{jcomments off}The Public Health Agency has recently reproduced the ‘Steps to Deal with Stress’ booklet (developed by the Scottish Government). This resource aims to help individuals to recognise the signs of stress, and offers advice to enable them to help themselves to feel better.  Research shows that while feeling stressed is common, talking about it or being able to deal with it remains taboo.  The booklet helps people to take small achievable steps to deal with stress - before it escalates into more serious mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.  It covers the causes of stress, coping with difficult situations, learning from bad experiences, practical things you can do, and signposts the reader to sources of help.

{jcomments off}The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has published the first bulletin from the Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010 / 2011.  The survey provides information on a broad range of health issues e.g. general health, mental health, physical activity, diet, obesity, smoking and alcohol use ...  The survey results can be accessed at: www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-dhssps/news-dhssps-151111-health-survey-northern.htm

{jcomments off}A report on the Northern Ireland Sport and Physical Activity Survey was recently launched by Sport Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency and the UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland).  This report provides, for the first time, a complete picture of adult participation in sport and physical activity across Northern Ireland.  The report found that most adults in Northern Ireland are not sufficiently active to maintain a general health benefit.  In fact, only 35% of Northern Ireland’s adult population achieves the required 30 minutes of activity on at least five days per week.  What’s more, it was found that most physical activity actually occurs at home.  This is followed by activities at work, while sporting activities came in third.  Copies of the report are available for free online downloading at: www.sportni.net/Media/Add+Articles/SAPAS2010

{jcomments off}The School of Nursing and Midwifery in Queen's University Belfast is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow.  The person appointed will work on a project titled: 'Teenage Men and Unintended Pregnancy - An Educational Resource'.   This study is an ESRC funded ‘follow-on study’, which seeks to develop and promote (with key stakeholders) an educational resource on teenage men and unintended pregnancy.  This resource will be delivered in post-primary schools in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd December 2011, and more details can be found online at: https://hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=8764341aqX&WVID=6273090Lgx&LANG=USA 

{jcomments off}It’s 'Movember' again ... The ‘Mo’ (slang for moustache) and November come together each year for ‘Movember’.  Movember challenges men to change their appearance - and the face of men’s health - by growing a moustache.  Thousands of men from throughout Ireland and around the world join in, and raise vital funds / awareness for men’s health, generally, and prostate cancer, specifically.  For more information on Movember, visit: http://ie.movember.com

{jcomments off}The European Commission recently published a “State of Men’s Health in Europe” Report (large PDF file).  This report highlights that the health of European men is a serious concern, and draws upon data from the 27 European Union countries plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  However, while acknowledging that every year twice as many men of working age (16-64 years) die compared to women, the European Commission offers few suggestions or recommendations as to how to address this situation.  To fill this void, the European Men’s Health Forum (EMHF) has produced a document which starts from the simple position that males should not, necessarily, die earlier, and that there are things that can be done to change their lives for the better.  This response is available online, and challenges politicians, health professionals, employers, educators, social engineers and men, themselves, to not only ask why this situation occurs, but also what should be done about it and how.

{jcomments off}Men and women from more than 50 countries are calling on people around the world to unite and focus on “Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life” in the run up to International Men’s Day (Saturday 19th November 2011).  Organisers are promising the biggest boys’ weekend ever seen, as the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day shares a 48 hour partnership with Universal Children’s Day (Sunday 20th November 2011), and is endorsed by the United Nations.  This event asks people around the world to focus on five key challenges that boys experience in the areas of health, education, family life, violence, and life choices, and to develop local solutions to the global problems that young men face.

{jcomments off}The National Trails Office within the Irish Sports Council has just launched two free publications titled: ‘Discover Trail Walking’ and ‘Discover Cycling’.  These booklets were written and published with the intention of introducing simple outdoor activities to the public.  Trail walking and cycling are particularly good activities for keeping fit because of their low impact, easy accessibility, and whole body health benefits.  Studies show that just being outdoors can instantly relax and rejuvenate the mind!  The Discover Trail Walking publication gives a comprehensive introduction to trails around Ireland, tips and advice to both new and more experienced walkers, and offers personal experiences from a range of people.  There is also a special section dedicated to ‘Slí na Sláinte’ (Path to Health) routes - developed by the Irish Heart Foundation.  The Discover Cycling publication aims to provide readers with the basic information needed to start cycling, and is also ideal for anyone who may have cycled in the past and would like to give it a go again.  The guide will help readers to choose a bike, find a suitable cycling route, maintain a bike, stay safe while riding, get fit, and have fun.  Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to receive copies for yourself or multiple copies to distribute to fellow health-minded friends.  The publications can also be downloaded at: www.irishtrails.ie/National_Trails_Office/Publications/General_Interest