Last year, Parenting NI launched their Big Parenting Survey - a first of its kind study into the realities of parenting in Northern Ireland.  The 2018 survey had over 1,000 responses from parents; providing valuable insights about the struggles, hopes and successes of parents from every part of the community.  This year, Parenting NI are encouraging as many parents as possible to take part in a study which focuses upon the role and influence of technology on parenting.  This is available online at: https://bps2019.questionpro.com

You are invited to attend a talk on understanding parental alienation with guest speaker Donna Maria Logue from the La Dolce Vita Project.  This will take place on Tuesday 10th September 2019, at 6.30pm, in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal.  The event will explore: what parental alienation is; parental alienating behaviours; coping strategies; sharing lived experiences; the La Dolce Vita Project international conference on parental alienation in April 2020.  There will also be time for questions and answers.  A €10 attendance donation is requested, and this will be shared between La Dolce Vita Project and An Chéid Chéim Cross-Border Addiction Support.  Registration is by email only to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'A Gathering of Men' is a two-night, experiential retreat for men.  Participants will get the opportunity to change 'The Old Story' and step into who they really are - 'The New Story'.  It starts on 30th August 2019, at Townley Hall, Drogheda, Co. Louth: www.agatheringofmen.ie

You are invited to the 25th Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference which will be held on Wednesday 13th November 2019, from 9.00am - 5.00pm, in the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Castlereagh, Belfast.  This year’s event will bring together a wide range of experts who will present up-to-date research and models from throughout the UK and Ireland via keynote presentations and interactive workshops.  These will focus upon: sexual health in Northern Ireland 25 years on; GUM update for Northern Ireland; inequalities and addictions in sexual health; young people; and gender issues.  The delegate rate (including lunch) is £60.00.  For further details, Tel: 028 9504 7028 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research has found that people who present to Emergency Departments following an episode of self-harm sometimes do not receive the care they need.  It has also been found that some people leave the Emergency Department before being assessed by a clinician.  The voices of service users are key to understanding how responses and outcomes may be improved.  Researchers at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with 3Ts, are seeking to interview people (aged 18 and over) in the Republic of Ireland about their experiences of presenting to the Emergency Department following an episode of self-harm or suicidal behaviour.  For more information and/or to participate, contact Dr Louise Doyle at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel: 01 8963102.

Men over the age of 18 are invited to participate in a research study which is part of a dissertation for the MSc Counselling Studies and Therapeutic Communication course within Ulster University.  This study seeks to identify and highlight possible avenues which might encourage more men to seek help in times of difficulty.  It will explore participants' attitudes towards help-seeking, as well as their understanding of 'coaching' and their level of openness to it.  The online survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be done on most devices.  To participate, visit: https://communication.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/coaching-and-help-seeking-among-men

According to the most recent research conducted by the National Crime Council in Ireland in 2005 - which explored domestic abuse in Ireland - over 88,000 men in Ireland have been domestically abused by their partner at some point in their lives.  This research also highlighted that only 5% of male victims of domestic abuse report the abuse to the Gardai.  However, Irish men do not need to suffer alone.  The Men’s Development Network (MDN) offers national support and guidance to male victims of domestic abuse (along with concerned family and friends) through their Male Advice Line.  This Freephone service is open 36 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, by calling: 1800 816 588.  MDN also offers free counselling to those who have been affected by domestic abuse and those who are suffering from depression, anxiety and trauma.  The counselling service can be accessed by calling: 051 844 260.

#MensHealthMatters this #MensHealthWeek - so make the time and take the time to do something practical to improve your own health and the health of those around you.

In Ireland, the main image on the Men's Health Week (MHW) posters is a mosaic of many diverse faces of men and boys. This short video clip gives a sense of what these smaller 'building block' images look like, and highlights that MHW is about every man (and boy) on the island.

Are you in the big picture for 2019? ...