News

Resources to Help Men Reduce their Risk of Cancer

{jcomments off}Cancer Research UK produces free leaflets targeted specifically at men.  The two leaflets - ‘Reducing the Risk of Cancer: What men can do’ and ‘Spotting the Signs of Cancer in Men’ - can be ordered for free on Cancer Research UK's website. 

There are also leaflets available to help men spot the different types of cancer that may affect them, such as prostate, testicular, bowel and lung cancer.  To order copies of any of these publications, visit: http://publications.cancerresearchuk.org/publicationformat/formatleaflet  

If you need help making your order, please contact Katie Scott, Belfast Research Engagement Manager, at Tel: 02890 972715  /  Mobile: 07795 290122  /  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  You can also contact Katie to find out more about  Cancer Research UK in Northern Ireland.

Updated 'Dying 15 Years Younger' Report

{jcomments off}If you found it beneficial to read the original report on the research study titled “Dying Fifteen Years Early - What can Traveller Men and Relevant Agencies do?”, you might like to know that a new - extended version - is also now available online.  However, please note that this is a very large report (358 pages), in Portable Document Format (PDF), and takes quite a while to download (5.91MB).  Copies can be accessed at: www.mhfi.org/dying15years.pdf

Movember 2012 is Here!

{jcomments off}During the month of November each year, 'Movember' is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Ireland and around the world.  The aim of this month is to raise vital funds for, and awareness of, men’s health - specifically, prostate cancer.  Check out http://ie.movember.com for more information.

International Men’s Day 2012

{jcomments off}Did you know that it will be International Men’s Day on Monday 19th November 2012?  The theme for this year is ‘Helping Men and Boys Live Longer, Happier, Healthier Lives’, and supporters of the Day are asked to focus on five key challenges: improving men’s life expectancy; supporting men to seek help when they need it; improving boys’ educational achievement; tackling tolerance of violence against men and boys; promoting fathers and male role models.  To find out more, visit the International Men’s Day website at: www.international-mens-day.com

Policy Briefing Paper on Fatherhood

{jcomments off}You are invited to the launch of ‘Understanding Fatherhood in the 21st Century’ - a Policy Briefing Paper which draws together local and international research on fatherhood.  This will take place on Monday 19th November 2012, in Farset International, 466 Springfield Road, Belfast, from 11.30am - 12.30pm.  The report was commissioned by the Man Matters project, and was written by Dr Maria Lohan and Colin Shaw from Queen's University Belfast.  This paper presents the challenges facing fathers, and highlights the obstacles to their full involvement in children's lives.  It makes a series of recommendations for public policy and practice - which are needed to support the changing role of fathers in the 21st Century.  The report will be introduced by Dr Lohan, and there will be feedback from Liam Hannaway (Vice Chairperson of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership).  There will also be a question-and-answer session.  Each attendee will be given a copy of the report - which will be made available on the Man Matter's website shortly after the event.  To attend the launch, book online at: www.wea-ni.com/seminar  or contact Michael Glover at Tel: 02890 329718 / Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

‘Be the Change’ Conference

{jcomments off}You are invited to a conference for businesses and non-profit organisations who wish to help to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in Irish communities.  At this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, view videos, take part in interactive breakout sessions, and gain useful tools to play your part in reducing stigma in your organisation and community.  The ‘Be the Change’ event will take place on Monday 26th November 2012, from 9.00am to 3.45pm, in the Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.  It is free to attend, but you must register for a place.  To register or find out more, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Suicide Prevention - What Works?

{jcomments off}Contact has confirmed that their second ‘Suicide Prevention - What Works?’ one day conference will be held on Thursday 22nd November 2012, in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.  It will last from 9.30am - 4.30pm.  Conference presenters include:  David Covington (National Chair of the NSPL Lifeline - lead U.S. strategy contributor on suicide risk assessment and prevention), Professor Annette Beautrais (World Health Organisation lead on international suicide prevention strategy results), Professor Mike Tomlinson (School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast, and author of ‘The Trouble with Suicide’), Trisha Forbes (Queen’s University Belfast, presenting on Contact’s Atlantic Philanthropies funded study on youth suicide prevention), and Dr John Devaney (QUB) / Dr Teresa Gerrity (NCB) presenting on early intervention aggression related trauma research.  Send all booking enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wise Men’s Health Clinic

{jcomments off}The Wise Men of the East Network (in East Belfast) will, once again, be running an evening Men’s Clinic at Holywood Arches Health Centre - with health promotion information every other week.  The clinics begin on Wednesday 7th November and run each week from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.  In the past 12 months, 190 men have made use of the evening clinic, and an ‘Exit Survey’ showed that this experience provided (for the majority of the men) a motivation to improve their health, as well as offering them a strategy for how to do this.  The clinic is led by District Nurses, and is aimed at men who have not had contact with their GP in the last 12 months.  The service offers men over 35 years of age a check-up for their weight, blood pressure, screening of their blood, cholesterol level, and an opportunity to discuss their general health.  The results of raised blood sugar levels, cholesterol, prostate problems, raised blood pressure etc. are forwarded to GPs, and the men are advised to follow this up.  As well as men being referred by their GP, they can also refer themselves to the clinic by leaving their details on the answer machine at Tel: 02890 563307.  They will then be contacted about an appointment.  For further information, contact Alan Houston, on Tel: 02890 451512 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.