'Movember' is seeking respondents in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States to submit proposals to their Prostate Cancer Health Equity Initiative.  This initiative aims to fund projects that build or strengthen the evidence base of promising approaches that contribute to health equity.  It focuses upon promoting inclusion and improved outcomes for marginalised and traditionally under-represented populations of men at risk of, or diagnosed and living with, prostate cancer.  The purpose is to reduce disparities in prostate cancer outcomes - through generating new knowledge and strengthening evidence by accelerating adoption and implementation of that knowledge into practice.  Find out more at Ireland: https://ie.movember.com/about/funding  |  UK: https://uk.movember.com/about/funding

Don’t forget that Saturday 19th November 2023 is International Men’s Day.  Many groups and workplaces across the island of Ireland are hosting events to mark this important occasion, so keep an eye out for them locally.

The Elephant in the Room Movement - founded by former rugby player, pundit, psychotherapist and mental health advocate Brent Pope - is a creative initiative that sees four-foot-tall baby elephant sculptures being painted by well-known artists or celebrities.  The project aims to encourage the normalisation of the mental health topic in every area of society throughout Ireland.  Once the bespoke design has been applied to the elephant, it is mounted on a presentation plinth, with a naming plaque, and positioned in the likes of foyers and reception areas of businesses.  The Elephant sculpture declares that the company or organisation takes mental health seriously in their workplace and, by having an elephant on site, they are showing their employees and visitors that they prioritise their mental health and are committed to supporting their wellbeing.  For more information or to get involved, visit: www.elephantintheroom.ie

Three animations have been created by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, YouthAction NI and VOYPIC to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation as experienced by boys and young men.  Check them out at: https://www.safeguardingni.org/latest/boys-and-young-men-animation-launch

Around 2,600 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the Republic of Ireland every year.  Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in men.  BowelScreen, the HSE’s national bowel cancer screening programme, has just announced that it is lowering the age range of screening from 60 to 59.  This is part of their ongoing plan to eventually make screening available to all people aged 55-74.  Put simply, if cancer is diagnosed through BowelScreen testing, it is more likely to be found at an early stage - when treatment may lead to a better outcome.  As men are a particularly under-represented group in the bowel cancer screening programme, all eligible males are encouraged to find out more about it at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bowel-screening/screening-information

In the most recent podcast by Belfast Men's Health Group, Paul O'Kane chats with Eoin Kernan - a water sports enthusiast who is also living with an eating disorder.  Listen in at: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6eisn-148330b

To celebrate International Men's Day 2023, The Centre for Male Psychology is offering a reduced price on their 'Introduction to Male Psychology and Mental Health' course.  This is approved by The British Psychological Society for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and offers: six hours of e-learning about male psychology and mental health; additional hours of self-directed learning to develop your insights further; twelve-months of on-demand access to video presentations and learning materials.  Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdf3j98r

Have you listened to the HSE's 'Positive Mental Health' podcast yet? …  If not, check it out at: https://youtu.be/BR1LXhiGdf8  In this episode, the host (Fergal Fox) chats to Olive Fanning and Anne Marie Murphy (HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Officers) about positive mental health and the HSE’s 'Minding Your Wellbeing' programme - which is available through a series of five videos along with other mental health supports at: www.yourmentalhealth.ie