As thousands of students across Northern Ireland start the new term at college or university, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is using the opportunity to raise awareness of student mental health. To coincide with local Freshers’ Weeks this month, the agency is launching its revamped booklet ‘Mind Your Head: A student guide to mental health’.

HIGH levels of air pollution (particulate matter) are currently being monitored in the Belfast area. MODERATE levels of air pollution are being monitored in other urban centres across Northern Ireland. The air quality forecast indicates that the pollution will disperse through the day. Similar pollution levels may occur tomorrow morning, depending on weather conditions. These pollution levels are the result of the cold, calm, foggy weather conditions we are currently experiencing, which can lead to the build up of local emissions from vehicles and home heating.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using today [10 September] – World Suicide Prevention Day – to encourage people who are feeling in distress or despair to seek help. The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.’ The theme reflects the importance of connections at several levels in tackling suicide.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today launching an ovarian cancer awareness programme which will see leaflets and posters distributed across Northern Ireland to highlight the signs and symptoms of the illness. The programme is being launched in partnership with Target Ovarian Cancer and Angels of Hope.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling on businesses across Northern Ireland to take part in a new initiative to help support employees who want to stop smoking. The ‘Workplace 28 day stop smoking challenge’ is being launched on 1 October, and businesses can sign up to help employees who smoke to give up their habit.

Organisations are invited to submit proposals to the Public Health Agency (PHA) for a three-year programme to develop and sustain a Men’s Sheds Network in Northern Ireland. The service provider will: Support the growth of new Men’s Sheds throughout Northern Ireland; Provide effective services to Men’s Sheds; Raise awareness and understanding of the Men’s Sheds model. A grant is available up to a maximum of £140,000 for the three-year project.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today launching phase two of its childhood flu vaccination programme which will see immunisation being offered to pre-school children aged two years and over, and all primary school children. This will help protect against the disease and reduce spread. Today’s launch comes after children in primary six and two and three year olds were offered the vaccine last year as part of phase one.