A new study by Dooley and colleagues, published in 2026, examines trends in psychological distress among adolescents in Ireland using survey data from 2018 to 2023.  The findings highlight high levels of psychological distress among Irish youth, with significant differences across sub-groups, including by gender.  The authors note implications for both universal and targeted interventions, and recommend continued surveillance of adolescent mental health and the expansion of accessible youth mental health services.  Read more at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-025-03026-8

The Annual Health Promotion Conference will be on Thursday 25th June 2026 at the University of Galway.  The title is 'Promoting Wellbeing through Equity: Social and Structural Determinants'.  More details about speakers and registration will be circulated and announced on the University of Galway website soon.

Men's Health Week 2026 will run from Monday 15th - Sunday 21st June this year.  However, have you given any thought yet to how you could get involved or do something to celebrate it? ...  On Wednesday 15th April 2026, a webinar was held to kick-start the ideas development process, and this featured a range of organisations who have previously organised events and activities in Ireland to mark the week.  During the event, they shared their past experiences to help inspire others to see what is / can be possible.  Watch a recording of the webinar at: https://youtu.be/0jrIp3zhllk

Are you interested in doing something practical to mark Men's Health Week 2026 on the island of Ireland? ...  If so, this free webinar for partners, stakeholders and supporters of Men’s Health Week - and those wishing to get involved for the first time - will take place from Noon - 1.00pm, on Wednesday 15th April 2026.

You will hear from experienced practitioners, who will share their insights on various strategies and activities for Men’s Health Week, including:

-  Aisling Colreavy, Healthy Galway City Coordinator 
-  Tara Gleeson, Communications and Partnerships Manager, parkrun RoI 
-  Clare Deasy, Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare 
-  Fergal Fox, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, HSE

Register for a place at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aLrHUZjbQYqNmG26qxykag

 

Project Purpose
The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI), with support from HSE Health and Wellbeing, is seeking an experienced researcher or research team to design and develop a 'Men’s Health Toolkit'.  This Toolkit will serve as a practical resource to support key stakeholders to apply a masculinities lens to their work, in order to engage men more effectively in the field of health and wellbeing.  It is linked to Task 1.1 of the Healthy Ireland - Men Action Plan 2024-2028. 
 
Aim and Objectives
This tender seeks to develop a men’s health toolkit to support the integration of gender-responsive approaches across services and programmes of work.  The objectives of this contract are to:

1. Conduct a structured evidence-mapping and needs assessment to identify best practices, gaps, and stakeholder needs. 
2. Generate expert consensus on the core principles required for gender-responsive practice across the health system. 
3. Produce a comprehensive, user-friendly toolkit containing practical guidance, tools, case studies, and resources. 
4. Support national dissemination and adoption across HSE teams, funded partners, and cross-sectoral stakeholders.

Timeframe
This work is expected to begin in late February 2026, and must be completed by no later than than Sunday 1st November 2026.  All content must be agreed, fully proofed, and submitted in Word format by this date.
 
Budget
The maximum budget for this tender is €20,000 - inclusive of VAT and all other expenses. 
 
Closing Date for Submissions
The deadline for return of tender submissions is 5.00pm on Friday 30th January 2026.  Only electronic applications will be considered, and late tenders will not be accepted.  As the deadline for receiving bids is quite short, the Selection Panel do not expect very lengthy submissions.  However, it is crucial that ALL of the necessary criteria set out in the ‘Tender Format’ section of the attached file are met.
 
More Details
Full details can be accessed at: https://www.mhfi.org/ToolkitTender2026.pdf  

Believe it or not, it’s that time again.  Yes, it’s time to get the most important date of the year into your new 2026 diary …  International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This coming year, it will run from Monday 15th until Sunday 21st June 2026.

Every year, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for MHW.  Would you be interested in being a part of this process, and joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape MHW 2026?  This can be done in many ways - from participating in meetings, to occasional electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.

If you would be interested in being part of the planning process for 2026 (in any way), email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

However, even if this is not possible, why not put the dates of MHW 2026 into your new diary, and start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week?  It’s never too early to start planning.

Suicide in the construction industry is a key concern, where workers experience some of the highest rates of suicide relative to other occupational groups.  The demanding nature of this sector often entails excessive working hours, physical strain, job insecurity and workplace culture that may discourage discussions about mental health that can negatively impact workers’ wellbeing.  Yet, the camaraderie and solidarity within the industry also offers a unique opportunity for change.  By positioning the construction industry as a setting for health promotion and early intervention, the industry can drive meaningful progress in promoting mental health and preventing suicide.  This report outlines what has been achieved in Phase 1 of the CAIRDE initiative in Ireland: www.mhfi.org/CAIRDEreport2025.pdf

Did you manage to tune in to the 'Minding Yourself and Others' webinar on Tuesday 16th December 2025? …  If not, you might be interested in seeing a recording of it (which is also signed by an ISL interpreter).  This men’s health event featured special guest Keith Donald.  70 years a musician, Keith has famously played with Moving Hearts, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Mary Coughlan, Christy Moore and loads more.  In the webinar, he shared some of his remarkable life story (taken from his new book titled 'Music and Mayhem'), and offered insights into his ongoing journey of building resilience, and the need to find - and be willing to accept - help and support.  The other guest speakers also highlighted resources and supports available to support men’s mental health.  See the recording of the webinar at: https://youtu.be/MeA2Z9l0Qpw