HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

#145 Skin Cancer Prevention: Be SunSmart

In this podcast episode, Specialist in Public Health Dr. Breeda Neville and skin cancer prevention advocate Bernie Rice join us to discuss the SunSmart campaign and the critical importance of skin protection to prevent skin cancer in Ireland. They are working tirelessly to increase awareness of the steps you and your family can take to protect your skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer. Dr. Neville details the SunSmart campaign and the fight against skin cancer, the protective measures that can be taken and the need for increased awareness in Ireland. Bernie shares her poignant story of losing her daughter Sharon to melanoma skin cancer, reinforcing the campaign's significance. The episode covers the dangers of unregulated tanning products, the special vulnerability of children to UV damage, and strategies for promoting sun safety among outdoor workers. The conversation underscores the value of early detection, education, and personal advocacy in combating skin cancer. More information available at https://www.hse.ie/sunsmart/
To get in touch with the podcast email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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#144 Understanding Endometriosis in young people

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Noreen Turley speaks with Kathleen King, HSE National Endometriosis Education Lead, and Cate O’Connor, HSE National Endometriosis Education Officer, who have developed an educational programme educating young people in school and clubs about periods, pelvic pain and the impact of endometriosis and adenomyosis. They explore how severe menstrual symptoms can affect school, college, work, sport, friendships as well as mental health, and why it is vital to distinguish typical period discomfort from distressing symptoms that regularly disrupt daily activities. Kathleen explains that endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition, predominantly found in the pelvis, linked with severe cyclical pain, bowel and bladder problems, fatigue and migraine, and that it can be difficult to diagnose. The guests put a real emphasise on the importance of tracking menstrual symptoms over several months, noticing patterns, and bringing concrete information to GP appointments.
They introduce MISE, the HSE menstrual health and endometriosis education programme for schools, workplaces and sports clubs, adapted from a long‑running New Zealand initiative. MISE aims to normalise conversations about menstrual health, empower young people to understand their bodies, and help parents and teachers recognise when to seek medical advice. The episode also outlines how GPs can use HSE clinical guidance to make a presumptive diagnosis and start treatment, and highlights trusted information sources, including MISE Ireland and HSE.ie
 
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#143 Tobacco End Game

In this episode of HSE Talk and Health and Wellbeing, host Noreen speaks with Dr. Paul Kavanagh, a public health consultant and adviser to HSE Tobacco Free Ireland. Drawing on personal experience and expert knowledge, Dr. Kavanagh explores Ireland's tobacco endgame - the goal of eliminating tobacco harm entirely by 2035. He discusses the ongoing impact of smoking on Irish society, the tobacco industry's influence on policy, and bold strategies such as a tobacco-free generation policy and nicotine reduction in cigarettes. The discussion includes a call to action for public support to eliminate tobacco’s influence and highlights the stop smoking supports available both online and in person for those seeking support to quit.
 
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#142 How Alcohol Affects Your Brain

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Noreen Turley talks to Dr Sean O’Dowd, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead for HSE National Dementia Services, and Dr Claire Neill, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the National Health Improvement Team.
 
They discuss how alcohol affects the brain in the short and long term, including its impact on mood, sleep and mental health. They also explore alcohol use among young people, why there is no safe level of alcohol for health, and how population-level measures like pricing, availability and marketing restrictions can reduce harm.
 
Drinking alcohol, especially at higher levels over time, can damage brain cells and is linked to a higher risk of dementia. This makes changing your drinking an important way to protect your brain health. Claire and Sean share practical advice on how cutting down on alcohol can improve your sleep, mood, energy and thinking, and how the brain can recover when people reduce or stop drinking.
 
They also highlight supports available if you’re concerned about your drinking. Your GP can help by offering advice, carrying out a brief assessment and, if needed, referring you to HSE drug and alcohol services or counselling.
 
You can also contact the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 or visit Ask About Alcohol for clear, trusted information and support:
www.dementia.ie
www.askaboutalcohol.ie
 
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#141 Baby Talk: Stories, Songs and Support

In this HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing episode, host Noreen Turley talks to neonatal speech and language therapist and SPARK HSCP National Innovation Fellow, Deirdre Bradley, about how reading, talking and singing to babies from day one can shape their brains, support bonding and boost long‑term language and literacy. Drawing on powerful research and her 20 years’ experience in neonatal care, Deirdre explains how Baby Talk started in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and now offer supports and resources to all neonatal units with the support of HSE Spark Innovation, HSE library  and community library partners.
Baby Talk is a simple idea transforming care for some of Ireland’s tiniest patients – premature and vulnerable babies in neonatal units. Listeners will hear moving stories of parents, grandparents and staff using books, baby-friendly “Tonie Boxes” and simple songs to comfort babies through long hospital stays and separation, while also easing parental anxiety and supporting mental health. Deirdre shares how this initiative, available to all neonatal units in Ireland, supports the brain and language development of premature and vulnerable babies by encouraging parents to read, sing, and talk to their little ones from the earliest days. From specially selected books and multilingual resources to voice-recording devices that keep families connected, Baby Talk is transforming neonatal care.
Deidre also highlights practical, realistic tips that any parent or carer can start today, reading one short book to a baby demonstrates how everyday moments and familiar voices can add up to over a million words of language exposure before school. 
 
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#140 Digital Mental Health support for young people

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we speak with Joseph Morning, Head of Learning and Curriculum at spunout, about digital mental health resources for young people. Joseph introduces Navigator, which is a free, anonymous online tool helping 16–25-year-olds find tailored mental health support in Ireland and explains how real young people shaped its development.  We also explore spunout's Safer Conversations Online course, which guides users in discussing sensitive topics like suicide and self-harm responsibly on social media. Overall the episode offers a warm, insightful conversation about empowering young people through trusted digital resources. For more detail on spunout’s resources check out:
Navigator: https://spunout.ie/navigator/
Safer Conversations Online: https://spunout.ie/academy/course/view.php?id=24
 
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#139 Fostering: Opening your Heart, Opening your Home

This episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing explores the real experiences of fostering in Ireland, Noreen Turley is joined Noeleen O'Reilly, foster parent who has welcomed many children into her family home over the last 20 years and Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla’s national lead for Foster Care. Together they explore what fostering really looks like day to day. Listeners will hear honest reflections on the emotional ups and downs, the impact of trauma, and the difference a safe, stable home can make in a child’s life. The conversation looks at the supports available for foster carers, the importance of working together across services and with birth families and clarifies some of the most common misconceptions about fostering and who is eligible to foster children in Ireland. Whether you are simply curious or actively considering fostering, this episode offers clear, accessible information and signposts on how to find out more about fostering in your area.
 
To talk to Tusla about fostering as an option - visit fostering.ie, call freephone 1800 226 771 or email tusla.fostering@tusla.ie.
 
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#138 Mental Health Recovery

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, we speak with Michael Ryan, Head of Mental Health Engagement and Recovery at the HSE. Together, they explore the evolution of mental health services in Ireland, highlighting the shift towards recovery-oriented, person-centred care. Michael shares his personal journey and emphasises the value of lived experience, peer support, and recovery education. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace hope, empowerment, and collaboration in mental health, and invites everyone to view recovery as a shared, ongoing journey.
 
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#137 Exam Calm for Parents

This episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, hosted by Noreen Turley and joined by Dr. Jean Sorohan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, offers practical support for parents and carers helping a young person through exam season. Jean shares down-to-earth advice on how to stay calm, ease pressure, build healthy routines, and encourage mindful coping at home. The conversation also touches on neurodivergent inclusion and trusted supports, along with the reminder that one exam does not define you. It is a reassuring conversation for any parent or carer who wants to feel more confident in supporting their young. For supports and further information, visit https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/camhs/ or https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/primary-care-psychology/
 
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#136 Radon Awareness

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox is joined by Dr. Mary O’Mahony to discuss radon; a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the leading source of radiation exposure in Ireland. They explore radon’s health risks, especially its link to lung cancer, and highlight the importance of testing homes and using radon-proof membranes in new builds. The episode also covers government efforts, prevention strategies, and available resources, while encouraging listeners to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from radon exposure. They highlight the increased risk to smokers and also point to HSE Stop Smoking services available on https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/quit-smoking/. For more on Radon go to HSE National Cancer Control Programme website.
 
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