HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

#72 Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox discusses the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Ireland. Dr. Matt Kennedy from Belong To and Denise Croke from the HSE share insights from a recent research report revealing high rates of self-harm and suicidal thoughts among LGBTQI+ youth. They emphasise the importance of supportive environments, inclusive education, and the role of allies in fostering acceptance. The episode calls for collective action to create a society where LGBTQI+ individuals feel valued and supported.
 
Supports and services available from LGBTQI+ support organisations such as Belong To https://www.belongto.org/, LGBT Ireland https://lgbt.ie/, Transgender Equality Network Ireland https://teni.ie/.
Freephone Samaritans 116123
Text About It (text HELLO to 50808)
Visit the HSE website www.yourmentalhealth.ie for more information on mental health, supports and services.
 
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#71 Healthy Habits for University Life

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox speaks with Dr. Eithne Hunt, an Occupational Therapist and Lecturer at University College Cork, about practical tips for students to support their health and wellbeing in third level education. This episode is full of useful information for students, parents and teachers or anyone working with young people wishing to advance to third level education. Key topics include the importance of social connections, self-compassion, time management, and sleep. They discuss the challenges students face transitioning to university life and introduce Dr. Hunt's "Everyday Matters" programme. This initiative helps students develop healthy habits and practical skills to enhance their wellbeing. Dr. Hunt shares practical tips and emphasises the value of play and leisure in maintaining mental health and preventing burnout.
 
For more information on the work underway by the Higher Education Authority in the area of Healthy Campus click here. To get in touch with the podcast email us at Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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#70 Think Brain Health

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, Dr. Sean O'Dowd, Consultant Neurologist at TUH, and Clinical Lead at the National Dementia Services, discusses brain health with the host. Dr. O'Dowd, who specialises in cognitive disorders and dementia, explains the functions of different brain parts and emphasises the importance of how we can maintain brain health by making informed lifestyle choices. Dr O'Dowd highlights the brain's neuroplasticity, its ability to change and adapt, and that is it never to early or too late to look after your brain health. He speaks about the positive impact of physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation on brain health, and the link between hearing loss and dementia. In this episode, he highlights the need for increased awareness of brain health and dementia risk factors. Further information can be found at www.understandtogether.ie.
 
Watch our previous podcast episode Dementia - Understand Together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH9IbOUQ2_4
 
“Think Brain Health Webinar – Discover how healthy behaviour’s support your incredible brain”
https://hsehealthandwellbeingnews.com/think-brain-health-webinar-discover-how-healthy-behaviours-support-your-incredible-brain/
 
If you are concerned about dementia or would like to find local services and support, please call the national helpline provided by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for free on 1800 341341 ( Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm).
If you would like to get in touch with the podcast or join the HSE Health and Wellbeing mailing list, email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie.
 
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#69 Healthier Food Environment

The latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast talks about Safefood's latest public health campaign, "#TalkAboutFood which aims to raise awareness about the food environment and its significant impact on children's health.
Dr Aileen McGloin Director of Nutrition with Safe Food and Norah Campbell, Associate Professor of Marketing at Trinity College Dublin talk about the challenges parents face on a daily basis in the current food environment dominated by unhealthy options. The conversation focusses on the food environment and highlights how it encompasses more than just the availability of food. It includes the broader context in which food choices are made, influenced by marketing, cultural norms, and the physical settings where food is available.
 
For more information about #TalkAboutFood visit https://www.safefood.net/healthy-eating/talk-about-food/understanding-food-environment
 
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie 
 
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#68 New Physical Activity Guidelines

The latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast talks about the new national physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines.
Professor Elaine Murtagh and Associate Professor Grainne Hayes from the University of Limerick. The episode centres around the newly launched physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines, exploring their significance, updates from previous guidelines, and recommendations for various population subgroups, including those with disabilities.
The conversation highlights the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour, incorporating muscle-strengthening activities, and understanding the intensity of physical activity. Understanding these intensity levels helps individuals gauge their activity and ensure they are meeting the recommended guidelines. For more information about the guidelines visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/44751-every-move-counts-national-physical-activity-and-sedentary-behaviour-guidelines-for-ireland/
Please get in touch to find out more about our podcast series or the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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#67 Screen Time and Young People

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox discusses the impact of screen time on young children with Dr. Gillian Doyle and Dr. Anne-Marie Casey, Senior Clinical Psychologists. They explore how screen time affects health and wellbeing, emphasising the need for mindful use of devices and advice for family conversations about screen habits. The experts highlight the importance of balancing screen time with other developmental activities and suggest guidelines tailored to children's ages and needs. They also discuss the role of parents in modelling healthy behaviours and creating screen-free times to foster better social and emotional development. For more go to: https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/play/screen-time/
If you would like to get in touch with the podcast or join the HSE Health and Wellbeing mailing list, email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie.
 
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#66 Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids

In this episode, we discuss Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids and much more.
With school routines starting again and parents getting to grips with what to put into those lunchboxes and what to avoid. Marian McBride, Dietetic Lead, HSE Health & Wellbeing discusses the importance of a balanced diet to ensure children develop a healthy relationship with food.
With tips on how to introduce healthier foods into children’s daily diets.  Marian gives ideas on what to include, recognising that parents are busy, she explains that it’s about frequency and taking those different opportunities to introduce healthier options. For more information and ideas visit: https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/healthy-eating
If you would like to get in touch with the podcast or join the HSE Health and Wellbeing mailing list, email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie.
 
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#65 Back to School

In this podcast episode, Dr. Abigail Collins, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Clinical Lead for the National Healthy Childhood Programme, shares expert advice on preparing children for the school year. The discussion covers preventing and managing common childhood illnesses and building healthy routines, as well as advice for children who are anxious about going back to school. The episode provides practical tips for parents during the busy back-to-school period. To find advice for parents, go to MyChild.ie.
 
If you would like to get in touch with the podcast or join the HSE Health and Wellbeing mailing list, email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie.
 
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#64 Patient Partnership

In this podcast episode hosted by Noreen Turley, Anne Lawlor, Chairperson of the HSE's Patient Forum and founder of the 22q Charity Ireland, and Joe Ryan, HSE National Director of Public Involvement, Culture, and Risk Management, discuss the critical theme of patient partnership in the HSE. They highlight the importance of genuine patient involvement at every level of healthcare, to increasingly ensure that patient experiences and voices shape the design, implementation, and evaluation of future healthcare services.
 
Joe emphasises how working in partnership with patients and service users (and their families, carers and supporters) will be a cornerstone of how we work across our health system. This requires a cultural shift but offers numerous opportunities. He explains how the HSE is committed to partnering with patients and how the Better Together framework aims to foster effective patient-professional partnerships.
 
Anne highlights how patient partnership can empower individuals and foster a sense of community, benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals. She reflects on the upcoming Patient Partnership Conference, emphasising the importance of balanced representation from patients and healthcare professionals. The conference aims to foster open conversation and learning from patient experiences, creating a space for genuine interaction and shared learning.
 
Anne invites the public to join this journey towards a more inclusive healthcare system.
 
To find out more and register for the HSE Patient and Public Partnership Conference, "Changing Patient Outcomes: One Partnership at a Time," held on Tuesday, 24th September at Dublin Castle, visit https://www.hsepatientconference.ie/
 
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#63 Mental Health Promotion

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox moderates a discussion among keynote speakers from the National Health Promotion Conference in Galway. The panel includes experts from Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Finland, who share insights on implementing a systems approach to Mental Health Promotion. Topics covered include the importance of political commitment, evidence-based practices, community engagement, and addressing social determinants of mental health. The speakers highlight successful initiatives in their countries and emphasise the need for long-term investment and cross-sector collaboration to effectively promote mental health and well-being.
Our podcasts guests were:
Ms Stephanie Priest, Acting Director General, Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Public Health Agency of Canada
Ms Soile Ridanpää, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland
Professor Laura Shields-Zeeman, Head of Department, Public Mental Health with the Trimbos Institute, the Netherlands
Dr. Aleisha Clarke, National Programme Manager, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Health Service Executive
Professor Margaret Barry, Professor of Health Promotion and Public Health, Health Promotion Research Centre & Discipline of Health Promotion, University of Galway
 
HSE Health and Wellbeing have worked as a partner in the delivery of this annual conference for many years now. Thanks to all our guests for sharing their time and expertise and in particular to University of Galway, Department of Health Healthy Ireland and the Association of Health Promotion Ireland for their partnership working in the hosting and organising of the conference. If you would like more information about the work of HSE Health and Wellbeing in the area of Mental Health and Wellbeing go to: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/our-priority-programmes/mental-health-and-wellbeing/
 
If you would like to get in touch about the podcast please email us at www.healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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