{jcomments off}Being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things that you can do.  Studies have shown that exercise provides many health benefits, and that older adults can gain a lot by staying physically active.  The South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Department has teamed up with Ards Borough Council, Lisburn City Council and North Down Borough Council’s Leisure Services to design and develop an Active Ageing programme specifically for older adults.  The programme aims to give as many older people as possible the opportunity to experience enjoyable, appropriate, and sustainable physical activities (including walking football) in a safe, friendly, supportive and fun environment.  It is hoped that this will help to improve their health, wellbeing and independence.  The Active Ageing programme will run for a period of 12 months across the councils’ main leisure sites.  To find out more visit: www.mhfi.org/SEHSCTActiveAgeing.pdf

{jcomments off}The all-island Men's Health Week (MHW) Planning Group for 2014 felt that two things would be useful when looking forward to MHW 2015: (1) agree the overall theme for the week before the start of the year - to give everyone plenty of time to prepare their activities / programme for it; (2) request as many suggestions as possible for potential themes, and give a diverse group of people the chance to debate these and decide which one would be most useful for the coming year.  In pursuit of these aims, you are invited to submit any suggestions that you might have before Tuesday 28th October 2014.  The only restriction upon what the theme might be is that it should be relevant to a broad range of men and boys, as well as to other interest groups.  You are also invited to contribute to a face-to-face all-island meeting which will decide the overall theme for MHW 2015 in Ireland.  This meeting will take place on Monday 3rd November 2015, at 11.00am, in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  Your help would be greatly appreciated with either / both of these tasks.  For more details, contact Colin Fowler from the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Today (Monday 20th October 2014), Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister for Primary Care, Social Care and Mental Health, launched the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention's new mental health campaign titled: ‘The Little Things’ (#littlethings).  This initiative was created in partnership with over 25 organisations working in the area of mental health in Ireland.  The campaign highlights that we all experience difficult times in our lives and that, when we do, there are some simple, evidence-based, little things that can make a big difference to how we feel.  #littlethings answers two key questions: (1) What can I do?  (2) Where can I go?  A new website (www.yourmentalhealth.ie) provides a wealth of online resources including information on mental health issues, top tips for little things that can make a difference, real life stories, and a comprehensive database of mental health support services in Ireland.  These services are searchable by both location and topic, and this new interactive online resource is mobile, tablet and desktop friendly.

{jcomments off}You are invited to get active in managing your health by attending 'Get Men Talking' - a free health information and cancer awareness event to mark the Marie Keating Foundation's Men’s Health Month.  This launch will feature a panel discussion with Tony Ward (rugby legend and prostate cancer survivor), Prof John McCaffrey (Consultant Oncologist) and Prof Niall Moyna (School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University).  ‘Marathon Man’ Gerry Duffy will give a special presentation on motivation, and Chris Donoghue, from Newstalk Breakfast, will act as MC.  This event will take place on Tuesday 4th November 2014, at 6.30pm, in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4.  To register, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.mariekeating.ie for more information.  Please note that places are limited.

{jcomments off}The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust invites you to a free men’s health and wellbeing seminar on Tuesday 11th November 2014, from 9.15am - 1.00pm, in the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, 41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Belfast BT23 5RF.  This event will focus upon the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, and is open to men and anyone who works with men.  To book a place, contact Carol Brown at Tel: 02891 510275 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}In May 2013, the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly adopted the first-ever Mental Health Action Plan of the World Health Organization (WHO).  Suicide prevention is an integral part of the plan - with the goal of reducing the rate of suicide by 10% by 2020.  Despite the evidence that many deaths are preventable, suicide is often a low priority for governments and policy makers.  The objective of the WHO report - titled ‘Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative’ - is to prioritise suicide prevention on the global public health and public policy agendas, and to raise awareness of suicide as a public health issue.  The report was developed through an international consultative process, and is based on systematic reviews of data and evidence, together with inputs from partners and stakeholders.  To download this report as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, visit: www.mhfi.org/WHOSuicideReport2014.pdf

{jcomments off}Friday 26th September 2014 saw the launch of a report which examines service provision for men aged 50+ in the greater-Belfast area.  This research was undertaken by a team from Queen’s University Belfast on behalf of the Older Men’s Steering Group within Age Partnership Belfast.  The research sought to: (i) review the extent and impact of current community, voluntary, statutory or private sector services which are aimed at combating social isolation among men in the Belfast area, and (ii) identify how these services are meeting current need, and ways in which they may be developed to meet future requirements.  The report is now available online at: www.volunteernow.co.uk/fs/doc/publications/men-aged-50-final-report.pdf

{jcomments off}Most men celebrate and respect women - they don’t control them.  Men and women need to stand together to declare zero tolerance on violence against women.  To end this violence, everyone needs to be part of the solution.  To achieve this, SAFE Ireland is launching their MAN UP 2014 campaign on Wednesday 22nd October 2014 in Dublin.  This event will communicate the positive role that men can play in ending domestic violence.  Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on violence against women, will get the 2014 initiative underway.  Broadcaster, Ryan Tubridy, will give a guest introduction and will chair a panel discussion with the MAN UP partners.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Claire on Tel: 090 6479078.