A new online programme of stress control classes has been developed to support people during the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), recognising the need to stay at home, while also recognising the impact that the pandemic and changes to our lifestyles is having on mental health. The free online stress control classes are being supported by the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Board, Health and Social Care Trusts and Public Health Agency and are aimed at supporting people’s mental wellbeing at this time of massive uncertainty. The classes, presented by Dr Jim White, a clinical p

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to stay at home over the Easter break, emphasising how important it is to save lives. The agency has thanked people for practising social distancing and following guidelines about only leaving their homes when necessary. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Coronavirus is circulating in our community. People are dying. One of the best things we can do to slow its spread is to follow the advice to stay at home. “At Easter, people often spend time with their wider families and go for day trips, but this year we are urging

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting how important it is for people to look after their wellbeing as they stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Professor Hugo van Woerden, Director of Public Health and Medical Director at the PHA, said: “Coronavirus, and the impact it is having on our normal way of life, is understandably going to affect people’s emotional and physical wellbeing – concern about the virus and illness it may cause and the effects of staying at home for a prolonged period, will be affecting people’s wellbeing. However, it’s important to

With the government calling on people to stay at home as much as possible to help stop the spread of coronavirus, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking people who drink alcohol to think about their drinking habits during this period. Michael Owen, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “Several countries are reporting an increase in home drinking and it’s likely that we are no different. Drinking too much alcohol can seriously damage your health and have a negative impact on those around you. Alcohol is an extremely powerful drug and we need to be careful of how we use it.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to follow the advice on social distancing as an essential part of slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and saving lives. Dr Hugo Van Woerden, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to practise social distancing as a key step in saving lives. The guidance to socially distance ourselves from others applies to everyone. We should all be taking steps to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus. “Every one of us has a role to play in this