If you don’t have space to put up a Men’s Health Week poster in your workplace, college, community centre, church, shop, pharmacy, Men’s Shed ...  why not leave some of the new postcards lying around or, better still, give / send some of them to the men you know?  The front of the postcard is a smaller version of the poster image, and the back has a pre-written message and a space for an address.  These postcards are available in hard copy, and details of how to order them can be found at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html#Postcard

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) is being distributed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to mark Men’s Health Week 2018.   This poses ten simple and practical health challenges to men and, to meet every challenge, it offers three choices.  All copies of this manual were snapped-up within a few weeks last year - and there are only 20,000 available this year - so, if you would like some copies to distribute to the men you know / work with, get in touch soon!  The content of the 2018 edition has been updated.  You can see what this year’s version looks like / find out how to order copies at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html#Challenges  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.

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) will have a section on its website to promote the details of any activities or events that are being held throughout Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2018.  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-2018.html#TellOthers

Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2018.  The focus for this year (i.e. ‘what’s your small step going to be?’) 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.  You might have time, energy and resources to plan something big.  However, even if you can’t, there are still simple and easy ways to get involved.  These could include, for example ...

1. Putting-up a poster and/or sending the postcards to people you know.
2. Advertising MHW on your own website.
3. Creating a link from your website to the MHW 2018 web page (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html).
4. Sending an email to everyone in your contacts list about Men’s Health Week and asking them to forward the message.
5. Inserting the MHW logo and/or badge and/or banner (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html) into your outgoing emails.
6. Becoming a fan of the Men’s Health Week in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and sending the link to all your friends.
7. Including information about MHW in your mailouts / newsletters.
8. Telling others about what is happening in your area during MHW by posting details on the MHW website (www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html).
9. Reminding your colleagues to follow all the latest MHW news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).
10. Tweeting about MHW 2018, and including #MensHealthWeek in your tweet.
11. Encouraging the men you know to get involved in some of the activities taking place around the country ...

Doing one or more of these simple (and cost-free) things will contribute hugely to MHW 2018!

For even more ideas, download a copy of the paper on what you can do to mark MHW 2018 at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2018celebrateit.pdf

To keep everyone up-to-date with the latest news on Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2018 - 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 2018, and include the hashtag #MensHealthWeek in your message.  To make things easy, a pool of ready-made ‘Posts’ and ‘Tweets’ will soon be available at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html

This event will focus on ‘nudging’ as a behaviour change concept to encourage positive behaviours in relation to health and wellbeing and promoting a healthy weight.  Presentations will explore the ‘nudge concept’ and include practical examples.  It will be of interest to a broad range of sectors, and will take place on Tuesday 12th June 2018, from 10.00am - 1.30pm, in Belfast.  For more details or to book a place, visit: www.safefood.eu/Professional/Events/All-island-Obesity-Action-Forum-Nudge-nudge.aspx

Is your head wrecked?  Are you stressed?  Do you want to learn to control your anger? …  If so, you might be interested in the Mojo South Dublin ‘Man Day’ being held on Friday 18th May 2018, from 9.30am to 4.00pm, in Clondalkin Tus Nua, New Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.  This free event will include information, exercise, food and relaxation.  Text your name to 087 2470464 to reserve a place.

Are you a person with a health condition who would like to slowly increase your activity levels?  Did you know that walking can help you to: lose weight; keep your joints, bones and muscles strong; reduce anxiety and depression; increase good cholesterol; control blood pressure and blood sugar …?  If you live near Lurgan (Co. Armagh) or Banbridge (Co. Down) there are three different types of organised walk to suit all abilities.  These are held on Wednesdays (meet at the Waves entrance to Lurgan Park) and Thursdays (meet at the Solitude Park Toilets in Banbridge) and begin at 10.00am for a 10 minute walk, 10.45am for a 20 minute walk, and 11.30am for a 30 minute walk.  To register your interest, contact Sean Collins by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.