Latest news with #HealthAwarenessMonth
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
From Calories to Care: DYXnet's Dragon Boat Festival Charity Initiative Turns Exercise into Festive Rice Dumplings for Seniors
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, DYXnet, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VNET Group (NASDAQ: VNET) and a leading enterprise network service provider in Greater China, held a meaningful charity event on Thursday, May 22. In collaboration with the Christian Family Service Centre, the company donated festive rice dumplings to seniors at the affiliated center, embodying its commitment to community support. On the event day, DYXnet's volunteer team gathered at the Christian Family Service Centre's Lively Elderly Day Training Centre in Wong Tai Sin, where they distributed 100 rice dumplings to seniors. During the visit, volunteers engaged with the seniors by making handmade crafts and enjoying heartfelt conversations, creating a festive atmosphere filled with warmth and joy. All rice dumplings were produced by Home Café, a social enterprise operated by the Christian Family Service Centre that supports employment for people with disabilities and those in mental recovery, reinforcing the initiative's dedication to supporting vulnerable communities. This charitable rice dumpling donation initiative is a continuation of DYXnet's employee wellness program, reflecting the company's culture of prioritizing employee health and wellness. Recently, DYXnet organized a 'Health Awareness Month' for employees across various locations, promoting a diverse range of fitness activities to encourage a healthy lifestyle. In Hong Kong, the team held a 'Trampoline Day', where the calories burned during the event were converted into an equivalent amount of rice dumplings, transforming sweat into food donations and allowing every employee to contribute to societal welfare. The sports activities in other regions of DYXnet were equally engaging and innovative. In Beijing, events featured a 'Plank Challenge,' 'Running Day,' and 'Step Competition,' encouraging employees to develop regular exercise habits. The Shanghai team hosted a 'Skipping Rope Competition' to enhance teamwork and foster a positive workplace atmosphere. In Guangzhou and Shenzhen, unique outdoor activities such as the '22-Day Skipping Rope Challenge' and 'Aerobic Hiking' were introduced, along with a 'Light Snack and Fruit Day' to combine fitness with a healthy diet and promote interdepartmental collaboration. In Taiwan, a 'Relay Race' was organized to strengthen team cohesion and vitality. Over the past 25 years, DYXnet has not only committed to providing high-quality enterprise networks and ICT services but has also consistently embraced corporate responsibility toward community care, believing that corporate growth and societal progress are interlinked. Since 2016, DYXnet has been recognized as a 'Caring Company' for several consecutive years. DYXnet will continue to promote the well-being of its employees as well as social welfare, leveraging its expertise to give back to society and collaboratively create a better future. Hashtag: #DYXnet The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Cansa condemns vaping industry for targeting South African youth
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) called out the tobacco industry for deliberately marketing vaping products to teenagers and younger children to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31. On May 30, the organisation will walk with SA youth to draw attention to this alarming trend. This year's World No Tobacco Day theme is 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. It's about revealing how the tobacco and nicotine industries make their harmful products seem attractive, particularly to young people, through manipulative marketing, appealing flavours and deceptive product designs. ALSO READ: Give back on #GivingTuesday with Cansa's eShop Cansa, in collaboration with the South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum (SATFYF), will host youth-led walks in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg to bring attention to the big tobacco companies purposeful marketing of their products to youngsters. The walks will be from 09:00 to noon on the day, and young people are encouraged to participate. To do so, email mdlamini@ After the walking events, Cansa and the SATFYF will submit a memorandum of demands to parliament demonstrating support for the formulation of the Tobacco Control Bill. The organisations will urge the Portfolio Committee on Health to continue prioritising the nation's health and expedite the passage of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. ALSO READ: Cansa tackles prostate among men to mark Health Awareness Month They will also emphasise that delays will lead to increased recruitment of young people by the tobacco industry, resulting in higher rates of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer. Lesego Mateme, the project co-ordinator at the SATFYF, said, 'In Johannesburg, we will walk to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa to submit a memorandum to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco-related products. 'In particular, we want to highlight the harmful consequences of allowing the subliminal advertising and promotion of these products through broadcast channels. 'Such promotions often glamorise the use of vapes and hubbly bubblies, associating them with a luxurious lifestyle and success, which misleads the public, especially young people, about the risks involved.' Cansa warns young people and their parents, guardians and teachers that vaping is not a safe option. Minenhle Dlamini, Cansa's tobacco control programme co-ordinator and social worker, added, 'Despite claims that vaping is a 'harmless alternative' to smoking, there is ever-increasing evidence of serious health risks. These risks include nicotine addiction, lung damage and the increased likelihood of moving onto traditional tobacco products. 'A new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals is being created with seemingly innocent flavoured vapes and sleek, tech-inspired designs targeting young consumers.' ALSO READ: Cansa puts cervical cancer in the spotlight The problem in SA • A 2023 study found that 16.83% of the 25 149 SA high school learners (grades Eight to 12) from 52 schools surveyed used vaping products, while 36.71% reported having used vaping products. The odds of vaping increased by grade, but did not depend on how wealthy the school was; Of those learners who vaped, 47% did so within the first hour of waking, suggesting high nicotine addiction; • SA's current tobacco control policies do not effectively regulate vaping, allowing the industry to exploit legal loopholes; • Nicotine addiction among adolescents has been linked to cognitive impairment, increased anxiety and an increased risk of developing smoking-related diseases later in life; • Vape shops and online retailers often fail to verify age, making access easy for underage users. The SATFYF's 2023 Big Tobacco Tiny Target SA study revealed that tobacco products are purposefully sold, displayed and marketed to attract children. Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets is a global campaign that monitors the tobacco industry marketing that targets young people by observing the advertising of tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs) near primary and secondary schools. ALSO READ: Celebrate the annual Cuppa with Cansa The 2023 study observed 409 TNP points of sale within a 300m radius of primary and secondary schools in the cities of Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria and Stellenbosch. Almost half, or 45.2% of the points of sale, were spaza shops and small grocery stores. The findings revealed that most (92.2%) of the points of sale sold cigarettes, and 68.2% of them displayed these products at children's eye level. Cansa's proposed solutions • Stronger regulations: Cansa calls for fast-tracking the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to ban child-friendly flavours, impose strict advertising controls and enforce age verification for all tobacco-related product purchases; • Education and awareness: Schools, parents and community leaders must launch comprehensive anti-vaping campaigns to teach youngsters about the hidden dangers of vaping, including its impact on brain development; • Social media accountability: Implement stricter regulations on paid influencer promotions to prevent deceptive marketing tactics. • Holding tobacco companies accountable: Cansa supports higher taxation on vaping products to curb affordability and discourage youth uptake; • Access to cessation support: Government and health organisations must provide accessible nicotine addiction treatment and counselling services for young people who want to quit. Cansa offers a free online smoking cessation programme that provides guidance, mentorship and practical tools to help smokers quit for good. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Cansa takes stand against youth vaping
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) called out the tobacco industry for deliberately marketing vaping products to teenagers and younger children to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31. On May 30, the organisation will walk with SA youth to draw attention to this alarming trend. This year's World No Tobacco Day theme is 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. It's about revealing how the tobacco and nicotine industries make their harmful products seem attractive, particularly to young people, through manipulative marketing, appealing flavours and deceptive product designs. ALSO READ: Give back on #GivingTuesday with Cansa's eShop Cansa, in collaboration with the South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum (SATFYF), will host youth-led walks in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg to bring attention to the big tobacco companies purposeful marketing of their products to youngsters. The walks will be from 09:00 to noon on the day, and young people are encouraged to participate. To do so, email mdlamini@ After the walking events, Cansa and the SATFYF will submit a memorandum of demands to parliament demonstrating support for the formulation of the Tobacco Control Bill. The organisations will urge the Portfolio Committee on Health to continue prioritising the nation's health and expedite the passage of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. ALSO READ: Cansa tackles prostate among men to mark Health Awareness Month They will also emphasise that delays will lead to increased recruitment of young people by the tobacco industry, resulting in higher rates of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer. Lesego Mateme, the project co-ordinator at the SATFYF, said, 'In Johannesburg, we will walk to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa to submit a memorandum to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco-related products. 'In particular, we want to highlight the harmful consequences of allowing the subliminal advertising and promotion of these products through broadcast channels. 'Such promotions often glamorise the use of vapes and hubbly bubblies, associating them with a luxurious lifestyle and success, which misleads the public, especially young people, about the risks involved.' Cansa warns young people and their parents, guardians and teachers that vaping is not a safe option. Minenhle Dlamini, Cansa's tobacco control programme co-ordinator and social worker, added, 'Despite claims that vaping is a 'harmless alternative' to smoking, there is ever-increasing evidence of serious health risks. These risks include nicotine addiction, lung damage and the increased likelihood of moving onto traditional tobacco products. 'A new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals is being created with seemingly innocent flavoured vapes and sleek, tech-inspired designs targeting young consumers.' ALSO READ: Cansa puts cervical cancer in the spotlight The problem in SA • A 2023 study found that 16.83% of the 25 149 SA high school learners (grades Eight to 12) from 52 schools surveyed used vaping products, while 36.71% reported having used vaping products. The odds of vaping increased by grade, but did not depend on how wealthy the school was; Of those learners who vaped, 47% did so within the first hour of waking, suggesting high nicotine addiction; • SA's current tobacco control policies do not effectively regulate vaping, allowing the industry to exploit legal loopholes; • Nicotine addiction among adolescents has been linked to cognitive impairment, increased anxiety and an increased risk of developing smoking-related diseases later in life; • Vape shops and online retailers often fail to verify age, making access easy for underage users. The SATFYF's 2023 Big Tobacco Tiny Target SA study revealed that tobacco products are purposefully sold, displayed and marketed to attract children. Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets is a global campaign that monitors the tobacco industry marketing that targets young people by observing the advertising of tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs) near primary and secondary schools. ALSO READ: Celebrate the annual Cuppa with Cansa The 2023 study observed 409 TNP points of sale within a 300m radius of primary and secondary schools in the cities of Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria and Stellenbosch. Almost half, or 45.2% of the points of sale, were spaza shops and small grocery stores. The findings revealed that most (92.2%) of the points of sale sold cigarettes, and 68.2% of them displayed these products at children's eye level. Cansa's proposed solutions • Stronger regulations: Cansa calls for fast-tracking the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to ban child-friendly flavours, impose strict advertising controls and enforce age verification for all tobacco-related product purchases; • Education and awareness: Schools, parents and community leaders must launch comprehensive anti-vaping campaigns to teach youngsters about the hidden dangers of vaping, including its impact on brain development; • Social media accountability: Implement stricter regulations on paid influencer promotions to prevent deceptive marketing tactics. • Holding tobacco companies accountable: Cansa supports higher taxation on vaping products to curb affordability and discourage youth uptake; • Access to cessation support: Government and health organisations must provide accessible nicotine addiction treatment and counselling services for young people who want to quit. Cansa offers a free online smoking cessation programme that provides guidance, mentorship and practical tools to help smokers quit for good. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Cansa slams vaping industry for targeting SA youth
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) called out the tobacco industry for deliberately marketing vaping products to teenagers and younger children to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31. On May 30, the organisation will walk with SA youth to draw attention to this alarming trend. This year's World No Tobacco Day theme is 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. It's about revealing how the tobacco and nicotine industries make their harmful products seem attractive, particularly to young people, through manipulative marketing, appealing flavours and deceptive product designs. ALSO READ: Give back on #GivingTuesday with Cansa's eShop Cansa, in collaboration with the South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum (SATFYF), will host youth-led walks in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg to bring attention to the big tobacco companies purposeful marketing of their products to youngsters. The walks will be from 09:00 to noon on the day, and young people are encouraged to participate. To do so, email mdlamini@ After the walking events, Cansa and the SATFYF will submit a memorandum of demands to parliament demonstrating support for the formulation of the Tobacco Control Bill. The organisations will urge the Portfolio Committee on Health to continue prioritising the nation's health and expedite the passage of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. ALSO READ: Cansa tackles prostate among men to mark Health Awareness Month They will also emphasise that delays will lead to increased recruitment of young people by the tobacco industry, resulting in higher rates of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer. Lesego Mateme, the project co-ordinator at the SATFYF, said, 'In Johannesburg, we will walk to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa to submit a memorandum to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco-related products. 'In particular, we want to highlight the harmful consequences of allowing the subliminal advertising and promotion of these products through broadcast channels. 'Such promotions often glamorise the use of vapes and hubbly bubblies, associating them with a luxurious lifestyle and success, which misleads the public, especially young people, about the risks involved.' Cansa warns young people and their parents, guardians and teachers that vaping is not a safe option. Minenhle Dlamini, Cansa's tobacco control programme co-ordinator and social worker, added, 'Despite claims that vaping is a 'harmless alternative' to smoking, there is ever-increasing evidence of serious health risks. These risks include nicotine addiction, lung damage and the increased likelihood of moving onto traditional tobacco products. 'A new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals is being created with seemingly innocent flavoured vapes and sleek, tech-inspired designs targeting young consumers.' ALSO READ: Cansa puts cervical cancer in the spotlight The problem in SA • A 2023 study found that 16.83% of the 25 149 SA high school learners (grades Eight to 12) from 52 schools surveyed used vaping products, while 36.71% reported having used vaping products. The odds of vaping increased by grade, but did not depend on how wealthy the school was; Of those learners who vaped, 47% did so within the first hour of waking, suggesting high nicotine addiction; • SA's current tobacco control policies do not effectively regulate vaping, allowing the industry to exploit legal loopholes; • Nicotine addiction among adolescents has been linked to cognitive impairment, increased anxiety and an increased risk of developing smoking-related diseases later in life; • Vape shops and online retailers often fail to verify age, making access easy for underage users. The SATFYF's 2023 Big Tobacco Tiny Target SA study revealed that tobacco products are purposefully sold, displayed and marketed to attract children. Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets is a global campaign that monitors the tobacco industry marketing that targets young people by observing the advertising of tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs) near primary and secondary schools. ALSO READ: Celebrate the annual Cuppa with Cansa The 2023 study observed 409 TNP points of sale within a 300m radius of primary and secondary schools in the cities of Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria and Stellenbosch. Almost half, or 45.2% of the points of sale, were spaza shops and small grocery stores. The findings revealed that most (92.2%) of the points of sale sold cigarettes, and 68.2% of them displayed these products at children's eye level. Cansa's proposed solutions • Stronger regulations: Cansa calls for fast-tracking the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill to ban child-friendly flavours, impose strict advertising controls and enforce age verification for all tobacco-related product purchases; • Education and awareness: Schools, parents and community leaders must launch comprehensive anti-vaping campaigns to teach youngsters about the hidden dangers of vaping, including its impact on brain development; • Social media accountability: Implement stricter regulations on paid influencer promotions to prevent deceptive marketing tactics. • Holding tobacco companies accountable: Cansa supports higher taxation on vaping products to curb affordability and discourage youth uptake; • Access to cessation support: Government and health organisations must provide accessible nicotine addiction treatment and counselling services for young people who want to quit. Cansa offers a free online smoking cessation programme that provides guidance, mentorship and practical tools to help smokers quit for good. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'
ONE in three Brits have decided against seeking mental health support due to the stigma that still surrounds the issue. A study, of 1,000 adults, revealed 21 per cent believe those who seek therapy are Advertisement 1 Over half of survey respondents said they try to handle mental health issues on their own Credit: Getty Thirty-five per cent worry about being judged if they were to get As a result, 55 per cent prefer to handle problems on their own, with 36 per cent saying there is societal pressure to do so. And nearly three in 10 would be hesitant to tell their partner if they had seen a therapist. In fact, 60 per cent of those polled believe this persistent stigma discourages people from seeking the help they need when they're struggling. Advertisement Read more on mental health Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp, which commissioned the research and released its global Health Awareness Month, said: "Mental health stigma is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and misconceptions. "Many people fear judgement from their peers and family, believing seeking therapy is a sign of weakness. "As a result, people often feel uncomfortable sharing their struggles or seeking the support they need. "We exist to champion the well-being of everyone in the UK - and envisage a future where everyone can get the help they need, when they need it." Advertisement Most read in Health Despite all of this, it also emerged 85 per cent value mental health just as much as physical health, and 78 per cent believe support is vital to overall wellbeing. More than half - 56 per cent - admit to often feeling anxious, nervous or on edge, while 45 per cent say mental health struggles make it difficult to navigate daily life. Monty Don's secret to fighting depression Even among those who haven't accessed therapy, 14 per cent say they've avoided it due to fear of what family or friends might think. And over a third - 35 per cent - cite a lack of social support as a key barrier to seeking care. Advertisement Practical challenges are also getting in the way - with 49 per cent saying support is hard to find and 41 per cent finding it too expensive. One in five - 21 per cent - reported poor access to providers, while 19 per cent are unsure how to even begin the process. Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) Shout (for support of all mental health) Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, The study also revealed the stigma is especially stark for Gen Z - who, despite demonstrating the most signs of poor mental health, are still more likely than any other age group to view therapy as a sign of weakness. They are also almost twice as likely as Baby Boomers to experience mild to moderate anxiety (47 per cent vs 25 per cent), and more than four times as likely to suffer from severe Advertisement Only 39 per cent report feeling happy - compared to 54 per cent of Millennials and 61 per cent of Boomers - while nearly a third (31 per cent) show signs of moderate to severe depression. BetterHelp therapist Richard Whitenstall added: "Gen Z face pressure from social media to project a perfect life, which can lead to unrealistic expectations, fear of judgement and many hiding their struggles, which fosters stigma. "Growing up in environments where discussing mental health is taboo further reinforces this stigma, making it harder to seek help."
