No matter how much you drink, find out how it affects your health and mental wellbeing at www.askaboutalcohol.ie, a new website from the HSE
The HSE has launched a new website for the public on alcohol – about how much we’re drinking, how it affects us healthwise, and how we can gain more by drinking less.
Speaking at the launch this morning, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, HSE National Director for Health & Wellbeing said, “This is the first HSE website that provides dedicated information about alcohol risk and offers support and guidance to anyone who wants to cut back on their drinking.
Comprehensive surveys show that harmful drinking patterns have become the norm for many people in Ireland, while awareness of the significant risk associated with these drinking patterns remains low. The HSE, in providing a wide range of health and related services, has insight into the impact of alcohol harm nationally. Whether it is through the well-known ED experience or right through inpatient and mental health services, our experts are well-placed to engage with the public to advise and support individuals in making clear and informed choices.”
www.askaboutalcohol.ie has been created to provide authoritative information source on alcohol risk to enable everyone to manage their own health better. It is also designed to work in tandem with public health legislation and planned regulatory changes on alcohol labelling, availability and pricing.
Launching the new website Minister Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy said, “I am delighted that we now have a high-quality and engaging source of evidence-based information on alcohol, provided by the HSE in partnership with our wider health community. Giving people information on the risks associated with alcohol is of huge value, yet if we want to see positive changes in our drinking habits then we have to make healthier choices about consumption. The measures in the Public Health Alcohol Bill will help create a supportive environment for making healthier choices when it comes to alcohol. Ultimately, together, we want to reduce the enormous burden of alcohol related harm on Irish families.”
The HSE’s Ask About Alcohol communications campaign will feature supporting promotional materials, social media content, radio advertisements and a digital marketing campaign to take place across the coming months.