News

Welsh Government is taking steps to address the growing concern in relation to mental health in Wales. It is currently running a campaign across social media, that signposts to the C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline for Wales. The simple message is:

Sut wyt ti? Sut bynnag wyt ti’n teimlo, mae cymorth ar gael 24/7. Galw 0800 132737, neu tecstio ‘help’ i 81066

How are you? No matter how you’re feeling, support is available 24/7. Call 0800 132737 or text “help” to 81066

Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service.

Today, 29 October, is World Stroke Day.

One in four adults will have a stroke at some stage in their lives, but being active can reduce the risk.

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:

• Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
• Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
• Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

For more information on strokes, and how to prevent them click here

Stoptober, the UK’s 28 day national stop smoking campaign, begins on 1 October – and there’s never been a better time to quit!

Smoking remains the single largest cause of preventable ill health in Wales, and a significant cause of health inequity. Despite considerable progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking, data from the Welsh Health Survey 2015 shows there are still around 490,000 adult smokers in Wales. The survey also shows that over two in three smokers want to stop and approximately 40 per cent of smokers actively try to quit each year.Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your own health – and the health of people around you. It’s never too late to quit. You’ll start seeing the benefits immediately, not just for your health but also your finances. Did you know that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good? Click here for more information on smoking and your sight.

Help Me Quit is the single point of contact for smokers who want to stop smoking in Wales. Help Me Quit is:

• a single brand for NHS stop smoking services in Wales
• a bilingual website with information on all NHS stop smoking services in Wales
• a contact centre team that provides smokers with access to all NHS stop smoking services including community pharmacy, Stop Smoking Wales and hospital based services.
• making it easier for smokers to choose the best NHS stop smoking support for them in their local area
• the best choice a smoker can make to quit smoking.

If you’re a smoker, and you want to quit, call Help me Quit on 0800 085 2219 (Freephone number), text them on HMQ to 80818 (texts cost one standard rate message) or go online and complete the short ‘Request a Call-back’ form.

You, your bank balance and your eyes will thank you for it!

Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is avoidable. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes. National Eye Health Week runs from 21 to 27 September – and aims to change all that, because vision really matters.

Click here for information on children’s eye health.

For more information, go to www.visionmatters.org.uk