Every year since 2014, there has been a Men's Health Week (MHW) postcard to publicise the week.  Traditionally, these cards can be displayed as small flyers in public spaces, and are often sent by organisations to the men that they have contact with.  This has proved to be a very successful means of letting local men know about the week.

Some groups have also used them as 'pledge cards' (e.g. this year, men can write on the card what their 'picture of health' might look like).  Later on, they could keep this beside their desk, on their work bench, attached to their dashboard etc. to remind them of what they want to do and hope to achieve.

The front of the postcard has a similar design to the MHW poster, and the back has a pre-written message which says:

This year, the postcards are available in both hard copy and as online electronic files.  For the electronic download version, see: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Postcard2023

Sorry, but all of the hard copies of the postcards have now been given out and there are no more in stock.

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.  ‘Action Man - ten top tips for men’s health’ is a new, free, Man Manual (being distributed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland) to mark Men’s Health Week 2023.

This booklet doesn't preach or lecture - it simply explains: (i) WHY an action is needed; (ii) WHAT can be done about it; and (iii) HOW to find support if you need it.  Thus, the ten top tips put you into the driving seat, and give you the tools and DIY instructions to make positive changes - if you choose to be your own ‘Action Man’.

During Men’s Health Week 2023, this booklet will be available in hard copy and in electronic format.  To order hard copies, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.stating:

• How many copies you would like.
• The name of the person to send them to.
• The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.
• A contact phone number (in case there is a problem with the delivery).

The online version can be downloaded at: https://mhfi.org/ActionMan2023.pdf

The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Ireland within the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency and the authors - Finian Murray and Colin Fowler.

 

 

Every year there are hundreds (possibly even thousands) of events and activities 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.

As in previous years, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) will promote the details of any activities or events that are being held throughout the island of Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2023.  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.

These activities might include health checks, conferences, launches, games, seminars, competitions, workshops, courses, displays, health fairs, workplace mail-outs ...  Whatever the activity, everyone is encouraged to submit their details.

There are two ways to let us know about what is happening to mark the week: (i) submit the details using the online form (at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html); or (ii) download and save a copy of the MS Word Registration Form (www.mhfi.org/mhw2023project.docx), type in the details, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.it back to us.

Absolutely everyone can do something to promote Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2023.  There are many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support.  There is a common logo / image pack which can be used by everyone who wishes to raise awareness of MHW.  There is also a MHW 2023 poster and postcard.  These are important promotional tools - as one of the key aims is to let as many people as possible know about the week.  These are available to anyone who wishes to use them at www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html

Here’s some practical suggestions …

-  Put a Men’s Health Week poster (or two or three) up in your workplace / meeting space / community centre / local shop / waiting room / church hall / Men’s Shed / gym / library / pub / surgery / construction site / home ...

-  Promote the week on your website - using a copy of the Men’s Health Week logo and other images e.g. badge or banner.

-  Link to the web page devoted to Men’s Health Week 2023 (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2023.html) from your own website, Facebook page or other social networking site.

-  Send an email to everyone on your mailing list to tell them about Men’s Health Week, and ask them to forward the message to all their contacts.  Why not also insert the MHW logo, badge or banner into your outgoing emails during May and June?

-  Become a fan of the Men’s Health Week in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and send this link to all your online friends.

-  Include information on Men’s Health Week 2023 in your mailouts and newsletters.

-  Tell others about what is happening in your area during Men’s Health Week by posting details on the MHFI website.  Use the form at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html

-  Make the Men’s Health Week logo or badge your computer desktop ‘wallpaper’ during May and June.

-  Remind your colleagues to follow all the latest news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).  Also Tweet about the week yourself, and include #MensHealthWeek and #ThePictureOfHealth in your message.

-  Encourage the men you know to get involved in some of the activities taking place during the week, and give them a copy of the free ‘Action Man’ booklet.

Doing one or more of these simple (and free) things will contribute hugely to MHW 2023!

 

Men’s health issues and needs are numerous and complicated.  So much so, that we could probably assign a different one to highlight on each day of the year and still have an outstanding pool of ones to explore!  However, when preparing for Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2023, the all-island Planning Group felt that it would be useful to draw attention to a specific theme on each day during the week, as well as announce the final countdown to MHW during the week before.

The focus of each day will be ...

• Friday 9th June:  What's your 'Picture of Health'? - be the man you want to be
• Monday 12th June:  Trash the ash
• Tuesday 13th June:  Prevention is better than cure
• Wednesday 14th June:  Food for thought
• Thursday 15th June:  What do you depend on?
• Friday 16th June:  Mental fitness
• Saturday 17th June:  Let’s get physical - be more than a sports spectator
• Sunday 18th June:  Fathers Day - the important role of fathers in their children's lives

Social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok) offers a powerful tool for organisations to spread their message.  During Men’s Health Week 2023, everyone is encouraged to ‘Post’ and ‘Tweet’ about it and, when possible, to use the hashtags: #MensHealthWeek  |  #ThePictureOfHealth

To support this, a range of social media graphics are also available.
 
For those people who would like to support MHW 2023 using their own social media channels - but who don't have the time, energy or knowledge to develop their own messages - a ready-made pool of Posts and Tweets that you can simply cut-and-paste from will be available online just before the week begins.  Keep an eye to www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2023.html#Tweet for more details closer to the week.

Even loading a few things to social media platforms makes a huge difference to publicising the week.  This is, therefore, an easy and free way to show support for MHW.

 

To keep everyone up-to-date with the latest news on Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2023 - 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! ...  Don’t forget to send the links to all your friends.  If you’re really into it, please Tweet about MHW 2023 yourself, and include the hashtags #MensHealthWeek and #ThePictureOfHealth in your messages.

Workplaces directly influence the physical, mental, economic and social wellbeing of workers and in turn, the health of their families, communities and society.  With more than two million people employed in the Republic of Ireland, the workplace offers an ideal setting and infrastructure to support the promotion of health to a large audience.  Healthy Ireland, within the Department of Health, has just launched a new website which aims to be the one-stop-shop for everything you need to make your workplace a healthy workplace.  Visit it at: https://healthyworkplace.ie

Are you interested in engaging more men in your service? ...  If so, you might want to check out the free 'Engage - Connecting with Men' workshop which is taking place on Thursday 15th June 2023 in Longford.  This interactive event will run from 9.30am until 4.30pm.  The aim of this workshop is to assist a broad range of practitioners and service providers to explore the world of males, and to develop practical strategies for effectively engaging with them around health and wellbeing issues.  It focuses on the engagement process i.e. the why and how of building relationships with men.  For more information, or to register for a place, email Kathleen Pardy at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.