The goal of the Tennessee Men's Health Report Card is to monitor the health and wellbeing of men in Tennessee, USA, and to inform strategies to improve the health of men in the state.  Following the 2010, 2012 and 2014 editions, this fourth edition of the Report Card continues to distinguish Tennessee as the only state in the USA that has regularly published such a document to guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes and policies to improve men's health.  The 2017 Report Card presents data collected by the Tennessee Department of Health and the U.S. Census Bureau.  Wouldn't it be great to have a similar progress monitoring tool on the island of Ireland? ...

Suicide rates among those employed in male-dominated professions such as construction are elevated compared to other occupational groups.  To date, research has been mainly quantitative and has been unable to identify the complex range of risk and protective factors that surround these suicides.  This study used a national coronial database to qualitatively study suicide amongst male construction workers in Australia.  It found that the risk factors included work-related issues such as job insecurity, transient working conditions and fear of legal prosecution in relation to debt and conduct at work.  Substance issues, alcohol use and mental health issues were also prominent, as were family breakdown and the lack of access to children.  The findings from the study are available online at: www.bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4500-8

On Thursday 20th July 2017, the Irish Men's Sheds Association will be officially launching their new men's health website called 'Spanner in the Works?'  This will offer information on every aspect of the male body - from head to toe - as well as signposting to sources of advice and support.  You can check it out at: www.malehealth.ie

Suicide disproportionately affects men, who are less likely to access support through traditional routes.  Increasingly, imaginative initiatives are being developed to support vulnerable men at risk of suicide.  One approach is the use of creative media such as moving image arts.  This PhD study (within the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Queen's University Belfast) will gather interdisciplinary expertise to examine the theoretical potential for creative media interventions which can increase mental health literacy, improve resilience, and reduce the risk of suicide in men in the United Kingdom and Canada.  For more information on this initiative, visit: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/FundingandScholarships/Doctoral-Training-Centres/spark/Creativemediaasavehicleforreductionofsuicideriskinmen  See: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/FundingandScholarships/Doctoral-Training-Centres/spark for details of how to apply.  The closing date for applications has been extended to Friday 11th August 2017.

You are invited to an Open Night and Barbeque in the Mojo Men’s Shed, St Thomas' Parish Centre, Jobstown, Tallght, Dublin, on Wednesday 12th July 2017, at 7.30pm.  This is an event for any man (aged 18+) who would like to see what this Shed is all about and/or who'd like to become a member.  The things the lads do in the Shed include: horticulture, pool / darts, woodwork, volunteering, being an advocate for men's health in the community, committee work, trips, walking, hosting open nights / BBQs, training to become 'Mojo Listeners' in the community, supporting the Mojo programme, education on wellbeing, art, and having lots and lots of cups of tea!  For more information, contact Danny on 087 7938489 or Paddy on 085 7516038.

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has just launched their all-new ‘Spot Cancer Early - Manual for Men’.  Electronic copies can be downloaded from: www.cancer.ie/menshealth  Hard copies are also available from ICS Daffodil Centres and Boots stores in the Republic of Ireland.

One of the key findings from the Mental Health Needs Assessment carried out by the National Youth Health Programme in 2015, was the need to support organisations, practitioners and young people in Ireland to access appropriate mental health services.  In response to this need, a Youth Mental Health Signposting tool was developed.  It provides information on available youth mental health services, training programmes, community supports and children’s rights.  See what it looks like at: www.youthhealth.ie/signposts

Suicide charity, 3Ts (Turn the Tide of Suicide), recently launched a series of ‘T-Time’ videos which aim to destigmatise mental health and help with understanding and coping with specific mental health issues.  The topics include: depression and low mood; anxiety and panic; self-harm; stress; knowing the signs of suicide.  T-Time is a collaboration between 3Ts and YouTuber, James Mitchell.  It looks at mental health in a relaxed, informal way, as James explores each topic over a cup of tea with 3Ts’ Mental Health Coordinator and Psychotherapist, Clare O’Brien.  They are part of 3Ts’ ‘3 Steps’ campaign which aims to teach people to know the signs, know the words and know the supports when discussing mental health concerns.  The videos set out simple steps to take in approaching these difficult topics, and are available at: www.3ts.ie/need-help/3steps-mental-health-videos