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 11th until Sunday 17th June 2018.

Every year the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for Men’s Health Week (MHW).  Would you be interested in joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape MHW 2018?  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 in January, and the next one will be held on Tuesday 27th February 2018, 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 2018 (in any way), email Colin Fowler at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

However, even if this is not possible, why not start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week?

Whittlesea Men’s Shed in Australia has compiled a manual on shopping for and cooking healthy meals.  It is aimed at men who live alone or who are now required to assume the role of planning, shopping and cooking meals and find this difficult. This booklet seeks to encourage men to be confident about preparing healthy meals on a limited budget, rather than taking the easy option of buying expensive convenience food.  You can see a PDF of the booklet on the Australian Men's Shed Association website at: https://mensshed.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Beginners_kitchen.pdf

With one person dying every hour from heart disease and stroke, more action is needed.  In association with RTE 2FM, the Irish Heart Foundation has launched ‘Show Some Heart’ this February.  This campaign calls upon Irish workplaces to do something special by organising an event to raise funds and highlight the issues of heart disease and stroke.  Find out more at: www.irishheart.ie

The social determinants of health have a disproportionate impact on mortality in men.  A study into the state of health of the male population in Leeds, England, was undertaken to guide public health commissioning decisions.  This study found that there appears to be a lack of sex/gender analysis of current cross-city data.  In areas of deprivation, a complex picture of multiple social problems emerged, with marked gender differences in the social determinants of health and males appearing to be more negatively affected.  Find out more at: https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1186/s12889-018-5076-7

Bowel Cancer UK in Northern Ireland is looking for volunteers who have been affected by bowel cancer to give short talks in their local area about the disease in order to raise awareness of Northern Ireland’s second biggest cancer killer.  The talks, usually held in nearby workplaces, community groups or anywhere an existing group comes together, will raise awareness of the disease, signs and symptoms, risk factors and the screening programme, as well as highlighting the volunteers' own experience.  Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Northern Ireland.  Over 1,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year and around 400 people die from the disease.  Yet, it is treatable and curable - especially if diagnosed early.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 07798 523668.

Men’s high suicide rates have been linked to individual risk factors including history of being abused as a child, single marital status, and financial difficulties.  While it has also been suggested that the normative influences of hegemonic masculinities are implicated in men’s suicide, the gendered experiences of male suicidality are poorly understood.  In this study, twenty men who previously had suicidal thoughts, plans, and/or attempts were interviewed, as a means to better understand the connections between masculinities and their experiences of suicidality.  Read more at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1557988316679576

The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is legislation designed to tackle Ireland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.  It aims to reduce the damage that alcohol causes to individuals, families and society by reducing our alcohol consumption - with a particular focus on protecting children and young people from alcohol harm.  You can find out more about the Bill and how to make your voice heard at: http://alcoholireland.ie/campaigns/bill

The list of conference speakers and posters for the 5th Annual Male Psychology Conference has just been announced.  This event will take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd June 2018, and is being held in University College London.  Full details are available at: www.malepsychology.org.uk/the-conference-2018