Powering Health has been working with South Dublin Libraries on a 'Ways to Wellness' project which will run for the month of June 2020.  Each week, a short video is released which focuses on the overarching theme of healthier social media usage.  These clips are available on the South Dublin Libraries Facebook page.  You can also view the first two clips on Vimeo, which focus upon 'Healthy Social Media' and 'Good Sleep for Good Health'.  Given these times of so much online activity, this is certainly a much needed resource.

This annual publication presents a comprehensive analysis of health inequality gaps between the most and least deprived areas of Northern Ireland, and within Health and Social Care Trust and Local Government District areas.  The report is accompanied by downloadable data tables which contain all figures - including District Electoral Areas as well as urban and rural breakdowns.  Find out more at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-inequalities-annual-report-2020

Speaking directly with less well-off middle-aged men, the Samaritans have explored what these men need from support services when they're struggling.  Moving beyond what we know about the risk factors for this group, the new report 'Out of sight, out of mind: Why less well-off, middle-aged men don’t get the support they need' focused on the lived experience of these men.  In-depth ethnographic interviews were conducted with men across the UK and Ireland, in which they spoke about the challenges they faced, and the events which led them to crisis point.  Crucially, the interviews explored what these men felt had worked for them when they came into contact with support services.  See the report at: www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/middle-aged-men-suicide

'Attitudes to Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland: An Improving Landscape?' - by Lucy Michael - explores trends in public attitudes to migrant workers in Northern Ireland using data from the 2018 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.  Lucy has also produced a video where she discusses the findings, and their significance.  Find out more at: www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/sites/default/files/2020-04/update131.pdf

turn2me offers a stepped care approach to mental health online.  It is free to join turn2me as a member, and free to use the 'Thought Catcher' service and to participate in online Support Groups.  They also provide a limited number of free one-to-one counselling sessions online for members in the Republic of Ireland.  All services are facilitated and clinically monitored by mental health professionals - who are fully qualified and registered with their governing bodies.  To find out more, visit https://www.turn2me.ie

Worry and anxiety are commonplace across Northern Ireland.  With the legacy of the Troubles, the challenges that face our young people and, now, the added strain of Coronavirus, strengthening our resilience is more important than ever.  The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust - in partnership with ASCERT - has produced a booklet to help people do deal with worry.  You can download the booklet and see their short video at: https://www.ascert.biz/community-services/resources/dealing-with-worry-in-difficult-times

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland is inviting you to take part in an online, anonymous, international survey to help understand how people are coping during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The survey has been developed by the International Loneliness and Social Isolation Research Network (I-LINK) that includes the Institute of Public Health along with Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin and Maynooth University, as well as colleagues from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.  The study seeks to learn about the issues people are facing, and how they are managing with social distancing and changes to everyday life - so gaining valuable insights into life before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, including key challenges and coping strategies.  If you would be willing to participate in this survey, visit: https://bit.ly/36PxDg1

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.  Find out how at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMEL5OuesA  and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSvudyajTyI