Believe it or not, it’s that time again.  Yes, it’s time to get the most important date of the year into your new 2023 diary …  International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This coming year, it will run from Monday 12th until Sunday 18th June 2023.

Every year, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for MHW.  This group held its first meeting for 2023 on Wednesday 7th December, and already a theme for the week is developing.  Would you be interested in being a part of this process, and joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape MHW 2023?  This can be done in many ways - from participating in meetings, to occasional electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.

If you would be interested in being part of the planning process for 2023 (in any way), send an email to MHFI by clicking This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

However, even if this is not possible, why not put the dates of MHW 2023 into your new diary, and start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week?  It’s never too early to start planning.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone in the Men's Health Forum in Ireland!  However, we also know that the holidays can often be a stressful and worrying time for many people.  Therefore, please remember that if you or anyone you know needs help and support over the Christmas period, you can always contact ...

-  The Samaritans (all Ireland) - Freephone 116 123
-  Pieta House (RoI) - Freephone 1800 247 247
-  Lifeline (NI) - Freephone 0808 808 8000

or visit: https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health  |  https://www.mindingyourhead.info

The focus of ‘Dry January’ is to support and encourage people to abstain from drinking alcohol for that whole month.  ‘Feel Good February’ seeks to encourage maintenance of some of the good habits or alternatives started in January.  Find out more about how to get support and join in the activities planned at: https://drugsandalcoholni.info/campaigns/djfgf

'Mind Your Nuck' is a new website that has been developed by Pavee Point and the Eastern Region Traveller Health Unit to support the mental health needs of young Travellers.  Check it out at: https://youngpavees.ie

To mark International Men's Day 2022, Bodywhys produced a podcast focusing upon men’s and boys' experiences of eating disorders.  This broadcast featured Keith Russell (a man who has faced eating disorders), Dr Jason Nagata (a researcher and expert in this field) and Jenny Langley (a mother who supported her son to overcome his eating disorders).  Listen in at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YQ7AG7g1YgszrZgkXzoJY

Have you ever read the YouthAction NI Impact Report on their 'Everyday Life: Young Men and Violence' initiative? ...  If not, have a look, and get inspired by hearing the voices of some of the young men who took part.  You can see it at: https://www.mhfi.org/EverydayLife.pdf

Improving knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms is important because people who can recognise signs / symptoms, and who seek early medical intervention, are generally more likely to have less advanced disease and better prospects for treatment.  In September 2022, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme published a report titled 'National Survey on Cancer Awareness and Attitudes'.  This research was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,874 adults aged 18 and over living in the Republic of Ireland.  The survey showed that the majority of adults are aware that tobacco smoking and unprotected sun exposure can cause cancer.  However, there are lower levels of awareness of the cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption, dietary factors, physical activity, body weight, breastfeeding, infection and medication.  Download a copy of the report at: https://tinyurl.com/bz8y74p2

The Irish Probable Suicide Deaths Study presents information on probable suicide deaths in Ireland, for a four year period, from 2015 to 2018.  The aims of the study were to: improve understanding of the characteristics of people who have died by probable suicide; identify risk factors for probable suicide; and inform the planning, implementation and evaluation of suicide prevention measures.  In Ireland, the current legal test for a Coroner’s verdict of suicide includes a requirement that the self-killing and intention are proved ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’.  However, this study also includes additional deaths that are ‘more likely than not’ to have been death by suicide - that is, on the ‘balance of probabilities’.  Thus, this study has captured, analysed and presented more deaths than are typically included in official suicide statistics in Ireland.  It also provides much more in-depth information on the characteristics of the people who have died.  As 76% of the probable suicide deaths were men, this report will be of interest to anyone who works in this field.  Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/mrze2544