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.  ‘Action Man - ten top tips for men’s health’ is a free Man Manual which has been revised and updated by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to mark Men’s Health Week 2024.

This booklet doesn't preach or lecture - it simply explains: (i) WHY an action is needed; (ii) WHAT can be done about it; and (iii) HOW to find support if you need it.  Thus, the ten top tips put you into the driving seat, and give you the tools and DIY instructions to make positive changes - if you choose to be your own ‘Action Man’.

During Men’s Health Week 2024, this booklet will be available in hard copy and in electronic format.  If you require large quantities (over 25), or you are based in Northern Ireland, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating:

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

If you are based in the Republic of Ireland, and require 25 copies or less, these can be ordered via the HealthPromotion.ie website [search for Action Man in the keyword box].

The online version can be downloaded at: https://mhfi.org/ActionMan.pdf

The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Ireland within the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency and the authors - Finian Murray and Colin Fowler.

 

Men's Health Week (MHW) 2024 is focusing upon three different types of numbers ...

1.  Statistics on the state of men's health that policy makers and service providers need to know if they are to pursue evidence-informed practice.
2.  Key numbers that men need to know, to take control over some elements of their own health.
3.  Critical contact numbers for help and support services that everyone needs to know at times of difficulty or crisis.

To get you started thinking about these important numbers, have a look at: www.mhfi.org/resources/key-facts.html

However, a new 'Men's Health in Numbers' resource has also been created for MHW 2024.  This 'z-card' is available in both electronic and hard copy.  See what it looks like by visiting: www.mhfi.org/MensHealthInNumbers.pdf

Free hard copies of the z-card can be ordered by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and stating ...

-  The number of copies required
-  The name of the person requesting them
-  The full postal address to send them to (including the Eircode or postcode)
-  A contact phone number - in case there is a delivery problem

 

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 the island of Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2024.  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.

These activities might include health checks, conferences, launches, games, seminars, competitions, workshops, courses, displays, health fairs, workplace mail-outs ...  Whatever the activity, everyone is encouraged to submit their details.

There are two ways to let us know about what is happening to mark the week: (i) submit the details using the online form (at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html); or (ii) download and save a copy of the MS Word Registration Form (www.mhfi.org/mhw2024project.docx), type in the details, and email it back to us.

Absolutely everyone can do something to promote Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2024.  There are 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 2024 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

Here’s some practical suggestions …

-  Put a Men’s Health Week poster (or two or three) up in your workplace / meeting space / community centre / local shop / waiting room / church hall / Men’s Shed / gym / library / pub / surgery / construction site / home ...

- Promote the week on your website / social media - using a copy of the Men’s Health Week logo or badge or banner or Twitter Header or Facebook Cover image.

-  Link to the web page devoted to Men’s Health Week 2024 (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2024.html) from your own website, Facebook page or other social networking site.

-  Send an email to everyone on your mailing list to tell them about Men’s Health Week, and ask them to forward the message to all their contacts.  Why not also insert the MHW logo, badge or banner into your outgoing emails during May and June?

-  Become a fan of the Men’s Health Week in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and send this link to all your online friends.

-  Include information on Men’s Health Week 2024 in your mailouts and newsletters.

-  Tell 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

-  Make the Men’s Health Week logo or badge your computer desktop ‘wallpaper’ during May and June.

-  Remind your colleagues to follow all the latest news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).  Also Tweet about the week yourself, and include #MensHealthWeek | #KnowYourNumbers | #MensHealthCounts in your message.

-  Encourage the men you know to get involved in some of the activities taking place during the week, and give them a copy of the free ‘Action Man’ booklet and/or 'Do You Know Your Numbers?' z-card.

Doing one or more of these simple (and free) things will contribute hugely to MHW 2024!

 

 

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) 2024, 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 announce the final countdown to MHW during the week before.

The focus of each day will be ...

-  Friday 7th June:  Know your numbers - because men's health counts
-  Monday 10th June:  Trash the ash (and save the cash)
-  Tuesday 11th June:  Prevention is better than cure
-  Wednesday 12th June:  Food for thought
-  Thursday 13th June:  Rethink what you drink
-  Friday 14th June:  Be mind fit
-  Saturday 15th June:  Let’s get physical - be more than a sports spectator
-  Sunday 16th June:  Father's Day - the important role of fathers in their children's lives

Social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok) offers a powerful tool for organisations to spread their message.  During Men’s Health Week 2024, everyone is encouraged to ‘Post’ and ‘Tweet’ about it and, when possible, to use the hashtags: #MensHealthWeek  |  #KnowYourNumbers  |  #MensHealthCounts

To support this, a range of social media graphics are also available.

For those people who would like to support MHW 2024 using their own social media channels - but who don't have the time, energy or knowledge to develop their own messages - a ready-made pool of Posts and Tweets that you can simply cut-and-paste from will be available online just before the week begins.  Keep an eye to www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2024.html#Tweet for more details closer to the week.

Even loading a few things to social media platforms makes a huge difference to publicising the week.  This is, therefore, an easy and free way to show support for MHW.

 

 

 

To keep everyone up-to-date with the latest news on Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2024 - as well as more general developments in the field of men’s work - check out Facebook (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).

However, as all social networkers know, pages such as these are no use unless they have a lot of Fans / Followers / Likes.  That’s where your help is needed! ...  Don’t forget to send the links to all your friends.  If you’re really into it, please Tweet about MHW 2024 yourself, and include one or more of the hashtags #MensHealthWeek  |  #KnowYourNumbers  |  #MensHealthCounts in your messages.

Tuesday 14th May 2024 marked the release of findings from the 2023 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey.  This event (with Professor Siobhan O’Neill and Dr Nicole Bond from the Office of the Mental Health Champion) focused on the experience of accessing mental health support in Northern Ireland.  See the video recording of this event at: https://www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/node/1032

Health Minister, Robin Swann, recently launched a new bereavement support website for Northern Ireland.  Bereaved NI can be accessed at https://bereaved.hscni.net  It provides a range of accessible resources for people who are experiencing bereavement, to ensure that they have the required information and support for each stage of their bereavement journey.  The website includes: information relating to palliative care, pregnancy and baby loss; resources for children and young people; information for people who have been bereaved by suicide and those who have suffered a sudden or traumatic loss; and practical support including financial and legal advice.