Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is a HSE programme aimed at preventing and managing chronic disease. MECC training teaches you skills that help you use everyday interactions to support people’s health and wellbeing.
MECC training
MECC training helps you build your communication skills and feel more confident having supportive conversations. It focuses on helping people make positive changes in health behaviours.
Training includes:
- an online eLearning programme
- an optional Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills (EYS) Workshop
The eLearning programme includes a core module on behaviour change. It has topic‑specific modules on key health and wellbeing areas, including:
- smoking
- alcohol and drug use
- physical activity
- healthy eating
- obesity
- mental health and wellbeing
After you finish the eLearning modules, you can take an optional Enhancing Your Skills workshop. These workshops give you the chance to:
- ask questions
- build your brief intervention skills
- learn about local supports
You can enrol for the MECC eLearning and the EYS workshop on HSeLanD.
MECC training in the undergraduate curriculum
MECC training is part of the National Undergraduate Curriculum for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. This curriculum was developed through a collaboration between the HSE and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). It is used across healthcare professional programmes and includes:
- MECC - gives students the knowledge and skills to support the prevention of chronic diseases
- Self‑Management Support (SMS) - helps students learn how to support people living with long‑term conditions
Research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin to find out how the curriculum is currently delivered across HEIs and clinical practice settings. Download the Executive Summary Report (PDF, 617 KB, 10 pages), which includes the key recommendations.