ASIST training helping to tackle suicide

Work to help communities prevent suicide has taken a further step forward with over 50 ASIST Trainers from across Northern Ireland completing the new ASIST 11 upgrader trainer course. The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) enables people in a position of trust to recognise risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. The Public Health Agency (PHA) funded the upgrading training as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting quality training for a range of individuals, communities and organisations.

Primary pupils graduate with flying colours

Primary school pupils in Lisburn have been enjoying their first graduation ceremony, as part of Early Intervention Lisburn’s ‘Incredible Years Programme’. The initiative, run by the Public Health Agency (PHA), was set up to help parents understand and manage their child’s behaviour better and also to help teach children how to understand their emotions, with the aim of benefitting their long-term health and wellbeing.

Type 2 Diabetes for people with a Learning Disability

 

 

 

New church partnership to prevent suicide

Churches from across Northern Ireland came together today at Stormont to officially launch a new partnership initiative which aims to prevent suicide. ‘Flourish!’ is a regional inter-church suicide prevention initiative which involves Lighthouse Ireland, the Churches’ Community Work Alliance (Northern Ireland), and the four main churches in Northern Ireland. Flourish! has been developed in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA).

NI Registry of Self-harm Annual Report 2012/13

The purpose of the registry is to improve understanding about self-harm and related behaviours in Northern Ireland. The information gathered will be used to monitor trends and patterns over time and, perhaps most importantly, will help shape the development of services and support to meet need. The information will also help provide trusts and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety with a more accurate understanding of the impact of self-harm on Emergency Departments.

Healthy food in schools essential for learning and future wellbeing

A healthier approach to food in schools is being taken to improve learning opportunities and health and wellbeing by encouraging better eating habits among children. The ‘Food in Schools’ conference, held at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, today [26 February] brought together Education Minister John O’Dowd and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride in support of the action needed to provide children with healthier food choices and nutritional information to support a healthier diet.

Important advice to pregnant women during lambing season

You know spring is on its way when you begin to see lambs appearing in the fields; however the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season. Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and that of their unborn child from infections that can be transferred from ewes. It is also important to note that cows and goats which have recently given birth can also carry similar infections.

Healthy food demos cooking up a storm

People across Belfast are finding out how to cook healthy, tasty, low cost meals thanks to cookery demonstrations being organised by the Public Health Agency (PHA). The demonstrations are helping to promote the PHA’s ‘Choose to Live Better’ campaign, which helps people identify how they can take small practical steps to reduce their waist size. The cooking demonstrations will focus on creating good food that won’t break the bank.

C. difficile and S.aureus bacteraemia surveillance quarterly reports

Quarterly reports provide epidemiological data on C. difficile and S. aureus in Northern Ireland. The report highlights key points, rates, trends and statistical process control charts. The report also provides information on surveillance methods and data for each hospital and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

Click here to see the latest reports

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