'Men on the Move' is a 12-week programme for inactive men in Ireland.  It uses physical activity as a ‘hook’ to engage men, with a view to improving their overall health and wellbeing.  An evaluation report on the project was published during Men's Health Week 2019.  This showed the positive impact of the project, and recommended that it should be further developed and extended across the Republic of Ireland.  View the report online at: www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/men-on-the-move-evaluation-report.pdf

From September 2019, the HPV vaccine will be made freely available to boys as well as girls in their first year of secondary school in the Republic of Ireland.  This is part of the HSE’s National Immunisation Programme, and is the first year that boys will be offered this jab.  Each year, around 400 people are diagnosed with a HPV-caused cancer in Ireland - and one in five of these diagnoses will occur in men.  Around 100 people die from HPV-related cancers in Ireland annually.  Therefore, high uptake of the vaccination programme is an essential step towards eliminating these cancers.  Parents are encouraged to find out more about the vaccination programme in order to reassure themselves of both the need for it and how safe it is.  A good place to start is at: www.hpv.ie

The Heath, Wellbeing and Inclusion Research Group within the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is hosting an event titled: ‘Suicide Prevention: We all have a part to play’.  This will take place on Monday 16th September 2019, from 10.30am - 12.30pm, in Room OG074, the Lanyon Building, QUB.  The speaker will be Dr Jerry Reed, who is an internationally recognised figure in the field of suicide prevention, and who has helped to inform and drive public policy changes in the USA.  This is a free, open access event, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Eating Disorders are not unique to one gender, nor are they solely a 'female issue'.  In 2017, The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, Bodywhys, recorded a 128% increase in men attending face-to-face support groups.  The organisation report that this is not surprising as extreme dieting and purging has increased amongst men in recent years.  For anyone struggling with an eating disorder, Bodywhys have a broad range of support and information available including a helpline, face-to-face support groups, online groups, email support, and access to key information on recovery and where to go to get help.  See www.bodywhys.ie

The Elevate Capacity Building Team within the Community Development and Health Network is delivering practical programmes in each Health and Social Care Trust area in Northern Ireland.  This is a free, interactive, activity-based, two-day training course which focuses upon community development as a way to reduce health inequalities.  The sessions will cover: the values and principles of community development; what health inequalities are, why they exist and how they look in your community; how to know you are making a difference in your community and how to share this learning with others; how to action plan and take ideas forward in your local community.  Anyone, from any sector, with an interest in community development and health inequalities is invited to apply for a place.  Participants must be available for both days of the training.  However, there are limited places on each training programme and booking is essential.  Find out more at: https://elevateni.org

Do you want to become a highly skilled facilitator and advance within your chosen profession or seek new employment opportunities? …  If so, the Master of Arts in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Wellbeing is an innovative practice orientated programme; the only one of its kind nationally.  It is designed to enhance personal growth and development, and to advance the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies required to effectively promote health and wellbeing with groups, individuals and key populations.  Experiential learning is central to the course, and this supports students to develop their skills through the medium of the group process, reflective practice, practical experience and research.  For more information, visit: www.wit.ie/wd591

Do you provide care to a family member or loved one? ...  If so, researchers on the CHERISH initiative at Maynooth University, who aim to promote a ‘Think Carer’ approach in health and social care services, would love to hear about your experiences.  Over 39% of family carers in Ireland are men and, therefore, the research team would like to encourage the participation of men in this important research.  Please consider taking the time to complete this anonymous and confidential survey, and share it with men who may be providing care.  It will take about 10-15 minutes to complete, and the responses will be used to inform the design of future services to carers in community healthcare settings.  You can take part by visiting: https://maynoothpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4Kc6cRdqhaxwUZ

The 2018 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey included a set of questions exploring public attitudes towards transgender people.  This is the first time that NILT has explored this area, and the results provide a useful baseline of public opinion.  Analysis of the data was undertaken by Gail Neil (Ulster University) and Siobhan McAlister (Queen's University), who published a Research Update titled:  'The Missing T: Baselining Attitudes Towards Transgender People in Northern Ireland'.  You can download this paper at: www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/sites/default/files/2019-06/update128.pdf