#49 Alcohol support services - In this podcast episode, Dr. Colin O'Driscoll, Clinical Lead Psychosocial Services, and Eleanor Keogh, Project Worker, both with the Mid-West Alcohol Service, discuss the HSE Integrated Alcohol Service. They tell us that this service works with community agencies to offer personalised support for those with alcohol concerns, ranging from mild to severe. They provide assessments and support for individuals and their families, highlighting that help is available for anyone struggling with alcohol use. In this episode, we discuss the high level of alcohol consumption in Ireland, emphasising the service's collaborative, non-judgmental approach and stress the importance of early intervention and community awareness to combat stigma. For further information and supports visit www.hse.ie/alcohol or call the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459

#45 Youth drug & alcohol support - In this podcast episode, Emma Loughrey, Counsellor for the HSE Addiction Services, and Dr Monica Whyte, Systemic Therapist for the HSE Adolescent Substance Abuse Service, discuss the critical topic of substance use among young people, with a focus on the services provided by Youth Drug and Alcohol (YoDA) service in Tallaght, Dublin. They shed light on the prevalent substances among youth today, such as cannabis, nitrous oxide, and alcohol, and the impacts these substances can have on their lives.

#44 Sláintecare Healthy Communities - In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we discuss the Sláintecare Healthy Community initiative in Dublin's North East Inner City with guests Catherine Heaney and Cáit Donnelly. They explore the recent evaluation report and the importance of partnerships between the HSE and community organisations like Dublin City Community Co-op. The conversation highlights the diverse and complex communities they serve, including areas of disadvantage and the impact of social determinants on health. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities project aims to improve long-term health and wellbeing by addressing broader social needs alongside lifestyle factors. The episode emphasises the value of partnership working and community development in health promotion.

#40 Communities Saving Lives - In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we hear about the role of Community First Responders (CFRs) from Ger O’Dea, the Community Engagement Manager with the HSE National Ambulance Service. Ger highlights the importance of community involvement in emergency situations, especially in rural Ireland where ambulance response times can be longer and explains how they provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to anybody who wants to become a CFR. Hosted by Fergal Fox, they discuss the critical first five minutes of a cardiac arrest, the misconceptions between cardiac arrest and heart attack, and the automated system that alerts CFRs to emergencies. Ger emphasises the need for widespread CPR training and the use of AEDs, and he encourages listeners to get involved in CFR schemes to help save lives in their communities. The episode highlights the importance of community engagement, training, and the maintenance of emergency response equipment to enhance survival rates in cardiac events. It all makes for a very inspiring episode, which we hope encourages you to play your part in Communities Saving Lives! For more on becoming a CFR go to www.becomeacfr.ie and to learn more about the work of the HSE National Ambulance Service go to www.nationalambulanceservice.ie

#39 Parenting: Talking It Out - In our latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast host Eamon Keogh, talks with Parenting Facilitators, Lulu O’Kelly, Bray Area Partnership and Linda Pickett, Northside Area Partnership. They talk about the parenting peer groups they run, how they are a safe, non-judgemental place, where day to day experiences, like meal times, screen times and the big one, “Saying No” are discussed. They discuss every day challenges parents face, offering some guidance, based on their vast experiences. They also discuss the value and role of peer support in parenting groups, where parents lean on each other and find comfort in the fact that in most cases, they are all dealing with the same day to day issues.

#38 Ten Tips for a Healthy 2024 - The HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast relaunches this week as host Fergal Fox, with Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officers, Dr Michelle Hardie-Murphy and Aisling Doherty, discuss ten tips to kick start the New Year. They talk about setting realistic goals, the importance of enjoying healthy activities and celebrating small victories. The episode emphasises the need for flexibility, self-care, and regular reflection in the face of setbacks. They highlight the HSE’s quit smoking services and other free resources on the Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel and in the community through the likes of ParkRun and Local Sports Partnerships. They underscore the value of getting support for your behaviour change while recognising that many things influence people’s health outside of their lifestyle behaviours. For more information visit HSE Health and Wellbeing on Youtube, Safefood website, ParkRun, Sport Ireland, Quit.ie, Minding Your Wellbeing and yourmentalhealth.ie.