{jcomments off}The economic recession, with its accompanying rise in unemployment rates, is linked to extremely adverse effects for men’s mental health - according to new research from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).  On Monday 13th June (the start of Men’s Health Week), the IPH launched a report titled “Facing the Challenge - The Impact of the Recession and Unemployment on Men’s Health in Ireland”.  This identifies a strong expectation of increased mental health problems for men given the very strong correlation between unemployment and male mental ill health.  The report is the result of a research and consultation process carried out in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by Nexus Research Cooperative on behalf of IPH.  93% of frontline organisations in contact with unemployed men linked health challenges to unemployment and recession, and all organisations surveyed noted adverse health challenges for the men they work with.  In addition to health challenges being higher for unemployed men, they were also very high for men who saw themselves as being threatened with unemployment.  Copies of the report are available as a PDF file at: www.mhfi.org/IPHreport2011.pdf

{jcomments off}Did you know that: Men are more likely to die from coronary heart disease than women?  Deaths from colorectal cancers are higher in men than women?  Male life expectancy is around five years less than that for women? ...  These are just a few of the issues facing men in Northern Ireland, contained in the British Medical Association’s (BMA) new policy: “Improving Men’s Health in Northern Ireland”.   This was launched on Friday 10th June 2011 to coincide with Men’s Health Week 2011, and calls for: men to take greater ownership of their health, a cross-departmental holistic policy to improve men’s health in Northern Ireland, and development of healthcare services that promote better health outcomes for men.  The document can be downloaded at: www.bma.org.uk/ni/healthcare_policy/menshealthnorthernireland.jsp

{jcomments off}Carers' Week falls during the same period as Men's Health Week (13th - 19th June).  To kick-off this week, ARK will be launching a set of reports based on survey data which reflect the roles and experiences of carers in Northern Ireland.  “An Ordinary Life? Caring in Northern Ireland Today” (Research Update 75) uses data from the 2010 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey.  “Young Carers Too” (Research Update 76) focuses on young carers, based on data from the 2010 Young Life and Times Survey.  “Men as Carers” (Men in Northern Ireland Report 7) uses data from a range of surveys and official statistics, and has been produced to support Men’s Health Week 2011.  These publications are available for free downloading as PDF files on the ARK website: www.ark.ac.uk/publications

{jcomments off}The Irish Cancer Society has launched a high profile awareness campaign to coincide with Men’s Health Week 2011 titled: “Prostate - There, I’ve said it”.  This campaign is designed to tackle the stigma and embarrassment that surrounds prostate cancer.  It is being fronted by Irish media personalities Bryan Dobson, Matt Cooper and Micheál O’Muircheartaigh.  Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in Ireland after skin cancer.  Over the course of their lifetime, men have a one in eight chance of developing prostate cancer.  According to the most recent statistics, 2,859 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, with 92% of the cases occurring in men over 55.  However, men need to be reassured that prostate cancer is increasingly a disease that men live with rather than die of.  The Irish Cancer Society is also conducting a survey targeted at men with prostate cancer.  This will be available until 29th June 2011 at: www.cancer.ie/prostate or by contacting the National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700.

{jcomments off}The “Fathers and Sons - Staying Connected” programme offers a package of training and support to anyone in Northern Ireland who wishes to engage with men (as fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles and carers for children) in order to look at the issues of relationships, communication, and promoting positive mental health among the boys that they care for.  This Train the Trainers programme will cover: facilitation and group work skills (for those who require them); how to use the specialist course manual; running course activities; best practice in recruiting for and delivering fathers’ courses; mentoring and support.  You are invited to attend one of two information seminars to find out more about the programme.  These will take place on Tuesday 21st June 2011 (10.30am - 12.30pm, in Derry), and on Tuesday 28th June 2011 (10.30am - 12.30pm, in Belfast).  To register your interest in attending either of these events, please contact Pauline Martin, Parenting Forum Northern Ireland, at Tel: 02890 310891 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Many men are interested in playing sports, but sometimes (if you're new to an area or just visiting / passing thorugh) it seems impossible to break-in to the existing set-up and to find a way to get involved.  FunnyOldGame.com is a new innovative Irish website with a simple aim - to bring sport to the people.  It offers a one-stop-shop for the management of 'player pools' in popular team sports such as 5-a-side football, volleyball, hockey and basketball.  It also manages invitations and acceptances, reduces player shortages, and ensures a player rotation policy that is fair to everyone.  Currently, FunnyOldGame has a user base approaching 500 men.  Whilst taking the pain out of organising events, the unique features such as ‘reliability rating’ or ‘peer rating’ can also encourage/motivate users to commit to and participate in sports.  FunnyOldGame.com is accessible through the web, iPhone and even through text messages.  Increased health and well being through sports participation is a welcome by-product, and it is a free service for the individual user.  Find out more at: www.funnyoldgame.com

{jcomments off}The European Men's Health Forum (EMHF) is running a pioneering web-based service which allows men to ask questions about any aspect of prostate health, and to receive answers from a highly qualified health professional within 48 hours.  This is all done anonymously and confidentially.  The questions which are asked will enable EMHF to gather information on European men's experience of prostate problems, seeking support, diagnosis and treatment, and the responses they have had from health service providers in regard to these issues.  This data will form the basis of a report to help health professionals and policy makers to deal with men's prostate-related healthcare.  Visit www.yourprostate.eu for more details.

{jcomments off}The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is, currently, undertaking research into the high rate of suicide among boys and young men on the island of Ireland.  The research is being jointly funded by the Public Health Agency and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.  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.  MHFI is asking for your help with this initiative.

A central component of this research is a questionnaire that seeks the views and experiences of stakeholders in relation to mental health promotion and suicide prevention activities on the island of Ireland.  The questionnaire is particularly focused on organisations' experiences of the challenges and barriers when working with young men.  The findings from the questionnaire will be used to inform the design of a follow-up intervention and will, on conclusion of the overall project, be disseminated back to stakeholders as part of an overall report.

We would be extremely grateful if you would participate in this project.  To complete the survey, please click on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Suicidepreventioninyoungmensini

Please be assured of absolute confidentiality and anonymity in completing the survey.  Although we are asking for the name of your organisation, findings from the survey will be collated without reference to any specific organisation.  We greatly value your input, and appreciate the time you take to complete the survey.  The survey will take 5 - 10 minutes to complete, and should be completed by 3rd June 2011.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the survey, or to find out more about the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, please feel free to contact Colin Fowler (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Tel: 0044 751 9945261).