Millions of men across the United Kingdom are hiding feelings of loneliness according to research released at the start of May 2017.  This study found that an estimated eight million (35%) men feel lonely at least once a week whilst, for nearly three million (11%), it’s a daily occurrence.  More than one in ten men also say they are lonely, but would not admit it to anyone.  The research, conducted for the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness by Royal Voluntary Service, also reveals the triggers to loneliness.  To find out more, visit: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/news-and-events/news/new-research-on-behalf-of-jo-cox-commission-on-loneliness-suggests-millions-of-men-young-and-old-are-experiencing-loneliness-but-suffering-in-silence

EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database reveals that even though work-related accidents are not very common in the EU, the vast majority of them happen to men - who account for approximately 78% of victims.  Explore more statistics on safety and wellbeing at work at: http://eige.europa.eu/gender-statistics/dgs/browse/ta/ta_wrk/ta_wrk_env/ta_wrk_env_safe

The Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of misusing prescription medication.  It is estimated that the misuse of prescription medication such as Tramadol, Diazepam and anti-depressants was responsible for 27 times more deaths than illicit drugs such as cocaine in 2015.  Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy, Health and Social Care Board said: ‘We have one of the highest rates of deaths in Northern Ireland as a result of prescription medicine abuse.  We want people to understand that while prescription medicine can be beneficial when prescribed correctly, it can cause serious harm and, sadly, as we have seen recently, death when misused, abused or mixed with other drugs or alcohol’.  This will, predominantly, be a social media campaign, targeting not just young people but also parents to raise greater awareness about the dangers of misusing medicine.  A video explaining the issues is available at https://business.facebook.com/healthandsocialcareboard/videos/1888910497989989

International Men's Health Week (MHW) 2017 runs from Monday 12th until Sunday 18th June 2017.  The theme in Ireland this year focuses upon ‘It’s all about HIM’, and the key question is: ‘how are you doing?’  If the answer is ‘not very well’, then it’s time to join with other people to do something positive and practical about it!

Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, launched the countdown to #MHW2017 when she invited some members of the all-island Planning Group to meet her in Government Buildings, Dublin.

To find out more about the week, what's happening and how you can support it / get involved, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2017.html

 

The Association for the Study of Obesity on the island of Ireland (ASOI) is hosting its 2017 Annual Conference from 4th- 5th May 2017.  This year the focus is on Childhood Obesity and, in collaboration with the Health Behaviour Change Research Group at NUI Galway, and the ESPRIT Research Group within the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC, there will be an expanded programme over two days with over 15 keynote speakers from 7 different countries.  Full details are availbale at: www.asoi.info

We’re nearly there.  The clock is ticking ...  it won’t be long now until International Men's Health Week (MHW).  This year, it will run from Monday 12th until Sunday 18th June 2017.  The theme in Ireland will focus upon: ‘It’s all about HIM’.  The starting point for this year’s conversation about improving the health of males is to answer the question ‘how are you doing?’...  If the answer is ‘not very well’, then it might be time to think about doing something that will make a positive difference to the health of the men and boys that you have contact with and influence over.  MHW 2017 offers a launch pad to do this.

As always, the overarching aims of MHW are to:

• Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
• Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities.
• Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

However, any events, activities and actions to mark this occasion are very welcome.

To find out more about the week and how you can mark it, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2017.html

At the end of March 2017, Minister for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD, and Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD, launched a public consultation on a new Healthy Workplace Framework.  The Framework will provide guidance, which can be adapted to any workplace setting, to help create and sustain healthy workplaces throughout the Republic of Ireland.  The development of the Framework is an initiative within the Healthy Ireland agenda.  Interested parties are invited to submit their views via an online survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyWorkplaceFramework or by attending a consultation workshop in Limerick (10th May 2017) or Sligo (17th May 2017).  Register for these events at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VV25FYS

The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) recently produced eight new videos on working with men - three for use as group work resources in the Engage National Men’s Health Training Programme and five examples of effective practice with men.  The latter five videos focused upon: (1) Men on the Move Project in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; (2) Mojo Project in Tallaght, Dublin; (3) Kilcock Men’s Shed in Co. Kildare; (4) Men About The Town (MATT) in Newry, Co. Down; (5) The Larkin Centre in North Inner City Dublin.  All of these five short videos give a sense of why men wanted to join the projects and what they get from being there.  You can view them online at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCukqjWhGpp1SlnJkIo-0VvA/videos

MHFI is, currently, trying to recruit 100 subscribers to this YouTube Channel so that we can get a user-friendly web address.  If you have a Google Account, would you be willing to subscribe and/or ask your colleagues and friends to do so?  If so, visit: www.youtube.com/channel/UCukqjWhGpp1SlnJkIo-0VvA  and click the red ‘Subscribe’ button.