Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
93. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if his Department has plans for updated health promotion campaigns under the Healthy Ireland framework for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41943/20]
View answerSince early 2018, Healthy Ireland national communications campaigns have highlighted key messages around eating well, being physically active and minding our mental wellbeing. The current campaign; ‘Keep Well’, promotes resilience and positive physical and mental health and wellbeing in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Sláintecare has provided €7m to support delivery of initiatives and support services, working with a range of partners including the HSE, Local Authorities, Children’s and Young People’s Services Committees, Sport Ireland, the Creative Ireland Programme, Libraries Ireland and Bord Bia.
The campaign is focussed on five main themes. These are:
- Keeping active and being outdoors. Physical activity can be really helpful in improving mood and reducing anxiety, in addition to keeping us all fit and healthy
- Staying connected with people safely, as addressing isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection is vital to our wellbeing
- Switching off and being creative or learning something new, getting back to nature and finding ways to relax can also be really beneficial for general wellbeing.
- Eating well allows us to develop a better connection between the food we eat and how we feel and can positively impact our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
- Minding your mood . Under this theme, people will be equipped with information on where to go if they need support.
The Keep Well campaign will run until March 2021, after which Healthy Ireland campaigns will continue to support key Healthy Ireland outcomes; healthy eating, obesity reduction, increased levels of physical activity and positive mental health.
Future campaigns will, in addition, work with partners to support the wider determinants of health, the key themes in the forthcoming Healthy Ireland Strategy and the evolving national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
