Believe it or not, it’s that time again.  Yes, it’s time to get the most important date of the year into your new 2019 diary …  International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This coming year, it will run from Monday 10th until Sunday 16th June 2019.

Every year the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for MHW.  Would you be interested in joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape MHW 2019? …  This can be done in many ways - from participating in meetings to electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.

The first meeting of the Planning Group took place on Friday 9th November 2018, and the second gathering will happen on Tuesday 22nd January 2019, from 10.45am - 1.45pm (including lunch), in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  However, even if you cannot make the meetings, your ongoing feedback on developments via email / phone would still be very helpful.  If you would be interested in being part of the planning process for 2019 (in any way), email Colin Fowler at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Even if this is not possible, why not put the dates of MHW 2019 into your new diary, and start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week?  It’s never too early to start planning!

You are invited to apply for a free place on a 'Connecting with Young Men' workshop which is being held on Tuesday 12th February 2019, from 9.30am - 4.00pm, in Lisburn Library, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.  The aim of this event is to assist a broad range of practitioners to effectively connect with young men - especially around mental health and wellbeing issues.  The workshop will focus on the engagement process (i.e. WHY and HOW to build relationships with young men), rather than offering a new mental health programme.  This is because workers who have had success in engaging young men say that if you can get the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ right, anything is possible.  To apply for a place or for further information, contact Claire Kennedy at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In November 2018, the Health Service Executive launched a new mental health campaign specifically targeted at young people.  The ‘Mind Monster’ campaign was developed to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults of ways to look after their mental health.  Focussing on things that are known to cause stress and anxiety, the campaign highlights the benefits that getting enough sleep, taking regular study breaks, spending less time on devices, and sharing a problem with someone you trust can have on your mental health.  Find out more at: www2.hse.ie/healthy-you

This report aims to provide information and guidance to community nurses who want to work more effectively on men’s health.  At its core, is information about a range of men’s health and wellbeing projects that the Queen's Nursing Institute (UK) supported in 2017 - with funding from the Burdett Trust for Nursing.  The report also includes wider information on men’s health, as well as details of support and resources available.  Download a copy at: www.qni.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Mens-Health-Report-2018-1.pdf

Gender and sex have a considerable effect on an individual's experience of the workplace and their health.  While a lot of attention has been given to the effect, on women’s lives, of their increasing participation in the labour force, less attention has been paid to the changes that male workers have seen during the same period.  This report - by the Work Foundation in the UK - finds that: "evidence suggests that there may be a need to look at mental health and related support services through a 'male lens', incorporating the role of work as an important influence, and the workplace as a setting for providing support".  It also makes a series of recommendations aimed at employers, service providers and the government.  A copy of this report can be accessed at: www.theworkfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/mens_mental_health_work.pdf

AWARE NI is running three 'Living Life to the Full' programmes in January 2019.  The programme runs for six weeks, and can help participants to manage their feelings when they are stressed, worried or depressed by offering simple, practical skills to help them cope with life’s challenges.  These programmes will take place in Dungannon (starting 16th January), Newry (starting 17th January) and Craigavon (starting 18th January) - running from 10.30am to 12.30pm on each day.  For further information, see: www.aware-ni.org/wellbeing-programmes/living-life-to-the-full

What are the links between masculine norms and men’s health outcomes?  What implications do these links have for efforts to improve men’s health as part of broader efforts to create healthier, thriving societies? …  Promundo has just published an Executive Summary of its new report titled: 'Masculine Norms and Men's Health: Making the Connections'.  This document seeks to provide an overview of the current state of men's health globally, and to illustrate the direct connections between health-risk behaviours and hegemonic masculine norms.  You can download a copy of it at: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Masculine-Norms-Mens-Health-Executive-Summary-1.pdf

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men and affects up to one in forty people in Ireland.  It is a very painful form of arthritis.  Gout is a chronic long-term condition that, if not properly managed, can affect you for your whole life.  It is also linked to other medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some heart diseases.  Like these conditions, the correct treatment and lifestyle choices are key to preventing serious long-term effects.  Despite being stereotyped as affecting those who indulge in a lavish lifestyle, anyone can, in fact, get gout.  Your genetic and biological make-up can play a large part in whether you develop the condition.  Arthritis Ireland has produced a range of information and resources about living with gout, including a dedicated booklet and video series.  To find out more, visit: www.arthritisireland.ie/livingwithgout