The Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department of the Western Health and Social Care Trust is linking World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2019 and World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2019 to encourage people to talk about the ‘elephant in the room’ - in other words, the things that we often choose to ignore: our emotions and how we feel.  You are cordially invited to a half day launch event to showcase the ‘Elephant’ interactive campaign pack and a range of resources that you can use in your community, school or workplace to start the conversation.  There will be presentations from Conor McCafferty, Director of Zest and the North Star Health and Wellbeing Centre.  The launch will take place on Tuesday 10th September 2019, from 10.00am until 1.00pm, in the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.  Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.  Places are limited, so early booking is advised at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whsct-elephant-in-the-room-campaign-launch-tickets-66194179573

The Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) launched their #DeclarationofIndependence video campaign on Sunday 5th May 2019 as part of European Day on Independent Living.  The short film features twenty disabled activists from across the country talking about the need for disabled people to work together, and for issues disabled people face to be seen as equality and human rights issues.  Check out this powerful and inspirational clip at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=68CF8q8tuXM

Applications are invited for a workshop which focuses upon increasing understanding of men’s health issues and how to engage men with health and social services.  This full day 'Engage' training is being offered by the Western Health and Social Care Trust's Health Improvement Team, and will take place on the 26th of September 2019 in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.  It is suitable for any practitioner, of any gender, who works with men in any setting.  The workshop will explore: why we need to work with men as a specific group; understanding men through their eyes; gender bias and health; our own value base, experience and attitudes; barriers to men seeking help and support; opportunities to create the conditions for positive engagement.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 02871 865127.

Did you miss the Male Psychology Conference 2019 in London last June?  If so, you might be interested in catching-up with what went on by watching videos of some of the presentations at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2epsgcEhiF3LzXAkQlhFQ/videos

‘State of the World’s Fathers’ - produced by Promundo - is a biennial report and advocacy platform which aims to change power structures, policies, and social norms around care work and to advance gender equality.  The third State of the World’s Fathers report reveals new research on men’s caregiving from 11 countries, with additional cross-country analysis of data from over 30 countries.  You can download the report at: https://stateoftheworldsfathers.org/report/state-of-the-worlds-fathers-helping-men-step-up-to-care

Did you know that many men suffer from migraine?  Also, did you know that Migraine Awareness Week will take from 9th - 15th September 2019? ...  Find out all the latest news about what is happening / how to find help to cope with this condition at the Migraine Association of Ireland’s website: https://migraine.ie

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is preparing a new five year strategy.  As part of this process, the Cancer Prevention Team is keen to better understand your needs going forward.  This will allow them to tailor their strategy, and to ensure that health promotion, cancer prevention, early detection and support for cancer patients is a priority in the future.  You are invited to participate in a short stakeholder survey to share your views on what areas ICS should prioritise.  To take part, visit: https://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/p1875252977.aspx

Understanding the cultural context and history of health can help the global community to respond to present-day challenges.  This is the philosophy underpinning WHO-Europe's new 'Culture and Health 2019' series of webinars.  The webinars examine the historical and cultural contexts of global health issues, and feature interdisciplinary panels of academics and policy-makers.  All webinars are live-streamed, with remote audiences encouraged to watch online and ask questions.  These webinars aim to engage a broad audience of policy-makers, academics and the general public.  The next seminar is titled: 'Man Up: Masculinities and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviours' and will take place on the 3rd of September 2019.  For more details see: www.euro.who.int/en/data-and-evidence/cultural-contexts-of-health/webinars