Suicide and mental health difficulties are prevalent issues within the construction industry in the Republic of Ireland.  Would your building site like to host free General Awareness Training (GAT) workshops which focus upon reducing suicide and mental health stigma, increasing mental health understanding, and fostering help-seeking and help-offering behaviours among site workers? … The CAIRDE GAT workshop draws upon the latest statistics and evidence-based practices relevant to mental health promotion in the construction sector.  Participants will gain the tools and insights to better understand mental health for both for themselves and their peers.  Each workshop is free, lasts for approximately 90 minutes, and is delivered by trained GAT facilitators.  Expressions of interest are being sought from construction sites who are able to host 2-3 workshops (on the same day) in October / November / early December 2024.  Please note that, at the moment, the CAIRDE team can only offer a handful of these opportunities, and it is expected that the available slots will fill up very quickly.  If you are interested in finding out more, contact Jack Sweeney via Mobile: 083 8262487 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, Prof Siobhan O’Neill, recently launched a campaign titled ‘Take a Moment. Start a Conversation’.  This focuses on how simple conversations can interrupt cycles of distressing thoughts; encourages people to talk to anyone who they might be worried about; and recognises that although connecting with someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis can be difficult, starting the conversation can make a real difference.  There is evidence that small, everyday, caring conversations can interrupt overwhelming negative thoughts, and make a meaningful difference for people who feel suicidal.  See: https://www.mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/take-a-moment

Have you seen the British Fertility Society's short evidenced-based animations on male testicular health and fertility?  These target young men aged 14-24 years, and the four clips explore: the two essential jobs your testicles do for you; healthy balls healthy body; how you can tell if your testicles are healthy; the incredibly obvious thing you should do about painful testicles.  You can check them out at: https://www.britishfertilitysociety.org.uk/fei/videos

'Let’s Talk About Suicide' is a free online suicide prevention training programme that helps people to develop their skills to keep others safe.  It assists participants to: identify people who are at risk; confidently ask about the topic of suicide; and connect them with resources that can help them to stay safe.  The programme was developed by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), and is available to anyone over 18 years of age.  It uses a mix of guided online content, video and interactive questions.  Participants can pause and recommence the programme at their own convenience.  On average, the programme takes 60-90 minutes to complete, but participants can work at their own pace.  Find out how to access it at: https://traininghub.nosp.ie

The HSE Health and Wellbeing Annual Report for 2023 is now available.  This report outlines the key activities that HSE Health and Wellbeing delivered both nationally and locally last year, with insights shared from across their policy areas, partners and various work streams.  View and download a copy at: https://publuu.com/flip-book/647102/1465321

'How's the Form?' is a new podcast series from Age NI aimed at men aged 50+.  Hosted by Joe Lindsay, this podcast speaks to some of Northern Ireland's most high profile men about life in their later years.  Every episode also contains advice from a GP and a psychotherapist looking at how to keep your body and your mind fit beyond 50.  Catch-up on all the episodes at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZgroTgDNfICgFIz9Olqt5z8lR71ia0ea

Belfast Men’s Health Group invites you to join them on a men’s ‘Walk and Talk’ event to mark International Men’s Day on Tuesday 19th November 2024.  This will begin at 11.00am from the Forthspring Community Centre on the Springfield Road in Belfast, and will also include lunch, alternative therapies and a range of health activities.  Register for a place at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-mens-health-day-mens-walk-and-talk-event-tickets-1041887161547

Suicide among male construction workers is reported to be disproportionally high compared to the working age population.  However, there is minimal understanding globally of the prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicide attempt among this occupational group.  A journal article titled 'Prevalence and associated risk factors for suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempt among male construction workers in Ireland' attempts to shine some light on this area.  Download a copy of it at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-18483-0