May is National Walking Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is setting everyone a challenge to put on their walking shoes and see how many steps they can take. There are many health benefits of walking and adding a brisk pace to your step can help you feel good, reduce anxiety, help manage your weight, reduce blood pressure and help you sleep better.

Clergy and those who work for churches across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take part in specially tailored suicide awareness training. Sessions are being hosted in the coming year by suicide prevention group ‘Flourish!’ Flourish! is a partnership between clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland and the suicide prevention charity Lighthouse. The initiative has the support of the leaders of the four larger churches in Ireland and has been developed in partnership with and supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

During the Easter break, with parents thinking of activities to keep children entertained, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding families about the importance of washing hands after visiting the farm. All animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which can be transmitted to people. Some organisms which may be contracted on farms can cause illness some of which can cause severe infection, particularly in young children.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using the opportunity of World Health Day to encourage people to talk about depression. World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization. The theme for 2017 is depression. “The word ‘depression’ is used in many different ways,” said Fiona Teague, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA.