{jcomments off}Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2013.  The focus for this year (i.e. ‘Action Men - Turning Words into Actions’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, you don’t have to stick rigidly to this particular topic.  Anything which encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome.  You might have time, energy and resources to plan something big.  However, even if you can’t, there are still simple and easy ways to get involved.  These include ...

• Putting a MHW poster (or two) up in your workplace / meeting space / community centre / local shop / bar / waiting room / home ...
• Promoting the week on your website - using a copy of the MHW logo or web banner.
• Linking to the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland’s website page devoted to Men’s Health Week 2013 (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2013.html) from your own website, Facebook page or other social networking site.
• Sending an email to everyone in your contacts list to tell them about Men’s Health Week, and asking them to forward the message to all their contacts.
• Becoming a fan of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthForumIreland) and sending this link to all your online friends.
• Inserting the MHW logo into your outgoing emails for the months of May and June.
• Including information on MHW in your mailouts / newsletters.
• Telling others about what is happening in your area during MHW by posting details on the MHFI website (use the form at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/submit-an-event.html).
• Making the MHW logo your computer desktop ‘wallpaper’ during May and June.
• Reminding your colleagues to follow all the latest MHW news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).
• Encouraging the men you know to get involved in some of the activities taking place during MHW 2013 ...

For more ideas, download a copy of our paper on what you can do to mark MHW 2013 at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2013celebrateit.pdf

{jcomments off}This year, the Cancer Focus ManAlive Conference will take place on Wednesday 5th June 2013, from 9.30am - 4.00pm, in the Adair Suite, Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.  This conference will focus on the male journey through the cancer experience, and will update healthcare workers and individuals with an interest in men’s health on cancer issues affecting men.  To register your interest, or for further information, contact Alison Brown at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 02890 663281.

{jcomments off}You are invited to attend men’s health events which are being run across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area.  These will take place in June to coincide with Men’s Health Week, are free, and will be strictly male only.  Each session will offer health advice and fun activities in a male friendly environment.  On every evening, there will be a talk by Conor McCafferty of Zest, followed by a hearty supper.   See www.mhfi.org/realhealthadvice.pdf for a list of dates, times and venues.  If you require any further information on the events in Coleraine, Ballymena or Ballymoney contact Amanda Pollock at Tel: 0774 0282650  /  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   For the Antrim event, contact Wendy Kerr at Tel: 02894 478645.  For the Magherafelt event, contact Denise Doherty at Tel: 02879 634865.

{jcomments off}ARK is holding a seminar to launch the results of the 2012 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.  In ‘Autism Awareness and Attitudes: A general population baseline’, Karola Dillenburger, Julie-Ann Jordan and Lynne McKerr (School of Education, Queen’s University Belfast) will focus on knowledge and public attitudes to the social, employment, educational and housing issues facing people with autism, as well as highlighting personal experiences.  The seminar will take place on Tuesday 4th June 2013, in the Canada Room, Queen’s University Belfast, at 11.30am.  It will be followed by a light lunch.  This event is free of charge, but places need to be booked by Tuesday 28th May 2013 via Tel: 028 7167 5513 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   The Life and Times Survey records public attitudes in Northern Ireland to key social issues.  The 2012 survey focused on autism, community relations, minority ethnic groups, migrant workers, asylum seekers and other equality issues.  Full results of the 2012 survey will be available at www.ark.ac.uk/nilt on 4th June 2013.

{jcomments off}To highlight the publication of ‘Men and Suicide: Why it’s a Social Issue’, the Samaritans invite you to attend a free public lecture titled: ‘Why Disadvantaged Men in Mid-Life are at Excessive Risk of Suicide’.  This will be led by Professor Rory O’Connor from the University of Stirling, and will take place on Thursday 30th May 2013, from 7.00pm - 8.00pm, in Room LG.115 of Queen’s University Belfast’s David Keir Building on Stranmillis Road.  To book a place, visit https://response.questback.com/britishpsychologicalsociety/menandsuicide

{jcomments off}Throughout the month of June 2013, Action Cancer will be offering a series of health check events to men throughout Northern Ireland.  These will take place in Enniskillen (4th June), Belfast (10th, 13th, 20th and 27th June), Derry / Londonderry (18th June), and Ballymena (25th June).  Each MOT Health Check will offer tests for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body composition, facial skin analysis and peak flow.  Lifestyle assessment and advice on cancer prevention and detection will also be provided.  For more information, contact Malachy Nixon at Tel: 02890 803344 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}To mark Men’s Health Week 2013, the Belfast Men’s Health Group (BMHG) and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust would like to invite you to a training session titled: ‘Top Tips for Looking after Yourself’.  Stress can affect anyone.  It doesn’t just make you feel bad - it can also be bad for your health.  The good news is there are steps you can take to deal with it.  This workshop outlines practical ways for you to start dealing with stress and to stop it building up in the future.  This free programme will be delivered on Friday 14th June 2013, from 10.00am - 1.00pm, in Clady Villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast.  If you are interested in attending, contact Paul O’Kane via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Please note that places are limited.

{jcomments off}Eating Disorders (EDs) and body image issues are, traditionally, thought of as something only women suffer from.  However, research shows that the number of men with disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia is growing rapidly in the UK and Ireland.  EDs are no longer just for girls.  Treatment and support is available across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  However, the stigma facing males suffering from these disorders creates massive barriers to men getting help.  A study is being carried out in the University of Ulster to look at the barriers facing men of all ages regarding disordered eating, over-exercising and body image issues.  This research aims to give a voice to men on these issues.  We want to talk to anyone working with men or with experience of these issues.  For more information, contact Una Foye at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 02890 366291.  For information on male EDs, visit www.mengetedstoo.co.uk  or contact EDANI on Tel: 02890 235959.