{jcomments off}A new Health Intelligence Briefing on Traveller Mental Health is now available.  This is part of a series of briefings being prepared by Health Intelligence in the Public Health Agency.  Many factors influence mental health and these are explored in this document; taking into consideration that these links can be bi-directional.  Before addressing prevalence, influencing factors, help-seeking, and treatment provision and uptake, a brief summary on Traveller culture is given - which provides the context for understanding the association between influencing factors, mental health and help-seeking.  Download a copy of this paper at: www.mhfi.org/travellermentalhealth.pdf

{jcomments off}Sexual health is everyone’s business.  The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI) is hosting events for National Sexual Health Awareness Week which draw attention to a broad range of issues.  These activities will take place in the RCPI premises at 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.  All events are free of charge, and open to both health professionals and members of the public.  For further information on what’s taking place, see www.mhfi.org/shaw2012.pdf   To book a place, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or  Tel: 01 863 9700.

{jcomments off}You are invited to the preview of the 2011 Young Life and Times (YLT) survey results.  This will take place on Tuesday 15th May 2012, from 12.30pm - 2.15pm, in Room OG074, Lanyon Building, Queen’s University Belfast.  The YLT survey is an annual initiative that records the views of 16 year olds living in Northern Ireland about the issues that directly concern them.  The main topics included in the 2011 survey were: community relations; attitudes to / experiences of contact with minority ethnic groups; mental health and loneliness; sexual attitudes and experiences.  Young Life and Times is a component of ARK (a joint project between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster), and the 2011 YLT dataset and key tables of results will be made publicly available at www.ark.ac.uk/ylt on 16th May 2012.  If you would like to book a free place, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 028 7167 5513.

{jcomments off}The North Belfast Primary Care Partnership invites you to an end-of-life public awareness raising event with comedian Tim McGarry.  This will take place on Wednesday 16th May 2012, from 10.30am - 12.30pm, in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.  Tim will facilitate a conversation on a range of end-of-life issues including making a will, financial support, emotional support, support for carers and bereavement support.  This event is part of National Dying Matters Week.  For more information, contact Justine Brown at Tel: 02890 752990.

{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