{jcomments off}According to the World Health Organisation, up to one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.  With that in mind, the HSE - to mark World Mental Health Day (Monday 10th October 2011) - is highlighting the importance of seeking help when times are tough, and listening to people who need support, through its ‘Your Mental Health’ campaign.  People throughout Ireland are encouraged to visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie  This website helps visitors to learn about their own mental health and how to look after it.  It also provides a wide range of information on mental health topics, and shows how and when to access help and support services.  In addition to the website, the campaign includes TV, radio and online advertisements which raise awareness of the need to look after your mental health.  There are many events taking place around the country to mark this occasion.  Visit www.seechange.ie for more details.  

{jcomments off}The much-anticipated 'State of Men’s Health in Europe' Report (large PDF file) has been published by the European Commission.  This report highlights that the health of European men is a serious concern, and draws upon data from the 27 European Union countries plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  Dr Noel Richardson, Chairperson of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, was a member of the team (led by Professor Alan White of the Men’s Health Forum in England and Wales) which produced this document.  The report shows that every year twice as many men of working age (16-64 years) die compared to women; with 630,000 male and 300,000 female deaths across the EU27 countries in this age group.  Men’s Health Fora across Europe are, subsequently, calling for this group of men to be explicitly targeted.

{jcomments off}You are invited to the launch of a research report on suicide titled “Providing Meaningful Care: using the experiences of young suicidal men to inform mental health care services”.  This research was undertaken in both the Belfast and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust areas by a team which included researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster.  The overarching aim of this study was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of suicidal behaviour amongst men aged 16-34 years, in order to underpin the provision of accessible, acceptable, and appropriate mental health services for this age group.  The evidence from the research highlights the importance of implementing a package of measures.  These include Northern Ireland-wide, population-level public health measures, which are directed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with suicidal behaviour and help-seeking.  The Launch will take place at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, on Thursday 1st December 2011, from 9.30am - 11.50am.  Registrations are on a first-come-first-served basis, and the closing date is Friday 11th November 2011.  Contact Cara McClure at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book a place.

{jcomments off}Internationally, many societies are experiencing a cultural transformation in the role of fathers, and an increased expectation of men’s involvement in family life - from reproductive planning to equal parenting.  This momentum is being 'pushed’ by government policies which are based on the perceived economic, health and well-being benefits of fathers’ involvement in children’s lives.  In academic research, the application of Critical Studies of Men and Masculinities to the sociology of human reproduction also provides an impetus for the conceptualisation of reproduction in inter-relational terms - rather than as ‘women’s difficulty’.  The Second ISA Forum of Sociology (which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1st - 4th August 2012) is calling for papers which will critically explore men’s involvement within the reproduction / parenting arena.  Abstracts are invited for papers which might focus upon, for example: fertility / infertility; pregnancy and abortion; adoption; childbirth preparation; experiences of pre-natal ultrasounds; assisted reproductive technologies; miscarriage; gay men’s desire to have a child; HIV and reproduction; sperm donors; the politics of reproduction ...   Abstracts must be submitted via the ISA website (www.isa-sociology.org/buenos-aires-2012) by 15th December 2011.  For more information, contact Maria Lohan, Queen’s University Belfast, at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Increasingly, funders and social policy makers are looking for reliable evidence before they fund a project or implement policies or strategies.  As public sector funding cuts begin to bite - and the economic situation of the voluntary and community sector becomes more volatile - it is vital that organisations provide solid evidence of their effectiveness and value.  “Research on the Road” is a half-day event which includes both a ‘rough guide’ to research methods, and a ‘surgery’ where future or on-going projects can be discussed.  The seminars will take place in Omagh Community House (Wednesday 2nd November 2011) and in Ballybot House, Newry (Friday 4th November 2011), from 10.00am - 1.00pm on each day.  These free events are being facilitated by ARK and NICVA and are part of the ‘Festival of Social Science’.  Places are free, but must be booked in advance with Cathy Breslin in NICVA at Tel: 028 9087 7777 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Spaces will be limited to one person per organisation, and are for voluntary and community organisations only.    Further details can be found on the ARK Events page.

{jcomments off}A series of courses related to the scientific study of suicide (suicidology) is being offered during the next academic year in the Open Learning Programme of the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).  In most cultures, death by suicide is predominantly a male occurrence - particularly affecting both younger and older men.  A special invitation to participate is, therefore, extended to men, but everyone is welcome to register for these practical courses.  Each course offers participants the opportunity to reflect upon, and develop further insights into, human suicidal behaviour.  The next scheduled courses in suicidology are: “An Introduction to Suicidology” (20 session / 40 hour course during the Autumn 2011 and Winter 2012 semesters); “Suicidology - Further Studies” (10 session / 20 hour course, available in Autumn 2011 - for those with a good basic knowledge of the principles of suicidology); “Researching Suicide” (5 sessions / 10 hour course scheduled for Spring 2012).    The course tutor, Philip O’Keeffe, is an experienced counsellor, supervisor, tutor and researcher.  Further information and application forms are available on the QUB website at: www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEducation/OpenLearning  or Tel 02890 973323.

{jcomments off}The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is, currently, undertaking an action-research project into the high rate of suicide among boys and young men on the island of Ireland.  The purpose of the research is to develop and share best practice on how to promote positive models of mental health and to prevent suicide in this target group.  To date, an online questionnaire has been distributed and a literature review of effective practice has been undertaken.  This will be used to inform the design of two practical interventions in the near future.  However, MHFI would like to explore some issues in more depth before moving on to the next phase of development.  If you have an interest or experience in this area, you are invited to attend one of two Stakeholder Meetings.  These will be held on Wednesday 14th September 2011 (Belfast, 11.00am - 1.30pm) and Thursday 15th September 2011 (Dublin, 11.00am - 1.30pm).  For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Colin Fowler at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Men’s Policy Forum in NICVA is hosting an event in The Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on the morning of Tuesday 27th September 2011.  This free event (including lunch - sponsored by the Man Matters project) seeks to bring together a diverse range of organisations from across Northern Ireland, and will provide an opportunity to make contacts, build relationships, and share ideas and current practice.  Booking is essential.  To express your interest in attending, contact Patricia Stewart in NICVA at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.