Applications are now being invited for the Masters in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Health and Wellbeing course in South East Technological University.  This programme offers participants a unique opportunity to finely tune their facilitation and personal skills through practical experience, group process and advanced personal development.  It is an IUHPE accredited Health Promotion Course, and graduates will be recognised as ‘Accredited Health Promotion Practitioners’.  Find out more at: www.setu.ie/se92h

Are you a researcher, policy maker or practitioner working in the areas of mental health, self-harm or suicide prevention? ...  If so, you might like to register for an event which will showcase findings from some innovative research projects supported by the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention.  This will take place in Dublin, on Wednesday 26th April 2023, from 9.30am to 3.45pm.  Find out more at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/suicide-prevention-connecting-research-and-practice-tickets-569162709987

Most people living in Ireland have fair skin - the type which burns easily and tans poorly - so are at high risk of UV damage and skin cancer.  It is particularly important to protect skin during childhood and if you are an outdoor worker (who is likely to have more sun exposure than other groups).  The aim of the SunSmart campaign is to increase awareness of the steps you can take to protect your skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer.  Find out more at: https://www.hse.ie/sunsmart

Twenty-five years on from the Good Friday Agreement, what progress has been made to reduce Northern Ireland’s poverty rate? ...  This ARK event will focus on social and economic inequalities - exploring potential solutions with a panel of policy and research experts.  It will be held on Wednesday 26th April 2023, from 2.30pm - 4.00pm, in the Ulster University's Belfast Campus.  Register for a place at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poverty-in-northern-ireland-where-are-we-now-tickets-601372018897

Men account for three-quarters of all suicide deaths in many Western countries.  Whilst extensive research has examined risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviour in men, protective factors remain under-explored - particularly social support, resilience and coping behaviours.  Such factors are particularly important to examine in the context of COVID-19, when enforced isolation (among other negative lifestyle effects) created widespread risk for the development of suicidal ideation.  This mixed-methods study aimed to examine the associations of various protective factors with suicidal ideation in men.  Read about the findings at: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-04539-9

Existing literature indicates that unemployment leads to deteriorated mental and somatic health, poorer self-assessed health, and higher mortality.  However, it is not clear whether, and to what extent, the health consequences of unemployment differ between men and women.  This study, in Sweden, found that: hospital admission is somewhat more common among unemployed males than among unemployed females; receiving sick pay is much more common post-unemployment for men than for women; and excess mortality is higher among unemployed males than among unemployed females.  Read more about this research at: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-14899-8

The aim of this study was to examine trends in sperm count among men from all continents.  The data generated suggest that a world-wide decline is continuing at an accelerated pace, and that research on the causes of this decline - and actions to prevent further disruption of male reproductive health - are urgently needed.  Read about the findings at: https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/29/2/157/6824414

Are you interested in engaging more men in your service? ...  If so, you might want to check out the 'Engage - Connecting with Men' workshop which is happening on Thursday 30th March 2023 in Ardee, Co. Louth.  This fun and interactive event will run from 9.30am until 4.00pm, with lunch provided.  The aim of this workshop is to assist a broad range of practitioners and service providers to explore the world of males, and to develop practical strategies for effectively engaging with them around health and well being issues.  It focuses on the engagement process i.e. the why and how of building relationships with men.  Register for a place at: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/EngageTraining