Sri Lanka Health Round-up: September 2025
Sri Lanka Health Round-up: September 25, 2025
This week, we focus on mental health awareness and influenza planning.
This Week’s Top Update
This week marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a significant occasion aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues in Sri Lanka. The theme encourages changing the narrative around suicide, emphasizing the importance of support systems and community engagement to prevent such tragedies. Mental health remains a critical area of focus, and initiatives are being developed to foster understanding and compassion within communities [1].
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with Sri Lanka to assess the feasibility of estimating the burden of influenza in the country. This initiative aims to strengthen public health responses and improve preparedness for influenza outbreaks, which can significantly impact health systems and communities [2].
Surveillance Snapshot
- Continued efforts to address mental health issues are underway, especially in light of recent awareness campaigns.
- Influenza surveillance is being enhanced to better understand seasonal trends and potential outbreaks.
- Public health initiatives are focusing on improving breastfeeding support as part of maternal and child health strategies.
- Ongoing campaigns to promote blood donation and its importance in saving lives are being highlighted.
- Awareness around hypertension and its management continues to be a priority in health communications.
Practical Tip of the Week
As the weather changes, it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables. Incorporate local produce such as papaya, mangoes, and leafy greens into your meals to boost your immune system. Staying hydrated is also crucial, especially during warmer days, so ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Myth-buster
Myth: Mental health issues are not serious and can be ignored.
Fact: Mental health is as important as physical health. Ignoring mental health issues can lead to severe consequences, including increased risk of suicide. Seeking help and support is vital.
What to Watch Next Week
- Updates on the influenza burden assessment and its implications for public health.
- Continued discussions on mental health initiatives and community support systems.
සිංහල සාරාංශය (Sinhala Summary)
මෙම සතියේ, මානසික සෞඛ්යය පිළිබඳ අවධානයක් යොමු කරයි. මානසික සෞඛ්යය පිළිබඳ අවධානය වැඩි කිරීමට සහ සමාජ සහයෝගිතාවන් ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීමට කටයුතු කරයි.
தமிழ் சுருக்கம் (Tamil Summary)
இந்த வாரம், மனநலத்தைப் பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வுக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. மனநலத்தைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்கான சமூக ஆதரவை மேம்படுத்துவதற்கான முயற்சிகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்படுகின்றன.
Sources
- https://www.who.int/srilanka/news/detail/10-09-2025-world-suicide-prevention-day-2025–changing-the-narrative-on-suicide-in-sri-lanka
- https://www.who.int/srilanka/news/detail/29-08-2025-who-supports-sri-lanka-to-outline-the-plan-for-estimating-the-influenza-burden-of-disease-through-a-feasibility-assessment
Information here is for general awareness only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.