{jcomments off}The Southern Health and Social Care Trust Men’s Health Network and the Man Matters Project invite you to participate in their ‘Framework for Men’s Health’ training.  This will take place on Tuesday 29th May 2012, from 9.30am - 4.30pm (lunch provided), in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan, Co. Armagh.  The aim of this workshop is to increase participants’ understanding of best practice in engaging men with health and social services.  Upon completion of the training, participants will have: explored the broad determinants of men’s health; examined how gender influences men’s approach to looking after their own health; identified effective practice guidelines in working with men on health programmes; gained an understanding of the barriers experienced by men when accessing services; increased their awareness of how to set-up and support effective group work with men.  The training will be delivered by members of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland.  To book a place on this free training, contact Michael Glover on Tel: 02890 329718 or book online at: www.wea-ni.com/seminar

{jcomments off}Abbeyfeale and District Initiative, in conjunction with Limerick Social Service Council, invites you to a free seminar which will focus upon 'Working Together to Help Prevent Suicide'.  This will take place in the Devon Inn Hotel (Templeglantine, West Limerick) on Monday 23rd April 2012.  It will begin at 7.30pm.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Based in Belfast city centre, Parenting NI Helpline Volunteers make a significant difference to the lives of families.  It is not only a rewarding way to help others but also brings other benefits such as gaining a qualification, learning valuable new skills, and meeting different people.  Parenting NI is working in partnership with the Man Matters Project to encourage more men to consider volunteering.  So, if you have substantial parenting experience and/or significant experience of working with families (and are ready for a new challenge), why not train to be a Parenting NI Helpline volunteer?  An information session will be held on Thursday 19th April 2012, from 11.00am to Noon, for those who wish to find out more about the volunteering experience.  The Preparation Training Course will then take place on Tuesdays 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th May and Monday 18th June 2012.  Each session will last from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  For further information, contact Andrea at Tel: 02890 310969, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or visit: www.parentingni.org/helpline

{jcomments off}Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA) has published a new pocket guide to HIV and STI testing clinics around Ireland.  ‘Get Tested’ is supported and funded by the Department of Health National Lottery Fund, and provides detailed information on the location of STI and GUM clinics around Ireland, including Northern Ireland.  The testing clinics listed in the guide are free of charge, and most of the clinics offer a full-range of testing services for STIs, including HIV and hepatitis.  A Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the guide can be viewed online at: www.dublinaidsalliance.ie/uploads/GET%20TESTED%20booklet%20-%202012.pdf

{jcomments off}Mental Health Ireland would like to draw your attention to their new Training and Education Prospectus for 2012.  This publication is now available online at: http://issuu.com/mental_health_ireland/docs/mhi_training_prospectus_2012_booklet   The booklet outlines learning opportunities in areas such as managing stress, building resilience, caring for carers, mental health and young people/older people, coping with unemployment, understanding mood disorders, substance misuse ...  However, this year Mental Health Ireland is also 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 Dublin 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.  The cost is €25 per person / €10 for the unwaged.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01 2841166.

{jcomments off}The Irish Men's Group (IMG) came about quite simply through men talking together in an open and honest way.  It sounds simple because it is just that - men opening up to each other in a safe environment with no judgment; helping each other through their own difficulties in their own lives.  It all began when Tom Kane and Andrew O’Loughlin (who had been friends for almost 20 years) decided to do a facilitation course.  Tom comes from a construction background and Andrew from a financial background.  During the course, real life situations that men and women found themselves in were discussed.  The groups were initially mixed and then, one day, they were divided into men and women only.  That’s when it all happened.  Out of nowhere, the men opened up to a level of personal detail that you could not find anywhere.  The setting was safe, the honesty was alarming, and the outcome was phenomenal.  Here was a group of men sharing for the first time in their lives how life really was for them: their problems, their fears and their world.  Tom and Andrew realised that men need a safe place to talk where they are not judged.  Very soon afterwards, in 2011, they set up IMG.  They ran a pilot group for a few months to see if what they had discovered really worked, and it did!  The group consisted of 10 men from all walks of life and professions.  Each week the men came together to talk, open up, share and get help from each other.  The focus was on various issues and problems that were getting them down and making them feel isolated and alone.  The result was powerful.  Interest is rapidly growing outside Dublin, and the goal is to open groups in all counties in Ireland - so that every man has access to IMG.  For more information, visit: www.irishmensgroup.ie or Tel: 01 687 7448 or 086 1928415.

{jcomments off}The Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) and Inspire Ireland have issued an Invitation to Tender document.  This seeks to engage a website designer / developer in the creation of an online 'Work Out' mental fitness programme aimed at young men.  This project will seek to replicate an online resource created by The Inspire Foundation Australia.  The content and operational aspects of this proposed website have already been determined, and the successful tendering body will be asked to deliver a finished product by late May 2012.  The closing date for submission of tender documents is Friday 30th March 2012.  Full details can be accessed at: www.mhfi.org/workouttender.pdf   

{jcomments off}The Marie Keating Foundation has launched their eighth annual ‘Get Men Talking’ campaign which will run throughout March 2012. The theme for this year is your health is your wealth, and aims to promote early detection as the first line of defence when it comes to some of the key male cancers - testicular, prostate and bowel cancer.  Throughout March, the Foundation will focus on the importance of being vigilant about men’s health issues, and reducing the risk of developing cancer through positive lifestyle choices.  Men are encouraged to visit an interactive website at www.getmentalking.ie  This has been developed to specifically focus upon men’s cancers, and to offer practical information and advice to males in Ireland.  Importantly, this site gives users the chance to 'Ask an Expert' about any concerns they may have - for free and in complete confidence.