{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.

{jcomments off}The Southern Area Action with Travellers (SAAT) Safe and Well Project, working in partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, is organising a seminar on the inequalities in Traveller men’s health.  This event will also see the launch of: ‘Dying 15 Years Early - what can Traveller men and relevant agencies do?’  The seminar will take place in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Co. Down on Wednesday 19th September 2012, from 9.30am to 1.00pm.  For more information, Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Parkrun organises weekly, 5km, timed runs around the world.  These runs are open to everyone, are free, and are easy to take part in.  The events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings, and people of all abilities are encouraged to join in - from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience.  Everyone is welcome.  There are, currently, six venues in Northern Ireland: Ecos Park (Ballymena, Co. Antrim), City Park (Craigavon, Co. Armagh), Queen’s (South Belfast), Falls (West Belfast), Waterworks (North Belfast), and Belfast Victoria (East Belfast).  These events are volunteer-led, and also encourage post-run social time amongst participants.  They are a great way to get men of all ages involved in taking some exercise.  For example, during Men’s Health Week 2012, local men responded to the call to join the Ecos parkrun on Saturday 16th June.  This saw the highest turnout of men to date: 57, of whom 12 were newcomers.  The organisers would like to thank the all-female volunteer team on the day, who made sure that the guys had no excuse not to run!

{jcomments off}Men Utd is an initiative aimed at supporting older men aged 55+, who live in the greater-Belfast area, and who may find themselves socially isolated.  It mixes opportunities to socialise, make new friends and get out of the house, with participation in health and well-being programmes and events.  The new Men Utd programme of events for the period September 2012 - June 2013 is now available.  This project also produces a quarterly newsletter called ‘Men 2 Men’ which features a wide range of information which is relevant to older men.  For more information, or to get a copy of the programme, contact Frank Johnston from Volunteer Now, Tel: 02890 818327, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Dublin AIDS Alliance has launched a new safer sex social media campaign called ‘Just Carry One’.  The campaign is specifically aimed at young people aged 17 to 25 years, and involves engaging with young adults through games, videos and competitions.  Hear more about it at: www.facebook.com/justcarryone   This initiative is funded by the Department of Health and the National Lottery fund in the Republic of Ireland, and is supported by SpunOut.ie

{jcomments off}The Parenting Forum (a project within Parenting NI) is looking for new members (parents and/or representatives from organisations) to join their Strategic Advisory Group.  Have you something to say about parents’ issues?  Would you like the opportunity to voice your opinion?  Would you like the opportunity to make a difference to how people view / think about parenting, and the issues that are important to parents? ...   Individuals who have a little time, a lot of interest, and a willingness to share their views to ensure that the voice of parents is heard, are needed.  The Parenting Forum would be particularly keen to hear from men.  Applications must be received by Friday 10th August 2012.  If you would like to apply for a position on the Strategic Advisory Group, or to find out more about it, visit:  www.parentingni.org/projects/parentingforum/sag.asp

{jcomments off}Is engaging men or delivering training part of your work or volunteering activity? ...  Then this training could be for you!  A Men’s Health Training programme has been developed to meet the growing demand from service providers for support to work with men.  This programme is founded on national and international best practice, and is setting the ‘Quality Mark’ in men’s health training in Ireland.  Qualified trainers are required to deliver this training throughout the whole island.  You are invited to become a ‘Men’s Health Trainer’ and to participate in the upcoming Trainers’ Programme.  This will take place on the 11th and 12th September and 16th and 17th October 2012 (overnight stay each time) in Teach Bhride, Tullow, Co Carlow.  The closing date for applications is Friday 20th July 2012.  For more information and a registration form, visit: www.mhfi.org/menshealthtraining2012.pdf

{jcomments off}For many of us, the million dollar question is: Do males really not want to be involved in health programmes and services, or are we just not offering them the right things in the right way?  Research into men's attitudes indicates that they do recognise that they have health needs; that their lives would be better if they looked after themselves more; that they would welcome an expanded range of dedicated services ...  Yet, the perennial difficulty comes when trying to translate this aspiration into action.  You are invited to attend a workshop titled: 'Men's Health: The Engagement Jigsaw’.  This event - led by Colin Fowler, Director of Operations, Men's Health Forum in Ireland - will focus upon some of the key principles and actions that practitioners in the men’s work field have said have had positive outcomes for them when trying to get men on board.  This free training will take place on Friday 7th September 2012, from 9.00am - 2.00pm, in Ballybot House, Newry.  For more details see: www.mhfi.org/jigsaw2012.pdf