One of the most comprehensive global surveys ever undertaken into men’s perceptions of their health reveals that the overwhelming majority of men want to take greater control of their health and wellbeing.  They are also just as confident as women that they can do so.  The survey - ‘Men’s Health: Perceptions from Around the Globe’ - shows that almost 9 out of 10 men want to take a more proactive role in managing their health.  This is in sharp contrast to the commonly-held belief that men don’t look after themselves and often ignore health problems.  The findings indicate significant opportunities for policymakers around the world who are looking for ways to improve men’s health and wellbeing as part of more efficient and effective healthcare services.  To find out more, visit: www.gamh.org/men4selfcare

‘Connect’ - the Freephone telephone counselling and support service for adults who experienced abuse in childhood - will once again extend its service to open every evening from Wednesday 14th December 2016 up to, and including, Sunday 1st January 2017, from 6.00pm -10.00pm.  Connect has, year on year, noticed an increase in men availing of its service to speak confidentially and anonymously about childhood experiences of neglect and trauma with a professionally trained psychotherapist.  The Christmas period can be quite an isolating and stressful time for people, and everyone is encouraged to avail of the Connect service which is Freephone 1800 477 477 to callers from the Republic of Ireland and 00800 477 477 77 to callers from the UK and Northern Ireland.

This publication is one of a series of reports produced as part of the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Inequalities Monitoring System (HSCIMS), and presents a comprehensive analysis of health inequality gaps between the most and least deprived areas of Northern Ireland, across a range of indicators.  The report is accompanied by downloadable data tables which contain all figures, including urban and rural breakdowns.  The report also includes a set of infographics incorporating some of the main findings.  It can be accessed at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/hscims-report-2016.pdf

The five Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams (NIDACTs), alongside the Public Health Agency (PHA), would like to invite you to apply for grants of up to £500 (maximum of two per organisation) to develop and run events and or initiatives in support of 'Dry January' / 'Feel Good February' 2017.  The focus of Dry January is to support and encourage people to totally abstain from drinking alcohol for that whole month by providing alcohol related information, advice, support, and suggesting or providing alcohol-free leisure and social alternatives.  Feel Good February seeks to support and encourage people who have participated in Dry January to maintain some of the good habits or alternatives that they have put in place.  Applications should be made by completing the short online application form at: www.drugsandalcoholni.info/dryjanuary   The deadline for submissions is 4.00pm on Friday 9th December 2016.

Cancer Research UK has funded a study of HPV vaccination in young adult men who have sex with men (MSM). One part of this study involves an online survey of healthcare professionals potentially involved in MSM vaccination (e.g. sexual health clinicians, nurses, GPs etc.).  If you are one of these people, the researchers would like you to consider completing their survey or circulating the link to anyone who you think it might be relevant to.  This survey can be found at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HealthcareProf

There has been growth in prison populations globally in recent decades.  As a consequence, we now see an unprecedented rise in the number of children who experience parental imprisonment.  Although there is considerable focus on imprisoned mothers, there is limited knowledge or understanding of the needs, experiences or effective responses to fathers and their children - despite men making up the vast majority of the prison population.  'Child Care in Practice' intends to publish a special edition focused on responding to the needs of children whose fathers are imprisoned, and papers are welcomed from a range of disciplines.  Authors considering contributing a paper to this special edition should submit a 250 word abstract summarising the title, author(s), focus and main points of the article by Monday 6th February 2017 to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Guidelines for authors on the preparation of Abstracts are available at: http://journalauthors.tandf.co.uk/preparation/writing.asp

The Helplines Network NI warmly invites you to the launch of the first Northern Ireland Helplines Awareness Day.  This will commence at 10.00am on Monday 6th February 2017 in Belfast City Hall.  This event is aimed at stakeholders across public, private, statutory, community, voluntary, advice, health and social care sectors.  Guests will be able to find out about the extensive range of helplines providing support, advice and information to the public across Northern Ireland.  To register for a place or get further information, please email Liz McGrath at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'Something of Who I Am' is an exhibition which uses objects to take you on the journey of life - as negotiated by six people living in Northern Ireland.  In each case, you will see a selection of objects which six participants (aged 61 to 80 years) have volunteered as offering some insight into a significant moment or memory on the ‘vapour trail of life’.  The project is anchored in the work of Booker Prize winning novelist Penelope Lively.  In 2014, Lively published a memoir titled 'Ammonites and Leaping Fish: a life in time'.  In the final chapter, Lively chooses six objects which ‘articulate something of who I am’.  This exhibition seeks to communicate the rich perspective that is provided by living a long life, and challenges us all to think about our future older selves.  The exhibition will run in The Gallery (1st floor), Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NH from Thursday 8th December to Thursday 15th December 2016.  For opening hours, please visit: www.ark.ac.uk/ap/lively/some-thing-of-who-i-am