The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to use Mental Health Awareness Week (8-14 May) to take time out to think about mental health and steps we can take to improve it. Fiona Teague, Health Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “We are encouraging people to use Mental Health Awareness Week as an opportunity to think about how they can improve their mental health. We all know that it is important to look after our physical health but it is also really important that we don’t neglect our mental health.

During Sun Awareness Week (8 to 14 May 2017) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding people that the only thing that should be sizzling this summer is the food on their barbecue as they urge people to take care in the sun.

Each year, millions of infections are prevented through the simple act of washing your hands. So today [Friday 5 May], on the World Health Organization’s global Hand Hygiene Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that washing your hands regularly and thoroughly can save lives and avoid the need to use antibiotics to treat these infections. The theme for Hand Hygiene Day is ‘Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands’.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide but there is a vaccine to help protect against it. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents and guardians of teenage girls to talk to their daughters about the benefits of the vaccine, which they can receive this school term.

During Dying Matters Awareness Week (8–14 May 2017) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly with those closest to them about their wishes about their future care, dying, death and bereavement.

The Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency have launched a Safe Medicines campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of misusing prescription medication. It’s estimated that the misuse of prescription medication such as Tramadol, Diazepam and antidepressants was responsible for 27 times more deaths than illicit drugs such as cocaine in 2015*.

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).