September is Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Month. During this month, health charities, research institutes and support groups around the world provide information about Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, incurable disease that affects the tissues in the lungs resulting in lung scarring. Overtime, this leads to a decline in lung function. Sufferers will notice an increase caughing and breathlessness.

For more information about Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, visit Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

If you are affected by pulmonary fibrosis Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis are here to help with information and support. Their telephone support service is for people living with pulmonary fibrosis, carers, family members and health and social care professionals.

The Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis support line: 01223 785 725

Social media hashtags: #PFMonth #BreathingLife #CurePF #pulmonaryfibrosis #UseYourLungs

International Relaxation Day 2024

International Relaxation Day will be held on the 15th August, 2024. A day to relax or choose to learn new relaxation techniques. Or perhaps take some time out in a busy day to relax. Since 1985, National Relaxation Day is held annually on the 15th August in the USA. Nowadays, with thanks to social media platforms many people around the world celebrate National Relaxation Day and more recently, International Relaxation Day.

Director of the National Wellbeing Service Ltd, Dr Stephen Palmer PhD who is a registered a Counselling and Health Psychologist said: ‘Research has found that relaxation techniques can reduce stress and anxiety and enhance performance. They are often used with coaching, counselling and therapy. These techniques are simple to learn and apply within one’s daily routines. The National Wellbeing Service launched an International Relaxation Day website in 2023 which has videos on easy to learn relaxation technques. Well worth a visit.’

International Relaxation Day is an opportunity to reflect and share the importance of relaxation and how people, families, organisations and communities can learn about applying relaxation in their daily lives and routines. Social media can be used to share what methods you have found useful to aid relaxation. You can use the hashtags: #InternationalRelaxationDay #InternationalRelaxationDay2024 #Relaxation

If National Relaxation Day is recognised in your country then you can use the hashtag: #NationalRelaxationDay

International Relaxation Day Website

In 2023, the National Wellbeing Service Ltd launched a website dedicated to International Relaxation Day which includes information about how to relax. It also has a Research Hub for health practitioners, teachers, health coaches, doctors, psychologists and other professionals who may wish to use relaxation in their area of work. The development of this website will be an on-going process and new material will uploaded over the coming months.

The main objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

“It is important that stakeholders address the mental health needs of their client groups. Governments should provide adequate funding for mental health services but sadly these services are often underfunded.”

“Some interventions are relatively straight forward to implement. For example, research has found that easy to learn relaxation techniques can be effective in reducing stress and anxiety and can even help to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Relaxation training is a low cost intervention to deliver whether in a clinic, hospital, workplace, school, university, or online. Let’s do it” said Professor Stephen Palmer PhD, Director of the National Academy of Relaxation, a faculty of the National Wellbeing Service Ltd.

Get involved. Follow or use the social media hashtags: #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD #WMHD2023

Links:

World Federation of Mental Health

National Academy of Relaxation

National Wellbeing Service Ltd

IHPE announces Diamond Fellow Awards 2023

Director of the National Wellbeing Service is an Award Recipient

Earlier this year, in order to commemorate those who have contributed to the development of Institute of Health Promotion and Education (IHPE), and most importantly, the field of health promotion and education, the 2023 IHPE was announced the awarding of a special fellowships. The awards were given to the recipients by Karen Buck MP, at a special celebration of 60 Years of the Institute at the House of Commons on the afternoon of Wednesday 7th June 2023.

The Director of the National Wellbeing Service and Centre for Stress Management, Professor Stephen Palmer, was one of the Diamond Fellow Award recipients. He said, “I am delighted and honoured to receive this prestigious Diamond Fellow Award from the Institute of Health Promotion and Education. I congratulate my four colleagues who also received the award for their outstanding contribution to the field of health promotion and education”.

Information about the Institute of Health Promotion and Education

The Institute of Health Promotion and Education (IHPE) is a registered charity managed by Charitable Trustees, each of whom has a proven track record within the field of health promotion and education. It is a recognised professional association offering a range of membership options to those engaged in the practice of health promotion and education. IHPE publishes the respected and peer reviewed International Journal of Health Promotion and Education and is proud to have been at the forefront of developments in the field since 1962.

The purpose of IHPE is to ensure that peoples’ health will be protected and improved and that inequalities in health between individuals, groups, and communities will be significantly reduced.

For further information click on links to the IHPE website below:

IHPE announces Diamond Fellow Awards 2023

Celebration of 60 Years of Health Promotion and Education at the House of Commons

Information about the National Wellbeing Service Ltd

The National Wellbeing Service Ltd was set up in 2015 by a group of psychologists and health educators to provide up-to-date wellbeing-related information, guidance and research to the public and health professionals.

National Academy of Relaxation

The National Academy of Relaxation is an education, research and membership faculty of the National Wellbeing Service Ltd. A key aim of the Academy is to promote relaxation techniques and strategies to enhance physical and psychological wellbeing. There are many decades of research that demonstrate that simple relaxation methods can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. The National Academy was launched in August, 2022.

Our affiliated organisation, Centre for Stress Management was launched in 1987 and since the 1990s it has provided professional body recognised and approved training for health professionals in stress management.

World Hand Hygiene Day on 5 May 

WHO Hand Hygiene Campaign: “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands”

WHO Hand Hygiene Campaign: “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) are calling all health workers and others to join hands in celebrating and empowering nurses and midwives in the monumental work that they do to keep our patients, families, and their colleagues safe by preventing health care-associated infections.

May 2020 calls to action:

Nurses: “Clean and safe care starts with you.”
Midwives: “Your hands make all the difference for mothers and babies.”
Policy Makers: “Increase nurse staffing levels to prevent infections and improve quality of care. Create the means to empower nurses and midwives.”
IPC Leaders: “Empower nurses and midwives in providing clean care.”
Patients and Families: “Safer care for you, with you.”

Take Action

On 5 May join us in clapping at noon in support for the invaluable work that nurses and midwives do to ensure clean care for patients, mothers and babies, including in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Take a video or picture and share on your social media channels with the tags
#SupportNursesandMidwives #HandHygiene #InfectionPrevention
and send to savelives@who.int and/or https://www.CleanHandsSaveLives.org

Social Media Hashtags:

#SupportNursesAndMidwives
#WorldHandHygieneDay
#HandHygiene
#InfectionPrevention

Mental Health Awareness Week

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 May 2019. The theme this year is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies. A time to reflect on Mental Health & take action.

New report on Body Image

New data is available on the extent of body image concerns across the UK, how body image impacts mental health, plus practical steps we can take as a nation. Read the Mental Health Foundation new report on body image.

The National Wellbeing Service Ltd supports Mental Health Awareness Week.

National Work Life Week 2018 is taking place from 1st – 5th October 2018

This week is an opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on well-being at work and work-life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for employees, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.

Join the conversation using #WorkLifeWeek and tweet us @workingfamUK

Visit the National Work Life Week website for further information.

Ideas on Achieving a healthy work-life balance are on the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) website.

World Hepatitis Day

We could not be more excited to celebrate our second birthday this World Hepatitis Day (WHD) on Saturday 28 July, 2018. It’s been another great year and as a movement is only a movement if people are behind it, we want to thank each one of you who have contributed to its success so far.

To mark WHD, we’ve been raising awareness of diagnosis rates around the world to help find the missing millions. To get involved and show your support include the #NOhep and #WorldHepatitisDay hashtags in your social media posts.

More information, visit our webpage.

The National Wellbeing Service publishes three academic online journals: 

– International Journal of Stress Prevention and Wellbeing (IJSPW)
– European Journal of Counselling Theory, Research and Practice (EJC-TRAP)
– European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (EJAPP)

We now have a central hub so that the articles can be found on one page: http://www.nationalwellbeingservice.net/nws-journal-articles-2017/

Take a look if you are interested stress prevention, wellbeing, counselling and/or applied positive psychology. All articles can be viewed online.

The National Wellbeing Service is keen to promote Mental Health Awareness Week, held on 8-14 May 2017 which is focusing on mental health from a new angle. Rather than ask why so many people are living with mental health problems, we will seek to uncover why too few of us are thriving with good mental health. With people struggling to cope with the demands of life and stuck on getting through the day, we will explore:

how many of us are surviving or thriving, and the difference between the two
why some communities are under strain and what government can do to support them to thrive
what steps we can take to look after our mental health, building resilience to cope with the demands of life.
Throughout the week the personal stories of people who are surviving or thriving will be highlighted.

On facebook and twitter please use the hashtag: #MHAW17

World Health Day 2017 Focuses On Depression

World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, provides us with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The National Wellbeing Service Ltd supports World Health Day by promoting it over our social media networks.

The theme of the 2017 World Health Day campaign is depression.

National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD) Wednesday, 2nd November, 2016

The Theme for National Stress Awareness Day, Wednesday 2nd November 2016: “Workforce Wellness – Your Prime Investment”

Workplace Stress – Today’s Hidden Secret. Most employees won’t admit they’re stressed, because they think
it could harm their career prospects – according to latest research. To coincide with National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD16) on Wednesday 2nd November 2016, new research from the International Stress Management Association UK (ISMA UK), the UK’s leading Stress Management charity, has revealed that two thirds of employees fear to admit that they are suffering from stress as they believe this could harm their career prospects.

Further details about NSAD16, visit the ISMA website.

Please use hashtags on twitter: #nationalstressawarenessday #nsad16

JOIN US FOR WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2016 held on the 28th July

The theme for this year’s global campaign is ELIMINATION.

The National Wellbeing Service supports and promotes World Hepatitis Day 2016.

2016 is a pivotal year for viral hepatitis. At the World Health Assembly in May, WHO Member States are set to adopt the first ever Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis, with ambitious targets and a goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This will be the first time national governments sign up and commit to the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis.

Canada takes a stand against Viral Hepatitis

OTTAWA, June 16, 2016 – The Honourable Jane Philpott, Canada’s minister for health, reaffirmed today Canada’s commitment to participate in the global fight against viral hepatitis.

Speaking at a breakfast on Parliament Hill organized by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH), Philpott said to the health professionals, government officials, civil society representatives and hepatitis survivors in attendance,  “We are committed to do the work to end hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. We are working closely with provinces and territories to address the ongoing burden of viral hepatitis.”

Canada, along with 193 other Member States, recently adopted the Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The goal – the elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030 – signals the greatest ever global commitment on viral hepatitis.

The Parliamentary Breakfast also marked the launch of the World Hepatitis Day campaign in Canada.  WHD, celebrated annually on July 28, is dedicated to raising awareness about viral hepatitis and promoting prevention, and access to testing, treatment and care. Again this year, the Canadian campaign is spearheaded by CSIH and links some 65 organizations planning more than 100 events across the country. This year’s theme is: Know your status? Get tested. Know your options.

Eva Slawecki, Executive Director, CSIH said, “Hepatitis is not just somebody else’s problem. Thousands of Canadians may be affected by the virus and not know it yet. We urge everyone to get informed and get tested.”

Dr. Curtis Cooper, Director of The Ottawa Hospital Regional Viral Hepatitis Program, said, “The adoption of the Global Strategy is a milestone in the fight against viral hepatitis. It is now up to every country that signed on, including Canada, to do what it takes to eliminate these diseases.”

Facts:

• Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of five hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis B and C may lead to liver failure, cancer, disability and death.
• There are some 600,000 Canadians living with hepatitis, many of whom are unaware of their condition. Worldwide, more than 400 million people are infected, and 1.4 million die every year from the condition – more than HIV/AIDS or malaria.
• For more information on the Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/wha69-28-may-2016/en/

The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) brings the Canadian global health community together to better achieve a shared goal of improving health worldwide. www.csih.org

Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

16-22 May, 2016 

Every year, thousands of supporters across the UK take part in Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the week will take place from May 16-22 on the theme of relationships.

Healthy and supportive relationships are key to good mental health. Join us in celebrating the people and connections in our lives that add to our wellbeing and help us thrive.

Hold an event

Think about ways you can bring people together and start conversations around mental health. Some suggestions could be to:

• Host a wellbeing walk – with friends, colleagues or people in your community
• Set up a stand in your local hospital, community centre, library or supermarket
• Hold a series of lectures or talks on mental health – make it interactive as possible and get the audience involved!

The Mental Health Foundation fundraising team have got you covered with more event ideas for the workplace, schools and your communities.

You can add your event to the activity map – you can also see what other people are planning during the week.

Spread the word

During the week, the Mental Health Foundation will be posting stories and information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please follow them to help share their messages and to join in the discussion. You can also let them know what you’re getting up to by using the tag #MHAW16.

Visit the website for more information.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

16-22 May, 2016 

Every year, thousands of supporters across the UK take part in Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the week will take place from May 16-22 on the theme of relationships.

Healthy and supportive relationships are key to good mental health. Join us in celebrating the people and connections in our lives that add to our wellbeing and help us thrive.

Hold an event

Think about ways you can bring people together and start conversations around mental health. Some suggestions could be to:

• Host a wellbeing walk – with friends, colleagues or people in your community
• Set up a stand in your local hospital, community centre, library or supermarket
• Hold a series of lectures or talks on mental health – make it interactive as possible and get the audience involved!

The Mental Health Foundation fundraising team have got you covered with more event ideas for the workplace, schools and your communities.

You can add your event to the activity map – you can also see what other people are planning during the week.

Spread the word

During the week, the Mental Health Foundation will be posting stories and information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please follow them to help share their messages and to join in the discussion. You can also let them know what you’re getting up to by using the tag #MHAW16.

Visit the website for more information.

World Health Day 2016: WHO calls for global action to halt rise in and improve care for people with diabetes

First WHO Global report on diabetes: 422 million adults live with diabetes, mainly in developing countries.

6 APRIL, 2016 | GENEVA – The number of people living with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries. Factors driving this dramatic rise include overweight and obesity, WHO announced ahead of World Health Day.

WHO is marking its annual World Health Day (7 April), which celebrates the Organization’s founding in 1948, by issuing a call for action on diabetes. In its first “Global report on diabetes”, WHO highlights the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease.

For more information, visit our National Wellbeing Service World Health Day 2016 webpage.

International Day of Happiness 20th March, Every Year!

Striving for a Happy Planet

International Day of Happiness is a day to be happy. Launched in 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness in order to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the planet. The UN launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet which are three key items that lead to happiness and wellbeing.

The United Nations invites any person of any age to celebrate the International Day of Happiness each year on 20th March.

Show you support by tweeting on the 20th March with the hashtag  #InternationalDayOfHappiness

Heart Month 2016

Every February is our Heart Month. There are things you can do to help your heart and you can encourage your friends, family and work colleagues to take action too. Visit our National Wellbeing Service webpage for more information.