Speaking directly to men, the Samaritans sought to discover how to appeal to and engage men before they reach a crisis point.  Their new handbook, 'Engaging Men Earlier: A Guide to Service Design', provides a set of principles upon which wellbeing initiatives for men should be based.  Get a copy at: https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/middle-aged-men-suicide/engaging-men-earlier

Jenna Garity, a final year Psychology Student in University College Cork, is conducting a piece of research which examines older (60+ years) Irish men’s experience of looking for psychological help, including barriers and mediators.  She is, currently, looking for volunteers to interview.  Participants will be asked to take part in a one-to-one interview online with a member of the research team.  This will be audio-recorded, and is expected to take 15-20 minutes to complete.  Participation in this study is completely voluntary and, should you choose to do so, you can refuse to answer specific questions or decide to withdraw from the interview at any time.  Once the interview has concluded, you can still choose to withdraw your details in the subsequent two weeks.  To find out more, contact the researcher by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Global Action on Men's Health (GAMH) is a collaborative project that brings together men’s health organisations worldwide.  GAMH produces regular eBulletins for its members and others interested in its work.  If you would like to subscribe to the free eBulletin, or to see past copies, visit: http://gamh.org/ebulletin

This research is being conducted through Dublin City University’s School of Psychology.  They are, currently, recruiting participants, and males are especially needed!  Participation involves completing a twenty minute survey once per month for three months.  This study aims to capture the impact of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, and to identify useful coping skills and habits for managing wellbeing - as well as potential predictors for problematic mental health during a pandemic.  To find out more, see: http://bit.ly/Adj2COVID

Look Good Feel Better is offering a ‘Zoom’ workshop for men on Friday 26th February 2021, from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.  This will be hosted by men's grooming expert, Mark Sproston, aka ‘The Shave Doctor’.  This workshop will offer practical advice, as well as providing a safe place for men to connect with other men with a cancer diagnosis.  Special guest speaker, Jack Bell, from Derby County Football Club Community Trust, will deliver a short talk on: the role and the importance of physical activity; how physical activity can reduce the side effects of cancer and treatment; ideas for how you can increase exercise levels.  Jack works closely with Macmillan Cancer Support and is happy to take some questions after the session.  To book a place, or for more information, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 0754 5551531.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour provide evidence-based public health recommendations for children, adolescents, adults and older adults on the amount of physical activity (frequency, intensity and duration) required to offer significant health benefits and mitigate health risks.  For the first time, recommendations are provided on the associations between sedentary behaviour and health outcomes, as well as for sub-populations, and people living with chronic conditions or disability.  Download the guidelines at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/336656

Belfast Men’s Health Group has recently recorded a podcast with Malachi Cush.  Malachi is a singer-songwriter from County Tyrone - who many will remember as a performer on the first ever series of BBC's ‘Fame Academy’.  In this podcast, he talks about the community he grew up in, his background, his career, and his plans for the future.  He also talks about mental health and wellbeing in the world of musicians during the current COVID-19 situation.  Listen in at: https://belfastmenshealthgroup.podbean.com

As part of the cross-border 'Innovation Recovery' education for mental health programme, you are invited to join an online men's health session on Thursday 18th February 2021, from 11.00am to Noon.  If you're interested, Tel: 028 7186 5149 (NI)  |  087 409 8630 (RoI) or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (NI)  |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RoI).