Every year, an all-Ireland group comes together to plan Men's Health Week (MHW) on the island.  To remind you what MHW 2024 looked like, check out: https://www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2024.html

The Planning Group for MHW 2025 will be holding their first meeting via Zoom on Wednesday 18th December 2024.  Involvement in this partnership can take many forms - from participating in meetings (which, initially, will be held online via ‘Zoom’) to sending ideas via electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.  

If you'd like to be involved this year, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Did you know that Ireland was the first country in the world to develop and adopt a National Men's Health Policy?  Did you also know that they then followed this up with a National Men's Health Action Plan (called 'Healthy Ireland - Men')?  Well, that's not the end of the story ...

The Health Service Executive, working in partnership with the Men's Health Forum in Ireland, Men's Development Network and the National Centre for Men's Health in SETU, would like to invite you to a webinar to launch the Second National Men's Health Action Plan: Healthy Ireland - Men [HI-M] 2024-2028.  This event will take place on Monday 18th November 2024 at Noon, and speakers will include key leaders and stakeholders working to promote men's health in conjunction with the HSE and Department of Health.

Book a place at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZcS4C073Rz6giz7phUUYUw#/registration

The Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is seeking suitably qualified and experienced people to apply for their Men's Health Programme Coordinator post (for one year during 2025).

The MHFI Director of Operations will be taking an in-house sabbatical during 2025 to focus upon completing a number of long-standing infrastructural improvements to the Forum. To fill the gap that this will create, an experienced, focused, innovative and dedicated individual (with a strong record of multi-tasking) is being sought to fill the temporary position of Men’s Health Programme Coordinator - to oversee some of the core functions / roles that the Director would have had responsibility for.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who would like to take a career break from their current role or to progress in their career development.

Find out more by clicking on the links below ...

Job Application Pack

Application Form

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 21st November 2024.

 

Questions that have been asked about this postion ...

Q:  I know someone who might be interested, but they are a women.  Might that be a problem?  Is your preference for a male?

A:  No, not at all.  The Men's Health Forum in Ireland is simply keen to get the best person for the job.

 

 

Q:  MHFI's office is in Dublin.  Will the worker be based there?

A:  This is a home-based, remote working position.  However, it will require the post holder to be prepared to travel (on occasion) to anywhere on the island of Ireland.

 

 

 

Q:  What are the working hours?

A:  This is a full-time - 37 working hours per week - post.  For the most part, this is a daytime, Monday to Friday job.  However, a degree of flexibility is needed occasionally to respond to urgent demands outside of these days / times.

 

 

Q:  Will the job only last for one year?

A:  The position of Men’s Health Programme Coordinator is being offered for one year (i.e. 2025).  However, an extension may be possible if further funding can be secured during this period.

 

 

 

 

You are invited to join Professor Pat Hoddinott (University of Stirling), Professor Michelle McKinley (Queen's University Belfast) and Professor Frank Kee (Queen's University Belfast) for a free event to learn about the results of the 'Game of Stones' trial - which explored whether text messages plus financial incentives could support men with obesity who are trying to lose weight.  This event is open to anyone with an interest in men's health, obesity services and in moving research into practice.  It will be of particular interest to primary care and public health practitioners, healthcare commissioners, charities, researchers and others supporting men to lose weight.  This will take place on International Men's Day - Tuesday 19th November 2024 - from Noon until 2.00pm.  You can attend in person (at Queen's University Belfast) or online.  To register for a place, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There’s no denying that the state of men’s health on the island of Ireland is often poor.  However, there are things which can be done to change this situation and men, themselves, can play a key role in doing this.  ‘Action Man - ten top tips for men’s health’ is a free Man Manual which explains: (i) WHY an action is needed; (ii) WHAT can be done about it; and (iii) HOW to find support if you need it.  Check it out at: www.mhfi.org/ActionMan.pdf

To mark International Men’s Day (19th November) 2024, a new print run of this publication (supported by Healthy Ireland within Department of Health and MHFI) is being undertaken, and you are invited to request copies.  If you require large quantities (50+ copies), or you are based in Northern Ireland, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating:

- How many copies you would like.
- The name of the person to send them to.
- The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.
- A contact phone number (in case there is a problem with the delivery).

If you are based in the Republic of Ireland, and require 50 copies or less, these can be ordered via the HealthPromotion.ie website [register for an account, search for Action Man in the keyword box, and place your order].

Suicide and mental health difficulties are prevalent issues within the construction industry in the Republic of Ireland.  Would your building site like to host free General Awareness Training (GAT) workshops which focus upon reducing suicide and mental health stigma, increasing mental health understanding, and fostering help-seeking and help-offering behaviours among site workers? … The CAIRDE GAT workshop draws upon the latest statistics and evidence-based practices relevant to mental health promotion in the construction sector.  Participants will gain the tools and insights to better understand mental health for both for themselves and their peers.  Each workshop is free, lasts for approximately 90 minutes, and is delivered by trained GAT facilitators.  Expressions of interest are being sought from construction sites who are able to host 2-3 workshops (on the same day) in October / November / early December 2024.  Please note that, at the moment, the CAIRDE team can only offer a handful of these opportunities, and it is expected that the available slots will fill up very quickly.  If you are interested in finding out more, contact Jack Sweeney via Mobile: 083 8262487 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, Prof Siobhan O’Neill, recently launched a campaign titled ‘Take a Moment. Start a Conversation’.  This focuses on how simple conversations can interrupt cycles of distressing thoughts; encourages people to talk to anyone who they might be worried about; and recognises that although connecting with someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis can be difficult, starting the conversation can make a real difference.  There is evidence that small, everyday, caring conversations can interrupt overwhelming negative thoughts, and make a meaningful difference for people who feel suicidal.  See: https://www.mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/take-a-moment

Have you seen the British Fertility Society's short evidenced-based animations on male testicular health and fertility?  These target young men aged 14-24 years, and the four clips explore: the two essential jobs your testicles do for you; healthy balls healthy body; how you can tell if your testicles are healthy; the incredibly obvious thing you should do about painful testicles.  You can check them out at: https://www.britishfertilitysociety.org.uk/fei/videos