This Governance Snapshot is part of a series that provides examples of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to strengthen health and wellbeing from across the World Health Organsation (WHO) European Region.  It describes the whole-of-government example of the ‘Heathy Ireland’ policy in Ireland.  This is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ireland over the coming generation.  The approach taken by Healthy Ireland draws on Health 2020, the European health policy framework, and on the health-in-all-policies concept.  Find out more at: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/412821/Ireland-Healthy-Ireland-wog.pdf?ua=1

The Public Health Agency (PHA) Training Framework for Mental Emotional Health and Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention (The Framework) is in line with the Protect Life 2 Strategy to reduce the suicide rate in Northern Ireland.  It has been developed to provide clarity on the varying steps and types of training available in Northern Ireland, and to support knowledge and skills development.  It provides a pathway through the varying steps of training, and has been developed to encourage consistency and appropriateness in skills and awareness development.  The PHA invite you to participate in a consultation on the Draft Training Framework - which was developed following extensive engagement and consultation events held in 2017 and 2018.  To participate: (i) download and read the draft Training Framework (http://pha.site/framework); (ii) answer the questions in the Survey Monkey questionnaire (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BW2CNMW); (iii) submit your responses by clicking on the box at the end of the survey.  The consultation will close on Thursday 12th December 2019.  If you have any queries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Zealand Rugby is encouraging fans to take a stand against silence as part of a new campaign to support the conversation around mental health and the stigma associated with getting help: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tme0bOEktnc&feature=youtu.be

We spend more than half of our waking hours at work and, for many of us, that involves sitting down for most or all of the time.  Did you know that moving more during your working day can help you feel more alert and be more productive, and that physical activity can also reduce feelings of fatigue by up to 40 per cent?  During September, the Irish Heart Foundation is encouraging everyone to move more and sit less.  Find out more at: www.escapeyourchair.ie

You are invited to apply for a place at a free event where you will hear the latest research on the impact of loneliness on health and wellbeing from International and National experts.  TILDA and the Department of Sociology in Trinity College Dublin (TCD), in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, have organised this event to examine the relationship between social isolation, loneliness and health, and the policy implications of this.  It will be held on Monday 21st October 2019, from 1.00pm - 5.00pm, in TCD.  Register for a place at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/social-isolation-and-loneliness-health-consequences-and-policy-implication-tickets-72674163379

Firstly, let me start by introducing myself ...  My name is Brien Frazer, and I have recently started in post with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) as a Community Health Development Practitioner focusing on emotional health and wellbeing.  I have worked in various health and wellbeing roles since June 2000, and have a particular passion for men’s health and wellbeing.  I have been a member of the All-Island Men’s Health Week Planning Group for the past three years, and have thoroughly enjoyed coordinating the many events organised each year within the SEHSCT area to celebrate Men’s Health Week and highlight topics specific to men’s health.  In my new role, I am hoping to develop an email database and contact network of men’s groups in the SEHSCT area for information sharing.  Furthermore, I am hoping to complete a Trust-wide scoping exercise to assess what support and training local groups may require.  If you would like to add your men’s group / organisation to the database, please forward the details to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland, in partnership with the All-Ireland Physical Activity and Ageing Group, invite you to their upcoming event titled ‘Physical Activity and Older Adults: What Works? - The Role of Health Professionals’.  This event will take place on Tuesday 22nd October 2019, in Chartered Accountants House, 47/49 Pearse Street, Dublin.  The keynote speaker will be Shane O'Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research in Trinity College Dublin, and author of the book 'In Praise of Walking'.  Places are limited.  To register, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

#123GP and PPR invite you to a Mental Health Congress on Thursday 10th October 2019, from 11.00am - 4.00pm, in the Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road, Belfast, BT13 3AB.  There is an escalating mental health crisis in Northern Ireland.  Yet, at 5.2% of the health budget, funding for mental health in NI lags far behind that of other UK jurisdictions, and is below the global average.  This event will bring together people directly affected by this crisis, activists, concerned practitioners, service providers, academics and others to discuss these issues with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health.  For more information, visit: www.pprproject.org/mental-health-congress-10-october-2019