We’re now only weeks away from International Men's Health Week (MHW), which begins on Monday 14th June and runs until Sunday 20th June 2021 (Father’s Day).

2021 has already been an exceptional year in many ways.  The island of Ireland continues to wrestle with the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Individuals across the country are trying to re-build their lives, relationships, jobs, finances, physical health, emotional resilience, networks, routines etc.  Some people are still living with trauma and bereavement.  Others are having to re-focus their priorities.  Everyone's mental health has been impacted to some degree.

This is why the theme chosen for Men's Health Week 2021 is 'MAKING THE CONNECTIONS' and the call to action is:

1. CHECK IN with yourself to see how you are coping / feeling, and to identify any health worries that you might have.
2. CHECK UP on your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues to see how they’re doing and to offer support.
3. If you notice anything worrying or which needs medical attention, CHECK IT OUT and seek information / help / support / treatment as soon as possible.

As always, the overarching aims of MHW are to:

     -  Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
     -  Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities.
     -  Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

However, any and all activities / actions to mark this occasion are very welcome.

To find out more about the week, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2021.html

Not everybody knows about Men’s Health Week (MHW), what it hopes to do, why it needs to happen, or how they can get involved.  That’s why there is a MHW 2021 ‘Toolbox for Action’.  This Q&A style resource can be downloaded by clicking here.

To promote Men's Health Week (MHW) 2021, a bespoke poster has been designed.  The 'faces' of MHW this year are Paul, Dee, Clara and Cristian.  

Posters are available as both A3 and A4 hard copies, and as online electronic files (in a range of sizes and formats suitable for a variety of uses).  To order hard copies of the poster, use the online form, and tell us:

1. How many copies you would like.
2. Which size (or sizes) that you'd like.
3. The name of the person to send them to.
4. The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.

Copies of the online electronic resources can be downloaded from: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Poster2021

Even people who don't have time to do anything else for MHW 2021 are encouraged to put up a poster - in public view - to let everyone know when it is taking place.  Although this costs little to do, it will make a big difference to promoting the week!

Every year since 2014, there has been a Men's Health Week (MHW) postcard to publicise the week.  Traditionally, these cards can be displayed as small flyers in public spaces, and are often sent by organisations to the men that they have contact with.  This has proved to be a very successful means of letting local men know about the week.  Some groups have also used them as pledge cards i.e. men can write on the card how they are going to 'make the connections' and 'check in, check up and check it out' to improve their health.  Later on, they can keep this beside their desk, on their work bench, attached to their dashboard etc. to remind them of what they want and hope to do.    
 
This year, the postcards are available in both hard copy and as online electronic files.  To order hard copies of the postcard, use the online form, and tell us:

1. How many copies you would like.
2. The name of the person to send them to.
3. The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.

For electronic download, click here.

There’s no denying that the state of men’s health on the island of Ireland is often poor.  However, there are things which can be done to change this situation and men, themselves, can play a key role in doing this.  A free, 32 page, Man Manual is being distributed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) to mark Men’s Health Week 2021.  This poses ten simple and practical health challenges to men and, to meet every challenge, it offers three choices.

During Men’s Health Week 2021, this booklet will be available in hard copy (though, when they’re gone, they’re gone) and in electronic format.  To order hard copies, use the online form, and tell us:

1. How many copies you would like.
2. The name of the person to send them to.
3. The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.
4. A contact phone number (in case there is a problem with the delivery).

A copy of the online version can be downloaded by clicking here.

The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, the Health and Wellbeing Division within the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, and the author - Dr Ian Banks.

Every year there are hundreds (possibly even thousands) of events and activities throughout Ireland to celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW).  Some of these are well publicised, but most are only known about by a few people.  As in previous years, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) will promote the details of any activities or events that are being held throughout Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2021.  This will help everyone to find out what is happening during the week, where it will take place, and how to join in.  It will also give some recognition and publicity to all those groups across Ireland that are doing something for and with men.

The ongoing COVID-19 situation will mean that many traditional MHW face-to-face events (e.g. health checks, conferences, launches, games, seminars, competitions, workshops, lunches, training courses, performances, displays, health fairs ...) may not take place this year.  However, many groups across Ireland are still being very creative and innovative about how they can engage with / support men.

Whatever it is that your group has planned, MHFI would like to promote it online - so, get in touch.  There are two ways to let us know about what is happening during 2021: (i) submit the details using the online form; or (ii) download and save a copy of the MS Word Registration Form, type in the details, and email it back to us.

Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2021.  The focus for this year (i.e. ‘Making the Connections’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, you don’t have to stick rigidly to this particular topic.  Anything which encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome.

Of course, it would be great if you could organise an event or activity.  However, there are also many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support.  There is a common logo / image pack which can be used by everyone who wishes to raise awareness of MHW.  There is also a MHW 2021 poster and postcard.  These are important promotional tools - as one of the key aims is to let as many people as possible know about the week.  These are available to anyone who wishes to use them at www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html

Promotion of MHW could take the form of:

1. Putting a Men’s Health Week poster (or two or three) up in your workplace / local shop / waiting room / home ...  and/or sending the MHW postcard to people you know.
2. Promoting the week on your website - using a copy of the Men’s Health Week logo or badge or banner.
3. Linking to the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland’s web page devoted to Men’s Health Week 2021 (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2021.html) from your own website, Facebook page or other social networking site.
4. Sending an email to everyone on your mailing list to tell them about Men’s Health Week, and asking them to forward the message to all their contacts.  Why not also insert the MHW logo into your outgoing emails for the months of May and June?
5. Becoming a fan of the Men’s Health Week in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and sending this link to all your online friends.
6. Including information on Men’s Health Week 2021 in your mailouts / newsletters.
7. Telling others about what is happening in your area during Men’s Health Week by posting details on the MHFI website.  Use the form at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html
8. Making one of the Men’s Health Week 2021 graphics your computer desktop ‘wallpaper’ during May and June.
9. Reminding your colleagues to follow all the latest news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).
10. Posting / Tweeting about the week using the hashtags #MensHealthWeek and #CheckItOut in your message.
11. Using the MHW Facebook Cover Photo or Twitter Header Image on your social media pages and feeds ...

Doing one or more of these simple (and free) things would contribute hugely to MHW 2021!

Men’s health issues and needs are numerous and complicated.  So much so, that we could probably assign a different one to highlight on each day of the year and still have an outstanding pool of ones to explore!  However, when preparing for Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2021, the all-island Planning Group felt that it would be useful to draw attention to a specific theme on each day during the week, as well as on the Friday leading up to it.  These are:

      -  Friday 11th June 2021:  What you need to know about Men’s Health Week 2021
      -  Monday 14th June 2021:  Healthy relationships / staying connected / tackling loneliness
      -  Tuesday 15th June 2021:  Physical health / activity
      -  Wednesday 16th June 2021:  Mental fitness
      -  Thursday 17th June 2021:  Giving to others / volunteering / helping to make a difference
      -  Friday 18th June 2021:  The importance of prevention / early detection / healthy lifestyle
      -  Saturday 19th June 2021:  Pledge to action day
      -  Sunday 20th June 2021:  Fathers, fatherhood and males in caring roles

Social media has become a powerful tool for organisations to spread their message.  During Men’s Health Week 2021, everyone is encouraged to ‘Post’ and ‘Tweet’ about it and, when possible, to use the hashtags: #MensHealthWeek and #CheckItOut

Even loading a few things to websites / Facebook pages / Twitter feeds / Instagram / TikTok / other social media platforms will make a huge difference to publicising the week.  This is, therefore, a really easy and free way to show support for MHW.