News and Events
International Men’s Health Week takes place from 15th-21st June and this year’s theme is ‘One Step at a Time’ – focusing on making small, realistic changes to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives Blood Donation reflects the same values that underpin public service – helping others, protecting life, and supporting communities in time of need. Members of An Garda Síochána regularly witness the importance of emergency medical care following road traffic collisions, serious incidents, and medical emergencies where access to blood can be critical. By donating blood, we can all play a part in strengthening this vital lifeline and supporting the work of healthcare professionals across Ireland.
New Resource: Movements That Matter - quick, evidence-based movements to help reduce MSK injury risk. The Movements That Matter toolkit gives you simple, practical movements to look after yourself — exercises you can do in uniform, in a stationary car, at your desk, or outside.
It is World Digestive Health Day on May 29th. This is an annual global awareness campaign by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). They aim to raise public awareness regarding the prevention, prevalence, and treatment of specific gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, and to encourage good gut health. The theme for World Digestive Health Day 2026 is "Chronic Diarrhea: Don't Flush the Signs Away."
International Men's Health Week (MHW) runs from Monday 15th until Sunday 21st June. During 2026, everyone in Ireland will be asked to try to improve the health of men and boys one step at a time and to make progress rather than seek perfection. What does this mean for you and what small steps can you take? Please read below.
Organ Donation Awareness Week The Irish Kidney Association is launching organ donor awareness week, which runs from 16 to 23 May in conjunction with the HSE's Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI). Under legislation since June 2025, people are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have registered their opt-out decision. The association said that family agreement remains essential and that organ donation will not proceed without it, so sharing wishes is important.
National Volunteering Week is a weeklong celebration of volunteering. Along with the network of Volunteer Centres, Volunteer Ireland uses National Volunteering Week to amplify the incredible stories of volunteering in our communities through social and traditional media. It’s a week full of events, both online and in person, with everything from yoga to coffee mornings to seminars on offer. #NVWIreland National Volunteering Week 2026 centres on the theme “From Every Corner, For Every Cause” which celebrates all the different types of volunteers and volunteering that make up our communities.
Aware Free Upcoming Monthly Webinar Join Aware for their free May webinar (Wed 13th at 12pm) where they will explore how ADHD and depression can often overlap and influence one another. They will look at how symptoms can present, where challenges may arise, and practical ways to support wellbeing.
Mental Health Ireland - eLearning Module: Hello, how are you?
World Ovarian Cancer Day (May 8) in Ireland shines a light on a disease that affects over 400 women annually. Irish campaigners and the INGO (Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology) promote the BEAT symptoms—Bloating, Eating less/feeling full, Abdominal pain, Toilet changes—to encourage early detection, as Ireland has high incidence and mortality rates.
Aware volunteers are providing support in a four part walk series led by experienced Dublin Mountain Partnership volunteer rangers. The walks take place on the last Saturday of the month during May, June and July and are designed to support individuals living with depression and anxiety by providing an opportunity to connect with others and experience the therapeutic benefits of nature.
In a demanding role like An Garda Síochána, healthy eating can often take a back seat. Long shifts and busy schedules can lead to quick food choices that don’t always support your energy or wellbeing. However, small changes can make a big difference. Healthy eating is about balance. Regular meals that include carbohydrates, protein, and plenty of fruit and vegetables help maintain energy, support concentration, and overall health. Planning ahead — such as preparing meals or bringing food to work — can help you stay fueled throughout the day.
The Get Active Programme is a new physical activity programme available through the HSE Health App. This free 10-week programme includes: • A graded walking plan • Strength-based exercise sessions What you’ll get: When you sign up, you’ll also receive a free Get Active pack, including: • Step-counter • Resistance bands • Programme manual
World Sleep Day and Nutrition & Hydration Week 2026
Free ParenTalk Lunch & Learn Webinar
Lena Ezine - February 2026
National Grief Awareness Week (January 26th – February 1st 2026)
Celebrating Two Years of the Mental Health First Aid Programme in An Garda Síochána
Looking After Your Mental Health and Wellbeing this Christmas and New Year
HUGG Walks: New Year's Day Walk, Dodder Canal, Charlemont Luas stop to Milltown, Dublin. Thursday, 1st January, 2026, 10.30am
Lena E-zine (Bumper Edition Dec 25 & Jan 26)
Lena's November Employee E-zine
Aware's Life Skills Programme
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Wednesday 15th October
Prioritising our mental health and wellbeing
HSE Health and Wellbeing - Every Move Counts
Dublin North Event: Living with Loss - A Bereavement Information Event (Tuesday, the 23rd of September from 7pm – 9pm)
REGISTER NOW: MyHealth RCSI autumn programme is now live!
As part of our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing across An Garda Síochána, the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) Wellbeing Team recently hosted their third annual wellbeing event – Wellbeing Month, packed with a series of informative and uplifting events.
Lena By Inspire July & August 2025 E-zine
Lena E-zine June 2025
Aware May Webinar - Why do we get depressed?
Lena By Inspire May 2025 Ezine
HSE - Balancing Stress Programme
May: Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Lena By Inspire April 2025 Ezine
March 14th - World Sleep Day 2025: Make Sleep a Priority
GISC Coffee Morning in aid of Samaritans
March Edition of Lena’s Employee Ezine
Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day: A Workplace Wellbeing Perspective for An Garda Síochána
Occupational Health and Wellbeing at the Living Well Expo: Marking World Cancer Day
National Grief Awareness Week January 27 – February 2 2025
Join Us for Brew Monday at Garda Headquarters
Save the date: An Garda Síochána Living Well Expo
Embracing Dry January: A Path to Wellbeing
Brew Monday: A Cuppa for a Cause!
Imagine the type of Christmas that you want to have?
November 2024
Research suggests that burn out is common in the helping professions.
September (Mean Fomhair/Middle Harvest)
Lughnasadh/August and workplace wellbeing
“Summertime, and the living is easy” is the opening line to the famous Ella Fitzgerald song, but this month’s article asks; is summertime experienced as easy these days?
Community, togetherness, in nature, bloom, celebration, Collaboration, movement, play and ease.
Surviving and thriving in the fast pace of change
April is distinctively marked by the arrival of an Fainleog (the swallow). April is the first month filled with light. Time has sprung forward.
March represents birth, renewal and balance
February represents the natural time when new ideas gain energy, to become actions.
The first few weeks of January can be difficult. After eating so much chocolate, possibly dealing with difficult relationships? dark days, cold and wet weather and maybe more alcohol than usual, we can feel sluggish and down in ourselves. Sometimes it feels impossible to gather up the necessary intent to establish amazing goals, socially set for new year. Maybe you’re still tired from 2023, especially if you suffered loss of any kind. We are still in Winter, and even though we are working hard and work doesn’t stop (modern day living) it’s good to remember that this time of year is naturally designed for us to rest when possible and build energy for the upcoming year.