To highlight Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May), the Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to remind people to look after their mental health and give it the same level of attention as their physical health. The PHA is urging people to look at ways of improving their mental health and wellbeing. One way of doing this is by adopting the Five Ways to Wellbeing which were developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF).

More than 80% of us travel to work by car. This week (11-17 May) is Walk to Work Week so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to leave the car at home to boost your health. Being more physically active and reaching the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended target of a minimum 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week can help you manage your weight, reduce your risk of developing a range of chronic conditions including some cancers, Type 2 diabetes, as well as reduce anxiety and stress.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) in partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust is encouraging people to take up opportunities for training in emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention that are currently available in the Western Trust area. Brendan Bonner, PHA Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement in the Western area, said:

The Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division of the Public Health Agency is pleased to announce the launch of their new website at www.research.hscni.net The work of the HSC R&D Division is based on the principle that the best health and social care must be underpinned by knowledge and well-conducted research which can then be applied to the delivery of care.

As exams get under way, parents and guardians are being encouraged by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to support their children’s emotional wellbeing. A certain level of stress is entirely normal and can be beneficial and motivating. However some students can feel particularly pressured to achieve good results and this can have a significant impact on how they feel. Madeline Heaney, Regional Lead for Mental and Emotional Wellbeing with the PHA, said: “The pressure to do well in exams can be very stressful for young people.

The Transforming Cancer Follow-up (TCFU) Project team has been awarded a prestigious Nursing Standard Award in cancer nursing. The TCFU team received the award at a special ceremony in London. Held annually, the Nursing Standard Awards identify exceptional nursing professionals, who have improved the quality of patient care through innovation and clinical excellence. Accepting the award, on behalf of the team of Macmillan Project Managers, PHA Nurse Consultant, Mary Jo Thompson, said:

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland, with around 3,550 cases every year. Today the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland launched a new sun safety initiative to help people who work outdoors protect themselves from skin damage due to sun exposure.

Linking Generations NI (LGNI), with funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA), is coordinating a series of events to bring old and young people together to share their experiences. Over the next few weeks, almost 40 community and voluntary organisations are planning ‘Celebrating Age’ social activities in arts, cookery, bingo, tea parties, gardening and more to promote interaction between generations.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has released the final report of the Outbreak Control Team (OCT) investigations into the outbreak of E. coli O157 associated with Flicks restaurant in Belfast during 2012. The response to control the outbreak was multi-agency, involving the PHA, Belfast City Council Environmental Health, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Food Standards Agency. In addition, the OCT liaised closely with colleagues in the Health Protection Agency (now Public Health England).