These tables detail the number of suicides registered each year in Northern Ireland and provide additional information on age, sex, geographical area and time taken to register the death.  They have been produced as an addendum to the Annual Report of the Registrar General.  See: www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/suicide-statistics

In the autumn 2019, Global Action on Men's Health (GAMH) hosted a webinar for NGOs and men's health advocates to discuss how they can use the WHO Europe Men’s Health Strategy as an advocacy tool.  This took place on the 20th of September 2019.  The speakers included Isabel Yordi Aguirre (WHO Europe) who introduced the Men's Health Strategy, Alan White (Emeritus Professor of Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University UK), Dr Noel Richardson (National Centre for Men's Health, Ireland), Dr Svend Aage Madsen (President of the Men's Health Society in Denmark), and Nikki van der Gaag (Promundo).  An audio recording of the webinar is available at: https://youtu.be/BwXWsG4oras

Congratulations to Belfast Men's Health Group who raised £942.62 for the 'Friends of the Cancer Centre' after doing a Spinathon on International Men’s Day 2020.  This event provided an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity to cancer prevention in men.  It also supported the work of a great practical action group.

Psychology researchers from Trinity College Dublin are seeking to interview men who engage in compulsive use of internet pornography about the personal meaning they attach to such use.  This study will involve one-to-one interviews with individuals, and will look at how the phenomenon of compulsive pornography use has impacted the lives of those that take part.  They are looking for men over the age of 18 who experience psychological distress, a negative impact on their relationships, or interference in the ability to live life in the manner they wish as a result of their compulsive use of internet pornography.  Anyone interested in taking part can find out more details about the study and how to participate by emailing Michael McDonald (Psychologist in Clinical Training) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 089 4852578.

In May this year, See Change launched their 7th Annual 'Green Ribbon Campaign' to kick-start conversations that can help to end the stigma attached to mental health issues.  The report on this campaign can be downloaded from: https://seechange.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GR-Report-2019.pdf

This Governance Snapshot is part of a series that provides examples of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to strengthen health and wellbeing from across the World Health Organsation (WHO) European Region.  It describes the whole-of-government example of the ‘Heathy Ireland’ policy in Ireland.  This is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ireland over the coming generation.  The approach taken by Healthy Ireland draws on Health 2020, the European health policy framework, and on the health-in-all-policies concept.  Find out more at: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/412821/Ireland-Healthy-Ireland-wog.pdf?ua=1

The Public Health Agency (PHA) Training Framework for Mental Emotional Health and Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention (The Framework) is in line with the Protect Life 2 Strategy to reduce the suicide rate in Northern Ireland.  It has been developed to provide clarity on the varying steps and types of training available in Northern Ireland, and to support knowledge and skills development.  It provides a pathway through the varying steps of training, and has been developed to encourage consistency and appropriateness in skills and awareness development.  The PHA invite you to participate in a consultation on the Draft Training Framework - which was developed following extensive engagement and consultation events held in 2017 and 2018.  To participate: (i) download and read the draft Training Framework (http://pha.site/framework); (ii) answer the questions in the Survey Monkey questionnaire (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BW2CNMW); (iii) submit your responses by clicking on the box at the end of the survey.  The consultation will close on Thursday 12th December 2019.  If you have any queries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Zealand Rugby is encouraging fans to take a stand against silence as part of a new campaign to support the conversation around mental health and the stigma associated with getting help: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tme0bOEktnc&feature=youtu.be