{jcomments off}Finally, International Men's Health Week (MHW) is almost here.  This year, it will run from Monday 11th until Sunday 17th June 2012.  The theme in Ireland will focus upon encouraging and developing a ‘First Instinct’ in men and boys which is to actively seek help / advice / support, and to act quickly in times of difficulty / crisis / ill health rather than ignoring symptoms, turning to alcohol, ‘soldiering on’, taking their own life ...  However, as always, any event or activity which heightens awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages; supports men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyles; encourages the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males ...  will be very welcome. 

 Here's a quick round-up of some of the information and resources which are available to support this week, as well as ideas for simple and easy ways for you to be involved ...

• Everything you need to know about Men’s Health Week 2012 is now located in one place at: www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-2012.html
• If you want to access a briefing paper which answers all the most common questions about MHW, please visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw2012briefing.pdf
• For practical suggestions on how you or your organisation can get involved in MHW, have a look at: www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-2012.html#Mark
• The MHW 2012 posters are available in both hard copy and as electronic files - see www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-image-pack.html#Poster2012 for details of how to access each format.  There are several versions of the electronic files.  Some of these allow the user to type or write the details of their own local event onto the poster.
• A range of MHW 2012 logos and banners are also online at: www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-image-pack.html#Slogan2012
• The Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is, currently, collating details of events and activities that will be taking place throughout the island of Ireland to mark MHW 2012.  Please visit www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-2012.html#Events to find out how to publicise your event.
• A list of up-and-coming events is available at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2012events.pdf
• You can keep up-to-date with the latest MHW 2012 developments on both Facebook (www.facebook.com/MensHealthForumIreland) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).

{jcomments off}To launch Men’s Health Week 2012 in the Western area of Northern Ireland, you are invited to a men’s health workshop with Dr Ian Banks.  This event is being organised by the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Health Improvement Department in partnership with Men’s Action Network.  It will take place on Monday 11th June 2012, from 9.30am - Noon, in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.  This free event will highlight key facts and statistics on men’s health, explore ‘what works’ with men, and offer an opportunity to comment on men’s health issues in the Western area.  For more information, contact the Western Health Improvement Department at Tel: 02871 865127 / Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or visit: www.mhfi.org/2012whsct1.pdf   This workshop is one element of a full week of ‘Into the West’ activities being organised by the WHSCT.  See www.mhfi.org/mhw2012events.pdf for more details.

{jcomments off}All men are invited to attend a free Men’s Health Week event in Belfast City Hall which is being organised by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Men’s Health Network.  This will take place on Wednesday 13th June 2012, from 11.00am - 2.00pm, in the Great Hall within Belfast City Hall.  Highlights will include: an address by Dr Cormac Lynch; a ‘set’ by local comedian Tim McGarry; information stands, complementary therapies and health checks; a tour of Belfast City Hall.  To find out more, contact Bryan Irwin on Tel: 02890 351999  /  Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Cancer Focus NI invites you to the 2012 Man Alive Conference on Tuesday 12th June 2012.  This event is being organised in association with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Men’s Health Network, and will mark Men’s Health Week 2012 by: showcasing male health activity; sharing best practice locally and further afield; updating participants on the impact of sport and physical activity on health; raising awareness of a holistic approach to health and the impact of emotional wellbeing on physical health and healing; providing a networking and information exchange opportunity for individuals and organisations interested in men’s health.  This free conference will take place at the North-South Ministerial Council, 58 Upper English Street, Armagh.  For more information, contact Kirsty Thompson at Tel: 02890 680771  /  Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Men's Health Network invites you to a training session which will focus upon the ‘Challenges of Engaging with Young Men’.  This will be led by three experienced young men’s workers - Ken Harland (University of Ulster), Michael McKenna (YouthAction NI) and Jonny Ashe (YouthAction NI) - and will address some of the challenges which face practitioners.  This free training will take place on Friday 15th June 2012, from 9.30am - 1.00pm, in YouthAction Northern Ireland, 14 College Square North, Belfast  BT1 6AS.  To register, contact Denise at Tel: 02890 240551  /  Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Amen Support Services Ltd are organising a Men’s Health Fair on Tuesday 12th June 2012, from 6.00pm - 9.00pm, in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath.  This will offer: information for men on health, mental health, employment and other related topics, as well as free blood pressure checks (in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation).  The Keynote Speech will be delivered by Dr. Melissa Corbally, Lecturer in Nursing, Dublin City University, and a broad range of national and local health and well-being agencies will be present.  For more information, contact Kate at Tel: 046 9023718  /  Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}This month, ARK will release two reports on sexual health to inform Men’s Health Week 2012: ‘Messed up? - Sexual Lifestyles of 16 year olds in Northern Ireland’ (Research Update 80), by Dirk Schubotz, is based on data from the 2011 Young Life and Times (YLT) Survey, and looks at the attitudes and experiences of young people; while ‘Young Men and Sexual Health’ (Men in Northern Ireland Factsheet 8), by Paula Devine, uses a range of survey data to document the sexual health of young men.  These reports will be available on the Publications Section of the ARK website from Friday 8th June 2012.  Also available on the ARK site, is ‘Loneliness in Northern Ireland Adolescents’ (Research Update 79), by Siobhan Murphy and Mark Shevlin, which uses 2011 YLT data to explore loneliness and mental health among 16 year olds.

{jcomments off}Claremorris Family Resource Centre’s Men’s Group is organising a Men’s Health and Fitness Awareness Day on Friday 15th June 2012, from 11.00am - 7.00pm.  This will take place in The Square, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.  This event will include: fitness tests, cholesterol testing, BMI testing, cancer awareness mobile unit with nurse, chiropodist advice, health food stand, sports partnership stand, Connacht Gold stand, an information area ...  There is no entry fee, but donations are appreciated.  For more information, contact John Fallon at Tel: 087 2748425  /  Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.