Men’s health is widely known to be problematic at the national and global levels.  Recent WHO data shows that, in 2016, global male life expectancy at birth was a little under 70 years.  Over 20 countries, mostly in Africa, had a male life expectancy below 60 years.  This paper by Global Action on Men's Health highlights some of the key statistics and issues, as well as the benefits of taking action: http://gamh.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hiding-in-Plain-Sight.GAMH-report.june2018.final_.pdf

This research explores the barriers and solutions to seeking professional help for mental health problems among young men living in the North West of Ireland.  A qualitative approach - using two focus groups with six participants each and five face-to-face interviews - was conducted with men aged 18 to 24 years (total N = 17).  Data were analysed using thematic analysis.  Seven key barriers to help seeking were identified: acceptance from peers; personal challenges; cultural and environmental influences; self-medicating with alcohol; perspectives around seeking professional help; fear of homophobic responses; and traditional masculine ideals.  Five key solutions to these barriers included: tailored mental health advertising; integrating mental health into formal education; education through semi-formal support services; accessible mental health care; and making new meaning.  Read the full journal article at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734535

Everyone involved in Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2018 would like to thank James Vincent from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland for the time and effort that he put into creating a short MHW animation this year.  This clip was viewed over 4,000 times within the first 48 hours of appearing on the MHW Twitter feed - as well as being seen on many other social media platforms.  If you haven’t had a look yet, check it out on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/iEra_ZtedFY

Nicole Cooke - a postgraduate student currently completing an MSc in Health Psychology in NUI Galway - is conducting research with parents on their intentions / decisions to introduce solid foods to their baby or to begin the process of weaning onto solid foods.  She is looking for both mothers and fathers to participate, but is finding it most difficult to engage with men.  The survey takes no longer than 20 minutes to complete, and eligible parents must be either a parent or guardian of a young child aged between two and four months old.  The survey can be completed at: https://tinyurl.com/infantfeedingsurvey

Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) in Northern Ireland is a collaboration between the Community Development and Health Network and the Health and Social Care Board - with strategic direction offered by a multi-agency Steering Group.  The programme aims to promote and support communities to work in partnership with local pharmacists to address health and social wellbeing needs using a community development approach by: increasing skills; encouraging community activity and self-help; expanding understanding of health issues; supporting local people to play a key role in promoting health.  Applications are now being invited for the Level 2 funding scheme.  For more details see: www.cdhn.org/level-2-application

The Foundation Programme in Sexual Health Promotion is a ten day comprehensive capacity building training course for service providers (in the Republic of Ireland) who want to develop their confidence, skills and knowledge in the area of sexual health promotion, and to incorporate sexual health promotion into their work.  The programme will be of interest to service providers from the health, education, community and youth sectors who have the potential and capacity to undertake Sexual Health Promotion within their organisation.  For more details on this HSE programme, see: www.mhfi.org/HSESexualHealthTraining.pdf

Not everybody knows about Men’s Health Week (MHW), what it hopes to do, why it needs to happen, or how they can get involved.  That’s why there is a MHW 2018 ‘Toolbox for Action’.  This useful resource can be downloaded at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2018toolbox.pdf

Even if you don’t do anything else to support Men’s Health Week (MHW) this year, you can at least put up a poster to let everyone know when it’s taking place!  The posters are free, and are available in both A3 and A4 size hard copy, as well as in a range of electronic formats.  You can find details of how to get copies of these posters at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html#Poster