As part of World Mental Health Day, dental practices across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to display mental health awareness posters and to encourage dentists and other staff to talk about any issues or problems they are having.

Teenage smoking, drinking and drug use has radically reduced in Iceland over the past 20 years, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the South Eastern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team (DACT) Connections Service* are hosting a seminar tomorrow [Wednesday 27 September] to review the Icelandic Prevention Model on tackling drug and alcohol misuse in young people to see how it, or elements of it, could potentially be rolled out here.

Do you have questions about living with and beyond cancer that you would like answered by research? People are now living longer after a cancer diagnosis; more people in the UK are living with or beyond cancer. But many people, including carers, are not living well. More and more people are living with impacts of cancer and its treatment.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2017/18 is getting under way, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to ‘Stay Well This Winter’ by ensuring that all eligible family members get the free flu vaccine when offered it. The vaccine changes each year to cover the strains which are likely to be prevalent over the course of the flu season, so it is important to get immunised annually.

From 1 October 2017, the PHA will no longer advertise funding opportunities in regional or local newspapers. From this date, the PHA will advertise social care tender opportunities and grant funding awards on its website www.publichealth.hscni.net. Above threshold tenders (above £589,147) will also be advertised directly on the procurement web portal eTendersNI. Accessing Application Documentation

More than £500,000 is being provided to community organisations in Belfast to promote physical activity and get more people moving across the city. The Belfast Strategic Partnership, made up of the Public Health Agency (PHA), Belfast City Council (BCC) and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT), is providing £519,500 funding through its Get Active Belfast scheme for programmes which range from activities for people with health conditions and getting families active, to community gyms, youth programmes and getting active with Ulster Rugby.

During National Eye Health Week (18 – 24 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone to have their eyes tested every two years and to be aware of the importance of good eye health and the steps to take to protect your vision. Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Over 50% of sight loss is preventable, so ensuring that we all have regular eye examinations will help prevent, or limit, the damage caused by certain eye conditions.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using the opportunity of the new academic year to raise awareness about student mental health and the support that is available. This month sees thousands of students heading off to university or college and although this it is an exciting time, it can also be a period of huge change. Fiona Teague, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said that for many, starting a new course will mean living away from home for the first time.

Advance Care Planning is a process through which individuals can plan ahead and make choices about their future. It is for anyone who wishes to plan ahead, whether they have a serious illness or not, and will be the focus for an event being held tomorrow [Wednesday 13 September] at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace.