To celebrate International Men’s Day 2021, Belfast Men’s Health Group teamed up with Northern Visions TV to make a programme called 'Local Champions'.  This offers a collection of stories about local men who have overcome adversity in their lives, and who give something back to their local communities.  Check it out at: https://vimeo.com/646508587

To celebrate International Men's Day 2021, a webinar was organised by a partnership of Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trusts, the Public Health Agency, local councils, universities and voluntary sector organisations.  Called ‘Turning it Around’, it featured two very inspirational and passionate speakers - Paul Ferris (ex-Newcastle United professional footballer from Northern Ireland) and Oisín McConville (former Crossmaglen Rangers and Co. Armagh GAA star) - who shared their personal stories about how the challenges they have faced impacted upon their health and wellbeing.  Most importantly, they highlighted how they managed to turn their world around for the better.  Watch it at: https://youtu.be/-d_YNTFSSA0

It is a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women.  The reality is that eating disorders affect both men and women, boys and girls.  Historically, men affected by eating disorders have been under-diagnosed, under-recognised and under-treated.  In fact, at present, there are no medical guidelines specifically for men experiencing eating disorders.  To mark International Men's Day 2021, Bodywhys shone a light into this uncharted territory in Ireland.  You can find out more at: https://www.bodywhys.ie/understanding-eating-disorders/males-eating-disorders  You might also be interested in watching 'Unspoken' - a new documentary featuring the personal stories of three men with eating disorders: https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/unspoken-e1/242007592177

The Men's Alliance NI is a peer support group, dedicated to assisting and believing male victims and survivors of domestic abuse.  It is run by those with lived experiences of this issue, who have been there and understand the trauma facing men in this situation.  Men’s Alliance NI has produced a Handbook for Victims of Domestic Abuse, which can be downloaded from: https://mensallianceni.co.uk/app/uploads/2021/10/Mens-Alliance-Handbook-for-Victims-of-Domestic-Abuse.pdf

Were you able to watch the 'The WHEN of Men’s Health' webinar which was held to mark International Men's Day 2021? ...  If not, you might like to see a recording of it at: https://youtu.be/d2BwRWcRjDk

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a catastrophic toll on society, health-care systems and the economy.  Notably, COVID-19 has been shown to be associated with a higher mortality rate in men than in women.  This disparity is likely to be a consequence of a failure to invest in men’s health - as it has also been established that men have a lower life expectancy and poorer outcomes from non-communicable diseases than women.  A variety of biological, social and economic factors have contributed to the sex disparities in mortality from COVID-19.  Find out more at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41585-021-00535-4

Variation in adolescent mortality between countries and by sex is widening - driven by poor progress in reducing deaths in males and older adolescents.  Improving global adolescent mortality will require action to address the specific vulnerabilities of this age group, which are being overlooked.  This Lancet article argues that there is an urgent need to respond to the changing global burden of adolescent mortality, address inequities where they occur, and improve the availability and quality of primary mortality data in this age group.  Read more at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01546-4/fulltext

In 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Ireland in the Department of Health, working with the HSE and local authorities and community agencies, launched the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme to provide increased health and wellbeing services in 19 community areas across Ireland.  An evidenced based process identified local areas in which health and wellbeing risk factors are particularly concentrated, and where specific initiatives will be delivered to help promote and improve the overall health and wellbeing of people in those communities.  These initiatives will be delivered through partnership working with a range of partners (HSE, local authorities and community groups) working together to provide dedicated services to build lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.  To find out more, visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/slaintecare-healthy-communities