Carers Week 2023 is fast approaching.  This year’s theme is ‘Recognising and Supporting Carers in the Community’.  Across the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, there are a lot of great events and activities scheduled for carers throughout the week (from 5th - 11th June 2023).  Check them out at: https://belfasttrust.pagetiger.com/ckjyrdq/1

The Zero Suicide Alliance's Northern Ireland Dashboard includes key data relating to suicide, prevalence of mental illness and risk factors for Northern Ireland.  It also gives a breakdown of some statistics by male and female.  To find out more, see: https://tinyurl.com/pcyxpwzt

The National Action Group for LGBTI+ Traveller and Roma Rights invite you to a Spoken Word Project about the experiences of LGBTIQ+ Travellers and Roma.  This will take place on Tuesday 20th June 2023, from 10.30am - 1.000pm, in Dublin.  Book a place at: https://tinyurl.com/4ryjhaan

Congratulations to Andy Barrett, from McKeevers Chemists in Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, on winning Team Member of the Year in the recent Pharmacy in Focus Awards 2023.  Andy, who trained as an ‘Engage’ facilitator a few years ago in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area, won his award for going far beyond his delivery driver job to contribute to the health and wellbeing of men in his community by spearheading a men’s health project within the pharmacy.  Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2n5v59hm

Men’s Rites of Passage have been around for millennia - in practically every tradition the earth has ever seen.  The transition from 'boy' to 'man' has occurred in many different guises, but the theme of dying to one stage of life to enter another remains unchanged.  In the modern world - with its busy schedules and sometimes isolating technology - this essential stage in a male’s life may not happen in a real or wholesome way (if, indeed, there is any rite at all).  Male Journey Ireland offers a five day process, wherein participants experience many facets of soul life and inner work.  The next RITEs in Ireland will take place from 26th to 30th July 2023.  Find out more at: https://malejourney.ie/rites/mrop-2019

The Specialist Certificate in Youth Mental Health Promotion is a Level 7 course, jointly developed by Jigsaw, the National Youth Council of Ireland and the University of Galway.  The course is for professionals working with young people in a range of sectors, who wish to develop greater knowledge, skills and competencies to promote youth mental health in their own work settings.  Visit https://jigsaw.ie/specialist-certificate-in-youth-mental-health-promotion for more information about the course, dates and mode of delivery.

To celebrate Men’s Health Week 2023, WHSCT Health Improvement Equality and Involvement, Men’s Health Forum In Ireland and Men’s Action Network are delighted to invite you to a free half day event focusing on men’s mental wellbeing.  This event will also showcase a range of projects that support men and boys across the Western Trust area, and is aimed at practitioners who work with men of all ages.

It will take place on Tuesday 13th June 2023 (starting with registration at 9.30am and finishing with lunch at 1.30pm) and will be held in the Magee Campus of Ulster University in Derry / Londonderry.

Find out more at: https://mhfi.org/MindFitness2023.pdf and book a place via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manifest-connecting-men-with-mind-fitness-launch-event-tickets-629948391597

In the lead-up to Men's Health Week 2023, Belfast Men's Health Group invites you to join artist Leah Davis on a photography walk - observing the cityscape of Belfast in a new light.  This will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023, from Noon - 2.00pm.  Learn photography skills on your mobile phone, alongside editing techniques (using free mobile phone apps) to further enhance your images.  Booking is essential, and can be done at: https://forms.office.com/e/J8GmcneusS