Children in Northern Ireland and Relate NI have been commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board to deliver a regional parenting helpline in Northern Ireland.  The helpline is called ‘Parentline NI’, and is for parents, carers and family members.  Parentline offers advice on specific parenting issues and more general support and guidance.  The helpline is open from 9.00am - 9.00pm from Monday to Thursday | 9.00am - 5.00pm on Friday | 9.00am -1.00pm on Saturday.  The service is available through a range of different channels including telephone, face-to-face and online.  Call free on 0808 8020 400; find out more or chat online at: www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline-ni; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; follow on Twitter (@childreninni) or Facebook.

A doctoral researcher at Dublin City University is looking for participants to take part in a study looking at the use of online mental health self-help programmes for support with a mental health problem.  The study is for people who: are aged over 18; are resident in Ireland; have / have had a mental health problem (a clinical diagnosis is not required); and have used apps / online programmes to help with their mental health.  Taking part involves completing an online survey (15-20 minutes) and an optional follow-up interview.  Participation is voluntary, and all information shared is confidential.  You can find more and take the survey at: https://omhshp-research-study.com or contact Manuela, the researcher conducting the study, by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HSE Health Promotion and Improvement is inviting applications for free places on a 'Connecting with Young Men' workshop being held on Wednesday 20th March 2019, from 9.30am - 4.00pm, in the Regional Education Centre, St. Brigid’s Complex, Ardee, Co. Louth.  The aim of this workshop is to assist a broad range of practitioners to effectively connect with young men on mental health and wellbeing issues.  It focuses on the engagement process (i.e. WHY and HOW to build relationships with young men), rather than offering a new mental health programme (i.e. what to offer them).  To book a place / get further details, contact Orla Brady at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Tel: 046 9076443.

Join Volunteer Now for an information day on health, hobbies and activities for men.  This will take place on Tuesday 5th March 2019, from 10.30am - 2.00pm, in Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast.  Refreshments will be provided.  To book a place, Tel: 02890 232020 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'Living Inside' is a new free exhibition at Kilmainham Gaol Museum which tells the stories of six people whose experiences speak to the history of Irish prison reform - from prisoners’ protests against unhealthy living conditions to the psychological strain faced by prison officers.  Health is central to the history of prisons; both as a focus for reform and as a weapon of protest.  Each story shows how reform, health, hope, and fear have shaped the prison system that we have today.  Living Inside is part of a Wellcome Trust funded project titled: ‘Prisoners, Medical Care and Entitlement to Health in England and Ireland, 1850-2000’.  A collaboration between University College Dublin and the University of Warwick, it explores the history of health and healthcare in prisons.  For more information, see: http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/exhibitions/

These five directories list the names, numbers and web addresses (where applicable) of organisations that offer services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing.  You can download the updated Directory of Services for 2019 within each Health and Social Care Trust area at: www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/directory-services-help-improve-mental-health-and-emotional-wellbeing

Empirical studies suggest gender inequity increases men’s health risks.  Multiple pathways may explain this relationship.  These pathways have not, however, been explored concurrently.  This paper is based on an extensive review of the theoretical literature linking gender inequity to men’s health: www.ijmsch.com/index.php/IJMSCH/article/view/5

On Wednesday 30th January 2019, political parties from across the spectrum in Northern Ireland united with mental health campaigners in the Long Gallery, Stormont, to call for an increase in the number of GP practices providing in-house counselling, and a decrease in the waiting times for counselling provision.  This event was sponsored by the All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention, and saw the launch of a new report titled: ‘Counselling a Vital Tool - Equipping GPs with Mental Health Expertise’.  Find out more at: www.pprproject.org/123gp-secures-cross-party-support-at-stormont-launch-event and see the NVTV coverage of this event at: www.nvtv.co.uk/shows/the-round-up-monday-4th-february-2019