The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to use World Suicide Prevention Day as an opportunity to ‘have a chat’ with someone they are concerned about. World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on 10 September and the theme this year is ‘Take a minute, change a life.’

Almost One Third of People Think Palliative Care is only Available in a Hospice or Hospital Research published to coincide with Palliative Care Week 2017 (3rd – 9th September) reveals four out of five people think palliative care can only be provided by specialist palliative care teams. It also found that almost one third of people think palliative care is only available in a hospice or hospital. Palliative Care Week is facilitated by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

With more than three-fifths of primary school pupils here being driven to school, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents to get their kids and themselves moving more by walking or cycling the school run. 61% of primary school pupils are driven to or from school by car, while less than a third – only 29% – walk. For post primary, 30% of pupils are driven by car and 18% walk.

The latest phase of the dementia campaign #STILLME will be launched today to raise awareness of the signs of dementia, encourage anyone experiencing any of these signs to seek help, and reduce stigma and fear about the condition.

With the new school year upon us the Public Health Agency (PHA) is on hand with some top tips for packing a healthy lunch. The PHA’s leaflet ‘Are you packing a healthy lunch’ has lots of advice and lunch ideas, and you can find it at www.pha.site/healthylunchbox The main message is to steer clear of fizzy drinks and snacks high in added fat, salt and sugars, and to remember that children only need kid-sized portions.

In light of the p redicted heavy downpours, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people of the potential public health risks associated with flooding. The main risk relates to injuries caused by hidden dangers under the water such as missing manhole covers or people falling into fast flowing waters. The stress and strain of being flooded and cleaning up can also have a notable impact on mental health and wellbeing.

This week young people will be receiving their A-level results and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those planning to go to university for the first time to get the meningococcal vaccine. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against meningococcal disease, which new university students are at particularly high risk of contracting in the first weeks of term, when they will come into contact with many new people of a similar age.