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? ...

 

International Men's Health Week (MHW) begins on Monday 10th June and runs until Sunday 16th June 2019 (Father’s Day).  Each year, there is a specific theme.  During 2019, the theme for the island of Ireland is 'Men’s Health Matters' and everyone is being asked to make the time and take the time to do something realistic and practical to improve both their own health and the health of the men and boys that they have contact with.  However, not everybody knows about MHW, what it hopes to do, why it needs to happen, or how they can get involved.  That’s why there is a Men’s Health Week 2019 'Toolbox for Action'.  This Q&A style resource can be downloaded at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019toolbox.pdf

Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2019.  The focus for this year (i.e. ‘Men’s Health Matters’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, you don’t have to stick rigidly to this particular topic.  Anything which encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome.  There are many simple, easy and cost-free ways to get involved.  For ideas, download a copy of the paper on what you can do to mark MHW 2019 at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019celebrateit.pdf

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.  A free, 32 page, Man Manual (based upon the ‘Haynes Manual’ model) has been distributed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) to mark Men’s Health Week 2019.   This poses ten simple and practical health challenges to men and, to meet every challenge, it offers three choices.  All 15,000 hard copies of this manual have now been given out.  However, electronic copies can still be downloaded from the MHFI website at: www.mhfi.org/challenges2019.pdf  The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, the Health Promotion and Improvement Department within the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, and the author - Dr Ian Banks.

To keep everyone up-to-date with the latest news on Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2019 - 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.  That’s where your help is needed! ...  Please visit the pages, click on the ‘LIKE’ button for Facebook and ‘FOLLOW’ button for Twitter, and send the link to all your friends.  If you’re really into it, please Tweet about MHW 2019, and include the hashtag #MensHealthWeek in your message.  To make things easy, a pool of ready-made ‘Posts’ and ‘Tweets’ is available at: www.mhfi.org/Tweets2019.pdf

Every year there are hundreds (possibly even thousands) of events 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.  This year, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) has a section on this website to promote the details of any activities or events that are being held throughout Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2019.  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.  Your activity might be health checks, or a conference, or a launch, or a game, or a seminar, or a competition, or a workshop, or a lunch, or a course, or a drama, or a display, or a health fair ...  Whatever it is, if you would like to have the details included on this website, please complete and submit a MHW Event Form at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html  Other submission options are available at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2019.html#TellOthers