The ‘SSaMs’ (Sports Students as Mentors) Project is an exciting new initiative which aims to prevent early school leaving and to improve educational attainment among boys through the mentoring capabilities of sports students.  The National Centre for Men’s Health in the Institute of Technology Carlow is working alongside the University of Gloucestershire (UK), University of Thessaly (Greece), Palacký University (Czech Republic), University of Murcia (Spain) and CESIE (Italy) to develop gender-sensitive resources for use within Higher Education Institutes.  These will: (a) enhance the knowledge of undergraduate sports students with regard to working with young males; and (b) enable sport students to provide mentoring support in future vocational settings involving work with young males to motivate them to stay at school. To find out more, visit: www.sportsmentors.eu

This free programme is open to all men and offers: weekly health information talks; physical activity sessions; dedicated staff to support you with your goals; health checks.  It will run for ten weeks - every Thursday at 7.00pm, from 6th September - 8th November 2018.  It will be held in Brownlow Community Hub, Craigavon, Co. Armagh.  If you are interested in hearing more, contact Frances Haughey (Health Improvement Officer, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council) at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  | Tel: 07500 772905.

On Wednesday 13th June 2018, The Loneliness Taskforce launched a report recommending that Government take action on loneliness and social isolation in Ireland.  In this document, they highlight that loneliness is the public health crisis of this generation, and the report seeks to spark a nationwide conversation about this issue.  The report is titled 'A Connected Island - An Ireland Free From Loneliness', and it can be accessed online at: https://lonelinesstaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/loneliness-taskforce-a-connected-island-an-ireland-free-from-loneliness.pdf

Alcohol Action Ireland has published the results of their Alcohol Market Review and Price Survey 2018.  This reveals that alcohol is now so cheap that men in the Republic of Ireland can drink to the weekly low risk threshold for as little as €8.49, and highlights the urgent necessity to implement the Public Health Alcohol Bill - which includes Minimum Unit Pricing to ensure that the low cost of the strongest alcohol can be tackled.  Find out more at: http://alcoholireland.ie/alcohol-action-ireland-release-annual-alcohol-market-review-price-survey-2018

GSK’s IMPACT Awards reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health.  Organisations must: be at least three years old; work in a health-related field in the UK; have an income between £80,000 and £2.5 million.  Up to 20 awards will be made ranging from £3,000 to £40,000, plus free training valued at up to £6,000.  Organisations will also have a film made, receive help with press and publicity, and be given a set of promotional materials.  The closing date for applications is Thursday 20th September 2018.  To apply, or to view previous winners’ films, visit: www.kingsfund.org.uk/gskimpactawards

The purpose of this Guide is to outline to family members, carers and supporters of service users the care they can expect for their relatives or friends when they use HSE Mental Health services.  It also makes some suggestions as to how they can care for themselves when a relative or friend is unwell or feeling emotional distress.  Access a copy online at: www.healthpromotion.ie/hp-files/docs/HMT01164.pdf

Are you a man aged 18-30 years old?  Do you have mild to moderate mental health issues?  Are you interested in an opportunity to combine physical activity and personal development to help get your life back on track? …  If so, the Beacon of Light Counselling Centre is currently taking names for the next ‘Breakthrough’ programme which will commence in mid-September 2018.  Find out more at: www.beaconoflight.ie/break-through-programme

Nearly one million people in Ireland have high blood pressure - a major cause of heart attack or stroke - and last year almost 9,000 people died from cardiovascular disease.  However, high blood pressure usually comes with an even bigger problem - a lack of symptoms.  Raised blood pressure is one of the most common alcohol-related health problems, but many people don’t realise they have it.  You can look after your heart and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by drinking less alcohol and getting your blood pressure checked regularly.  Find out more at: http://askaboutalcohol.ie/health/effects-on-the-body/heart-health