{jcomments off}As life expectancy continues to increase in the United Kingdom, it is important to understand whether this increasing longevity is accompanied by longer periods in favourable health.  This Statistical Bulletin from the Office for National Statistics, highlights that: in the UK, males and females can expect to spend more than 80% of their lives in very good or good general health from birth - falling to around 57% at age 65; people in England can expect to spend the longest periods in very good or good general health and free from a limiting persistent illness or disability - with the shortest periods being for those in Scotland and Northern Ireland; the proportion of life spent in very good or good general health is increasing in England and Wales but, on the whole, falling in Scotland and Northern Ireland; males are spending a greater proportion of their lives in favourable health compared with females - however, in recent years this gap has narrowed, as the health of females has improved more rapidly than that of males.  This bulletin is available for free downloading at: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/disability-and-health-measurement/health-expectancies-at-birth-and-age-65-in-the-united-kingdom/2008-10/stb-he-2008-2010.html

{jcomments off}Family Mediation NI (FMNI) is a Northern Ireland-wide voluntary organisation which aims to provide an independent, non-judgemental third party mediation service to separating / divorcing couples.  The team of accredited and experienced family mediators work to assist couples with their issues, and help them to negotiate future arrangements for the family.  This process aims to ensure that the needs of the child and/or young person are placed at the centre of the parents’ decision-making, and that the emotional, physical and mental impact of the separation on the family is minimised.  FMNI is, currently, looking for new Trustees with varied life experiences and perspectives to take a place on the Board.  Applications from males are especially welcome.  Meetings take place in Belfast, and the time commitment is approximately two hours per month.  Induction, training, and support will be provided.  Although the Trustee role is unpaid, FMNI will reimburse reasonable expenses.  Contact FMNI on Tel: 028 9024 3265 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request an Expression of Interest form.

{jcomments off}The Newry Rainbow Community (NRC) - in partnership with Newry and Mourne District Council, the Confederation of Community Groups and others - is organising the first ‘Pride in Newry Festival’.  This will run from 22nd - 30th September 2012.  The main festival is focused upon Saturday 29th September, and will include street performers, arts and crafts workshops, busking, and family entertainment in Newry City Centre.  There will then be a festival parade through Newry’s main streets, followed by a free, open-air, ‘Party in the Park’ concert at McClelland Park.  This will be headlined by Brian Kennedy, supported by Barbara Bryceland, Shane Morgan, Ryan Jagger, and a line up of well known local groups and performers.  The festival will be a platform to showcase the diversity of communities and cultures in Newry City.  It will enable the NRC to increase its visibility, and to portray LGB&T people in a positive way - breaking down barriers and stereotypes, and promoting community cohesion and the integration and participation of LGB&T people in all aspects of the wider community and civic life of Newry.  If you would like to explore the potential for participation and involvement in the festival programme, or would like any further information, contact the Festival Secretary, Damian McKevitt, at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 07827 667562.

{jcomments off}You are invited to a Fertility Information Day on Saturday 20th October 2012, from 9.30am - 4.00pm, in the Castle Upton Suite, Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim.  This event will feature presentations and workshops on: new developments in research / treatment; fertility / embryology explained; nutrition / alternative therapies; emotions / stress.  There will also be a range of exhibition stands.  The cost is £5 - £10 for patients and £20 - £25 for professionals (Early Bird discounts apply).  To register, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call Sharon Davidson on Tel: 028 9082 5677.

{jcomments off}Mental Health Ireland is facilitating a one day interactive workshop on Men’s Mental Health.  This will be held on Tuesday 4th September 2012, from 10.00am - 4.00pm, in The Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin 22.  This event will explore: men’s mental health awareness; attitudes to mental health; the interaction between mental and physical health; setting a personal development programme; how men manage stress.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01 2841166.  To register for this event, visit: ww.mentalhealthireland.ie/training/training-and-education-modules.html?task=view_category&category_id=2

{jcomments off}See Change is an alliance of organisations who are working together through the National Stigma Reduction Partnership to bring about positive change in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with mental health difficulties in Ireland.  There are, currently, over fifty partner organisations who have committed to creating a community-driven social movement to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.  The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is proud to be one of these partners.  If you’d like to see change, then why not get involved?  Check out www.seechange.ie for ideas.

{jcomments off}More than 100 men from Co. Mayo are taking part in a physical activity programme called ‘Mayo Men on the Move’.  This is a Health Service Executive funded initiative which is being coordinated by the Mayo Sports Partnership.  The programme is also supported by Croí - the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation and Midwest Radio.  The programme is running in the Ballina, Westport and Claremorris areas, and all of the men recently came together to complete a 5k walk and fun run at Lough Lannagh, Castlebar.  Initially, information evenings were held in the three locations where men enrolled for the programme and received a free health check.  The programme targeted men over 35 years of age who were physically inactive.  Local leaders in the three towns support the project and front the twice weekly physical activity programmes at each location.  The programme is being formally evaluated; with the men’s health data being updated at Week 8, Week 16 and, again, towards the end of the programme.  It is hoped that this initiative can be further extended to other locations once the evaluation of the project has been completed.  For more information, contact the Mayo Sports Partnership at Tel: 094 9047025 or visit: www.mayosports.ie

{jcomments off}People who grew up during the worst years of The Troubles in Northern Ireland are more prone to suicide, according to research at Queen's University Belfast.  The study found that the highest suicide rate was among men aged 35-44 years.  Previously, younger men were believed to be most at risk.  The research, which examined death registration data over the past 40 years, found that the highest suicide rate was for men then aged 35-44 (41 per 100,000 by 2010), followed closely by the 25-34 and 45-54 age groups.  See: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18969202 for more details.