{jcomments off}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.  A free 32 page Man Manual (based upon the ‘Haynes Manual’ model) will soon be launched by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to mark Men’s Health Week 2015.   It poses ten simple and practical health challenges to men and, to meet every challenge, it offers three choices.  All 10,000 copies of this manual were snapped-up within a few weeks last year - so, if you would like some copies to distribute to the men you know / work with, get in touch soon!  You can see what last year’s version looked like at: www.mhfi.org/challenges.pdf   The 2015 edition will update some of the content in this version.  To order copies, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and provide your name, organisation (if applicable), postal address, telephone number, and state how many copies you would like to have.  The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, the Health Promotion and Improvement Department within the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, and the author - Dr Ian Banks.

{jcomments off}Health professionals, healthcare workers, educators, youth workers and community workers are invited to apply for a place on a ‘Gender and Health Workshop’ which will take place on Wednesday 13th May 2015, from 9.15am - 4.30pm, in the Regional Education Centre, Ardee, Co. Louth.  This training is being facilitated by Rosemary O’Callaghan (Development Officer for Women’s Health) and Finian Murray (Development Officer for Men’s Health) from the HSE Dublin North East.  For more details, visit: www.mhfi.org/GenderCourse2015.pdf

{jcomments off}Young people across Ireland are growing up in a wide variety of settings and environments - all of which powerfully influence their health outcomes.  The majority of these young people experience good health.  However, the enjoyment of health is not evenly distributed across Ireland’s youth.  The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has produced ‘Health Inequalities and Young People in Ireland: A Review of the Literature’ to provide a comprehensive analysis of key national and international evidence in relation to health inequalities, along with an overview of the extent of health inequalities among young people in Ireland.  The review highlights gaps and limitations in knowledge in Ireland, and provides an overview of recent policies and initiatives that can contribute to strengthening our capacity to address health inequalities across the youth sector.  You can access a PDF version of this report at: www.mhfi.org/NYCI2015.pdf

{jcomments off}The primary aim of this programme is to train youth and community workers to deliver HIV, hepatitis, and sexual health education programmes to the groups in their care.  Over four days, participants will be trained on HIV, hepatitis, STIs, negotiating safer sex, and general sexual health.  Guest speakers will also form part of the programme including speakers on contraception and family planning, relationships and sexuality education, LGBT issues, and best practice guidelines with regard to sexual health education programmes.  The dates are: 12th May, 19th May, 26th May and 2nd June 2015, with the programme commencing at 10.00am and lasting until 4.30pm each day.  Participants will receive the 'Let's Talk About... Safer Sex' training resource manual on completion of the programme.  For further information, visit: www.dublinaidsalliance.ie/index.php?page=Training-for-Trainers

{jcomments off}A new branch of the British Society of Gerontology in Northern Ireland (BSGNI) is being formed which will bring together practitioners, educators, policy-makers, students and older people.  The aim of the Society is to increase awareness of social gerontology, and to develop a vibrant, cross-sector, social gerontology research network within Northern Ireland.  To launch BSGNI, an event titled ‘Representing Age’ will take place on Wednesday 22nd April 2015.  Professor Julia Twigg (University of Kent) will present her research on clothes, fashion and age, whilst Dr Maeve Rea (Queen’s University Belfast) will talk about ‘Super Vivere: Reflections on long life and ageing well’.  This event will take place in the Arts Council, 77 Malone Road, Belfast, from 3.00pm - 5.00pm.  Registration begins at 2.30pm.  The event is free.  However, places are limited and, so, must be booked in advance by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) has opened up a new round of funding through their Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) programme.  They are seeking new community-pharmacy partnerships throughout Northern Ireland and continue to support partnerships previously involved in BCPP.  The BCPP programme promotes and supports local communities to work in partnership with community pharmacists to address local health and social wellbeing needs using a community development approach.  Level 2 funding is for those with established partnerships who have a clear vision of what they want the project to achieve.  It consists of a maximum of £10,000 for a project that can last up to two years.  The closing date for Level 2 applications is Thursday 16th April 2015 at 4.00pm.  For more information, visit: www.cdhn.org/bcpp

{jcomments off}I am a 51 year old woman living with Bipolar; married for 24 years to a man who has walked the demanding path of Bipolar with me.  However, it has had a cost for him.  As a man, he has had to carry the pressure alone.  My taking Lithium has helped, but it has left him stressed and questioning his own self-confidence.  At 45, I returned to University and studied Psychology.  I wanted to increase the research and support for men living with and loving someone with Bipolar.  At the moment, there is nothing available to help men living with a partner with bipolar.  This is a silent sector suffering alone.  I am dedicating my present Thesis to examining the experience of Irish men.  I am asking Irish men to come forward to be interviewed for my research and, from this, to develop a specific therapy for men living with this burden.  I am asking you - any men with this experience - to tell me your story, and let me know the supports you need.  The interviews will be under an assumed name, in confidence, and can be completed through Skype.  To help with this study, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 086 8598792.

{jcomments off}The Irish Men's Sheds Association is seeking an Interim Chief Executive to take on the management, oversight, and day-to-day running of the organisation for a period of one year.  This is an opportunity to join one of Ireland’s most innovative organisations which is making a difference to men’s lives and impacting on the wider community.  The Interim Chief Executive will work closely with the Board of Directors, and will manage the current team of staff and volunteers.  The role will focus on all core aspects of operational, financial and team management, and the successful candidate should be passionate about social change and a champion for the work of Men’s Sheds in Ireland.  For more details see: http://menssheds.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMSA-Interim-CEO-Job-description.pdf