Churches across Northern Ireland are being invited to take part in information sessions hosted by suicide prevention group Flourish! in the coming months. Flourish! is a partnership between Lighthouse and clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland. 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).

On Global Handwashing Day on 15 October, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to stay well by maintaining good hand hygiene. This will help to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading winter viruses such as influenza and norovirus. Good hand washing with soap and warm water is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections which can be inconvenient, but more importantly can lead to serious illness.

Asking, listening and talking to someone with a mental health problem can be the start of their road to recovery. That was the message from Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill, as she launched a new media campaign to encourage the public to offer support to those who may be struggling with their mental health. Launched today on World Mental Health Day, the campaign ‘Helping Others’ will use TV, radio, digital and outdoor advertising and focuses on how people can support family or friends to deal with a mental health problem.

Issued by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care Public urged to find out more about palliative care during awareness week Greater public understanding of how palliative care addresses all needs of the person – physical, social, emotional and spiritual – has been called for, as Palliative Care Week begins today.

October is Stoptober, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all smokers in Northern Ireland to use this as an opportunity to quit for good. Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality throughout Northern Ireland and sadly one in every two smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all women to ‘be breast aware’ and to think about attending for screening when invited. In 2014/15 a total of 76,661 women aged 50–70 were invited for screening, with 57,758 attending. This means that over three quarters of the women who were invited took up the offer of screening mammography. “Prevention and early detection are key to saving lives from breast cancer,” said Dr Sinéad McGuinness, Specialty Registrar in Public Health Medicine at the PHA.

As thousands of students begin a new year at college or university, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is using the opportunity to raise awareness about student mental health.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all people aged 70 and 78 years old that they are eligible to receive the shingles vaccine. The vaccine will help protect them against this common and painful disease and its complications. The shingles vaccine will be offered routinely to people who were aged 70 years on 1 September 2016 (born between 2 September 1945 and 1 September 1946 inclusive); and as part of a catch-up programme, also to those aged 78 on 1 September (born between 2 September 1937 and 1 September 1938 inclusive).

‘Break the silence, reach for help’ is an initiative being launched today to highlight the support that is available for family members who are affected by a loved one’s drinking and/or drug misuse and encourage them to get help in their own right.