of suicide and self-harm in local communities. The workshop was organised by the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Report recommends new Belfast-wide approach
A new Scoping report on drugs and alcohol services in Belfast, produced by the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group (BDAWG) for the Public Health Agency (PHA) has recommended that a Belfast-focused approach is adopted to tackling drug and alcohol misuse in the city.