The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using Self-Harm Awareness Day to encourage people who are affected by self-harm, including families and carers, to seek support. Dr Denise O’Hagan, Public Health Consultant with the PHA, said: “People self-harm for various reasons and are usually experiencing severe emotional distress. Self-harm is when a person harms themselves through injury or poisoning and it can take many different forms. It may be something which is kept hidden from others. For some people, self-harm is a way of coping with and communicating their distress, but for others it can be

More than one in five households here (22%) are in fuel poverty so this Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Friday 15 February) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting energy efficiency tips and services that many people will find useful in tackling the issue. A household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on energy costs to adequately heat the home. Brendan Bonner, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA , said: “Nearly 160,000 homes here are in fuel poverty, but there are steps that people can take if they find that they have

Help is at hand for anyone who attempted to quit smoking this New Year, but fell back into the habit, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA). The agency’s comprehensive network of free Stop Smoking Support Services are offering tailored advice and support to help you quit for good. “Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself, with benefits for your health, your appearance, your finances and your relationships,” said Siobhan O’ Brien, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer with the PHA. “However it isn’t easy and different approaches will work for

Northern Ireland Helplines Awareness Day [6 February] highlights the extensive range of helplines providing support, advice and information to the public across the region. The awareness day event, hosted by BBC’s Linda McAuley, in Belfast City Hall, was an opportunity not only to showcase the work of the Helplines Network NI and 29 helpline members, but also raise public awareness about their crucial work. Clodagh Crowe, Chair of the Helplines Network NI and Project Co-Ordinator with Rural Support said: “Last year in Northern Ireland, our helplines responded to over half a million calls