{jcomments off}The School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work within Queen’s University Belfast is offering two full-time PhD studentships to strengthen the evidence-base of the Ageing Sector in Northern Ireland.  Funding is available for three years, and will cover university fees and pay a stipend.  These studentships will focus upon: (1) Age-Friendly Society and Communities - this will address whether society and communities in Northern Ireland are age-friendly, especially for older people, and the research will inform policy and practice in Northern Ireland.  (2) Older Women Living with Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Substance Misuse.  For further information, funding regulations, and how to apply, visit the School’s website at: www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofSociologySocialPolicySocialWork/NewsandEvents/Title,419253,en.html   The closing date for applications is Wednesday 20th November 2013.

{jcomments off}“Crossin' the Bridge” is a short film made by the Menaware men's group in South Armagh.  Menaware works to raise awareness of the many issues relating to men and boys - especially their health and wellbeing.  The group worked for several months to write, act and shoot this film.  With improvised performances, and celebrating the beauty of the South Armagh landscape, Crossin’ the Bridge raises awareness of mental distress and what help is available - through offering an imaginative insight into the lives of real people.  Check it out at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwf0yr7S6NY&list=PLgVm4iNN0oSOYmTtsGQgvGrWH9Wu9FOPB&index=1

{jcomments off}The latest version of Public Health Information System (PHIS 2013) data produced by the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland is available on The Health Well.  The tables include data up to 2011 for a number of health-related themes including cancer, mortality and hospital admissions.  PHIS data is an invaluable resource for the measurement of population health, for target-setting and evaluation, and for evidence-based service planning and policy formulation at both national and regional levels.  You can access the results at: www.thehealthwell.info/phis-tables

{jcomments off}Connect is a Freephone counselling and support service for adults who have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or neglect in childhood.  The service is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), is open Wednesday to Sunday from 6.00pm to 10.00pm, and is staffed by fully accredited psychotherapists and counsellors.  The service has noticed a large increase in new male callers to the service in the period between July and September 2013.  Generally, approximately 34% of callers to the service are men.  However, in this period, 46% of callers were men.  Often the men who call speak for the first time about difficult and traumatic experiences during childhood.  All callers remain anonymous, and the service is entirely confidential.  Visit: www.connectcounselling.ie  or Tel: 1800 477 477 (Republic of Ireland)  /  0800 477 477 77 (Northern Ireland).

{jcomments off}The Science for Prevention Academic Network (SPAN) has been awarded a grant to support the establishment of a network of prevention scientists and educators across Europe.  The Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway is a partner in this project.  At this early stage of the project, they are seeking to build a database of projects involved in both preventive and health promoting interventions.  For the purpose of this exercise, health is defined as either ill health (e.g. cardiovascular disease, cancer, communicable diseases, psychological distress or psychiatric diseases, metabolic disease, injuries etc.) or as its intermediary behavioural or psycho-social factors/determinants (e.g. smoking, alcohol misuse, unsafe sex, lack of physical activity etc.).  They are keen to hear from initiatives which are involved in either preventive or health promoting interventions, with a view to including them in this database.  Contact Colette Dempsey (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a proforma.

{jcomments off}Clergy, church youth workers, church lay leaders, lay pastoral workers and other church staff are invited to attend one of five Focus Groups which will be held throughout November and December 2013.  These events will focus upon the issue of suicide and mental health.  The organisers (Flourish!) are keen to hear feedback on a range of materials that have been developed to support churches in this field.  Flourish! is a partnership between the Churches’ Community Work Alliance NI, Lighthouse Ireland, and clergy from across the Christian churches in Northern Ireland.  The initiative has the support of the leaders of the four larger churches in Ireland, and has been developed in partnership with, and supported by, the Public Health Agency.  To register click here or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Pathways to Health training aims to ensure that community development workers and volunteers have increased understanding of factors impacting on individual and community health.  The course will review health it in its broadest context and discuss the effectiveness of community development approaches.  Participants will become familiar with the wider determinants of health, the social model of health, and the values and principles of community development.  The next Level 1 training will take place on Tuesday 12th November 2013 and Tuesday 19th November 2013, from 9.30am to 4.00pm, in Groundwork Northern Ireland, Belfast.  Visit: www.cdhn.org/pages/index.asp?title=Pathways_to_Health for information or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}We've all heard them... most of us have said them... but the 80+ organisations behind the See Change partnership have launched a new video tackling those old mental health clichés that are unhelpful when supporting someone who is going through a tough time.  Stigma breeds silence around mental health, stops people seeking help, and makes the experience of being unwell much harder.  See Change research found that one in two Irish people would rather suffer in silence.  Yet, it doesn't have to be this way.  You don’t need to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers.  Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know that you are there for them and simply listen.  See this video to help you start your conversation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUUwEv8q4LI&feature=youtu.be