You are invited to a webinar to launch ‘On Feirm Ground’ - a Healthy Ireland initiative targeting farmers' wellbeing through training agricultural advisors to engage with farmers about their health.  This event is being held on Monday 19th October 2020 at Noon, and will be addressed by Frank Feighan TD (Junior Minister for Public Health) and Martin Heydon TD (Junior Minister for Farm Safety).

‘On Feirm Ground’ is a pioneering inter-sectoral project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health and the HSE, with research funding from IT Carlow and Teagasc.  It will be delivered by the Engage National Men's Health Training programme to Farm Advisors across the Republic of Ireland.

To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BBCskJL-SOG2qkh921Ma1Q

Do you want to become a highly skilled facilitator and advance within your chosen profession or seek new employment opportunities? ...  If so, you might consider the Master of Arts in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Wellbeing.  This is an innovative practice-orientated programme; the only one of its kind nationally.  It is designed to enhance personal growth and development, and to advance the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies required for effective facilitation of health and wellbeing programmes with groups, individuals and key populations.  This is a full time course, and its delivery reflects the flexibility required for adult learners.  The programme is delivered in Dublin on one Friday and Saturday per month per semester, and via three residential weekends - dispersed across the three semesters from January 2021.  For further information, check out www.wit.ie/wd591 or take a look at this short video https://youtu.be/PS4jHSm_yjs   For all queries, please contact the course leaders by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Both the Health Service Executive and the Public Health Agency now have free smartphone Apps to help us to protect each other and slow the spread of coronavirus.  Find out more at: https://covidtracker.gov.ie [RoI]   |   https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing-covid-19/stopcovid-ni-contact-tracing-app [NI]

Although many people are not going abroad for a holiday this year due to COVID-19, it’s worth remembering that the sun in Ireland can also cause a lot of skin damage.  As the good weather encourages more people to be outside, there is an increasing need to be ‘sun smart’ - as skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland.  You can find out how at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMEL5OuesA  |  www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSvudyajTyI

In mid-June 2020, the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland launched ‘Sharing the Vision’ - as the successor to ‘A Vision for Change’.  This carries forward those elements of the original policy that still have relevance in-light of expert opinion.  It incorporates new recommendations to enhance national policy while, simultaneously, aligning with the ten-year vision for reform and transformation of Ireland’s health and social care services encapsulated in the Sláintecare report.  Sharing the Vision focuses on developing a broad-based mental health policy for the whole of the population.  A large-scale consultation process informed the recommendations in this policy, and it directly engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including people with personal experience, family members, community and voluntary sector groups and staff.  Download this document at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2e46f-sharing-the-vision-a-mental-health-policy-for-everyone

Age Friendly Network NI and the Public Health Agency have produced a 'Keeping Well at Home' booklet for older people who are self-isolating during COVID-19.  This free resource is targeted at those who are unable to go outside, or have limited / no access to online resources.  The booklet contains practical information on: home exercises; mental wellbeing; staying safe from scammers; safety in the home; nutrition and hydration; managing your energy supplies; and useful contacts.  An electronic copy of this publication can be downloaded at: www.makinglifebettertogether.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Keeping-Well-at-Home-July-2020.pdf  and hard copies can be ordered from AGE NI.  Age NI has also teamed-up with Mary Peters to launch 'Move with Mary' - an exercise programme aimed specifically at keeping older people moving during the extended Covid-19 period.  Check it out at: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZgroTgDNfIDglYTD44VfnFwP-sOUyr8T

Although young people are estimated to have the lowest mortality rates from COVID-19, they are not immune to its consequences.  LGBTI+ young people didn't stop experiencing crises during the current pandemic.  Many felt even more isolated from their support networks.  Some experienced emotional and physical abuse.  Many felt alone, scared and anxious.  It had an impact on their mental and physical health.  BeLonG To Youth Services conducted a ‘LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown’ survey to try to understand what life is like for LGBTI+ youth during the pandemic, in order to provide the most appropriate support to them.  You can read the findings at: https://belongto.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LGBTI-Life-in-Lockdown-Key-Findings.pdf

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.  It's caused by a virus called Coronavirus.  This is spread in sneeze or cough droplets, and infects you via your eyes, nose or mouth.  However, there’s a lot of false information being circulated, so it’s crucial to follow the official up-to-date guidance from the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland (https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus) and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland (https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus).  Everyone's lives and daily routines are affected by the measures that have been introduced to disrupt the spread of the virus, and keep us all safe.  It's normal to be worried or to feel stressed during this difficult time, but there are many things we can do to help us mind our mental health and wellbeing.  Start by checking out: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together