It is with great sadness that the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) would like to offer our condolences to the family of our founder, Dr Ian Banks, who passed away on Friday 13th February 2026.

Since the 1990s, Ian has been the leading light of men’s health issues and needs across the island of Ireland, Great Britain, other parts of Europe and, occasionally, further afield!  He has also been an inspiration to - and good friend of - everyone in MHFI.  He will be sorely missed by us all.

 May he rest in peace | Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

While overall health outcomes have improved in recent decades, men continue to experience lower life expectancy and higher mortality rates from the leading causes of death.  The Engage National Men’s Health Training Programme was developed to support service providers to work more effectively with men, by providing practical strategies to improve engagement, understanding and health outcomes.  Engage is a free, one-day, interactive workshop which focuses on evidence-based approaches.  During the workshop, participants: develop a clearer understanding of why men’s health matters; explore how gender influences men’s attitudes, behaviours and engagement; reflect on their own experiences, expectations and skills when working with men; learn what 'male-friendly' services look like; discover relevant tools and resources; explore how to create safe spaces where men feel comfortable seeking support.  Find out more at: https://youtu.be/rPDJkaiANBs 

Barbers are more than stylists - they’re trusted listeners.  ‘Talking Heads’ is an initiative which seeks to embed ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ across Fingal communities.  It’s designed to encourage young men to talk more openly about their mental health, and equips local barbers with the skills to make a difference.  Through training, barbers learn to recognise signs of distress, start supportive conversations, listen well, and connect their customers with the help they need.  These everyday interactions can be life-changing.  Watch the Talking Heads video and see how barbers are stepping-up to support mental health and prevent suicide in Fingal and North Dublin: https://youtu.be/IN9AEsocqWQ

New figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal how many healthy years of life men and women in every Northern Irish council area can expect: https://tinyurl.com/2vkb9y5a

Research Ireland has announced 63 ‘New Foundations’ awards supporting community-engaged projects across the country, including three significant initiatives led by TU Dublin.  One of these, ‘Men Engage’, is a major collaboration with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and other partners, focusing on improving men’s understanding of prostate cancer and exploring their experiences - from testing through to survivorship.  Working closely with Irish Men’s Sheds, the project will co‑create an accessible resource to demystify prostate cancer and gather men’s real‑world perspectives to inform future awareness work.  Findings will be shared during Men’s Health Week - strengthening national efforts to support early detection and men’s wellbeing.  See: www.tudublin.ie/research-innovation/news/tu-dublin-researchers-secure-new-foundations-awards-for-community-engaged-projects.html

The National Office for Clinical Audit has published the latest Irish Heart Attack Audit, examining STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction - a type of heart attack that happens when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly cut off, usually by a blood clot) presentations in Ireland during 2024.  In that year, there were 1,615 confirmed STEMIs, with 75% of these being male.  Read the report at: https://www.noca.ie/documents/irish-heart-attack-audit-national-report-2024

Men’s Aid Ireland provides specialist support to male victims of domestic violence, coercive control and domestic abuse, as well as support to their families.  This work aims to improve safety, wellbeing and access to appropriate support for men affected by abuse.  Their RoI national helpline is available on 01 554 3811 and they can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Support is also available through their Trim Courthouse Service - where men can attend by appointment or on a walk-in basis.  Men’s Aid Ireland provides training and awareness sessions for groups and organisations on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; including the impact on men, barriers to disclosure, and how services and communities can respond appropriately.  For more information, visit: www.mensaid.ie

A new national coalition, HPV Network Ireland, has been launched to raise awareness of HPV and its link to six cancers affecting both men and women.  While HPV is widely associated with cervical cancer, it is also linked to throat, mouth, anal and penile cancers, many of which affect men disproportionately and are often diagnosed late - as there is no routine screening for these cancers in Ireland.  Chaired by Dr Cara Martin, Associate Professor in Molecular Pathology at Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, the Network brings together key organisations including the Irish Cancer Society, Marie Keating Foundation, Irish Pharmacy Union and Gay Health Network to counter misinformation and support cancer prevention efforts.  Each year in Ireland, around 640 people are diagnosed with HPV associated cancers and 196 die - many of them preventable through vaccination and early awareness.  Visit: https://mariekeating.ie/2026/03/new-national-hpv-network-launches-with-call-for-action-on-hpv-awareness-and-cancer-prevention