This podcast by 'Meath Talks' explores the impact bereavement has on men and how societal messages about masculinity can sometimes hinder a man’s journey through the natural cycles of grief and loss.  It discusses some of things men can do to help them express their emotions in a healthy and safe way as they adapt to living with a loss.  The special guests on this podcast are Angela Farrelly (SICAP Projects Officer with Meath Partnership) and Finian Murray (HSE Senior Health Promotion Officer specialising in men’s health).  Listen in at: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ddusv-11ac7ae

Are you interested in a day out in late May - for a short walk in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands plus lunch / talk / banter (with some nice weather hopefully!) - and all paid for?  A group working and researching in TU Dublin is interested in finding out from men (over 65 years of age) about their attitude and approach to physical activity and how it impacts on their mental, physical and social wellbeing.  They are also keen to find out how COVID has impacted on men’s approach to physical activity.  Information will be collected through a survey, some informal interviews and focus groups.  However, it will all be recorded anonymously (you will be assigned a code).  If there is a group of you, the TU Dublin team can even transport you there as well.  Numbers are limited, so if you or a group of you are interested, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 01 2205789 by 6th April 2022.

Men’s Sheds attract a diverse cohort of men and, as such, have been identified as spaces with the potential to engage marginalised sub-populations with more structured health promotion.  ‘Sheds for Life’ is a 10-week men’s health initiative in Ireland.  When operating in an environment where budgets are limited, an economic evaluation is critical to determine cost-effectiveness and sustainability.  The findings from this study highlight that Sheds for Life is a cost-effective initiative that effectively engages with, and enhances the well-being of, Shed members.  Read all about it at: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2204/htm

Male staff working in the HSE’s CHO 8 area, who are overweight, are invited to apply for a place on a 12 week, online, men-only weight management programme.  This will begin on Wednesday 6th April 2022.  Find out more about it and register for a place at: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/12WeekStaffWeightManagementProgramme2022

See Change has identified the workplace as a key setting for social change around attitudes to mental health problems.  Mental Health Matters is a guide aimed at employers and employees who want to create a workplace culture where everyone feels comfortable having open and honest conversations about mental health.  Download a copy at: https://seechange.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mental-Health-Matters-web.pdf

The findings of the annual Healthy Ireland Survey by the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland are now available.  This survey gathers information on the health and health behaviours of people living in the Republic of Ireland.  The latest survey took place from October 2020 to March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Thus, these results give an important insight into pandemic health related behaviours.  See: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9ef45-the-healthy-ireland-survey-2021

Early data from several countries, regarding the gendered implications of COVID-19, suggest that men are more likely to die as an effect of infection.  This has been explained by biological factors, and also by behavioural and life-style issues characteristic of men.  What has not been widely discussed, however, is the relationships between men's responses to the crisis, their care activities, and certain models of masculinity that persist in many societies.  This journal article explores this issue: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13505068221076322

Alcohol Action Ireland and University College Cork School of Public Health have published a research paper that provides accurate analysis of the levels of alcohol related death and illnesses in Ireland.  This can be accessed at: https://alcoholireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/filebase/reports/21883_AAI_ICC_GBD_Policy_Paper_v4_online.pdf