#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

#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.

#62 Young social innovators - In this episode of the HSE's Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox talks with Roger Warnock, CEO of Young Social Innovators (YSI), about the organisation's efforts to empower young people in Ireland to tackle societal, environmental and health issues through social innovation. They discuss YSI's programmes, such as Activate, which encourages students to create solutions for problems they care about, and the Ignite Community, which reaches out to young people outside the traditional school system. YSI are funded in part by HSE Health and Wellbeing to facilitate youth engagement in many areas of health and wellbeing. Mental health is always a top priority for young people as well as sexual health and vaping, which have been the focus of many projects in recent years. This podcast episode also features experiences from two young individuals from Monaghan College, who share their impactful project on mental health and wellbeing. The conversation underscores YSI's role in fostering youth engagement, confidence, and the drive for change, as well as the organisation's new strategy. For more information go to https://www.youngsocialinnovators.ie/ and to get in touch with the podcast email: Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie

#56 Let's talk about suicide - In this podcast Ailish O’Neill (National Education and Training Manager with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention) and Declan O’Shea (a Lived Experience Contributor) discuss the new, free online suicide prevention training programme from the HSE, ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’, an introductory suicide prevention programme, that helps participants to identify others who might be at risk of suicide, confidently ask about the topic, and connect them with resources that can help them stay safe. It is hoped that ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ will help people develop their language and confidence around talking about suicide, and not to be afraid to discuss it openly. In this podcast Ailish and Declan discuss the importance of breaking the stigma associated with suicide, and how people can sometimes be afraid to talk about suicide, because of the sadness and trauma around the subject. On average, the programme will take 60 minutes to complete, but you can work at your own pace. If you, or someone you know needs support, visit the HSE site www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area.

#55 Reducing alcohol harm - In this podcast episode, Noreen Turley talks to Paula Leonard, CEO of Alcohol Forum Ireland. Alcohol Forum Ireland is a charity that originated to address the hidden harm caused by parental problematic alcohol use and addiction. Paula explains that their mission is to work collaboratively with stakeholders such as HSE, An Garda Síochána, Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and communities to tackle the complexities of alcohol use and its impact on families. Alcohol Forum Ireland's approach, from community action on alcohol to family support and rehabilitation services, offers hope and a path to recovery for many. They advocate for the most effective policy measures and support services to reduce alcohol harm, empower families and communities, and reduce the influence of the alcohol industry on the environment in which we live.

#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.