'A Gathering of Men' is a two-night, experiential retreat for men.  Participants will get the opportunity to change 'The Old Story' and step into who they really are - 'The New Story'.  It starts on 30th August 2019, at Townley Hall, Drogheda, Co. Louth: www.agatheringofmen.ie

You are invited to the 25th Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference which will be held on Wednesday 13th November 2019, from 9.00am - 5.00pm, in the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Castlereagh, Belfast.  This year’s event will bring together a wide range of experts who will present up-to-date research and models from throughout the UK and Ireland via keynote presentations and interactive workshops.  These will focus upon: sexual health in Northern Ireland 25 years on; GUM update for Northern Ireland; inequalities and addictions in sexual health; young people; and gender issues.  The delegate rate (including lunch) is £60.00.  For further details, Tel: 028 9504 7028 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research has found that people who present to Emergency Departments following an episode of self-harm sometimes do not receive the care they need.  It has also been found that some people leave the Emergency Department before being assessed by a clinician.  The voices of service users are key to understanding how responses and outcomes may be improved.  Researchers at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with 3Ts, are seeking to interview people (aged 18 and over) in the Republic of Ireland about their experiences of presenting to the Emergency Department following an episode of self-harm or suicidal behaviour.  For more information and/or to participate, contact Dr Louise Doyle at Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel: 01 8963102.

Men over the age of 18 are invited to participate in a research study which is part of a dissertation for the MSc Counselling Studies and Therapeutic Communication course within Ulster University.  This study seeks to identify and highlight possible avenues which might encourage more men to seek help in times of difficulty.  It will explore participants' attitudes towards help-seeking, as well as their understanding of 'coaching' and their level of openness to it.  The online survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes to complete, and can be done on most devices.  To participate, visit: https://communication.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/coaching-and-help-seeking-among-men

According to the most recent research conducted by the National Crime Council in Ireland in 2005 - which explored domestic abuse in Ireland - over 88,000 men in Ireland have been domestically abused by their partner at some point in their lives.  This research also highlighted that only 5% of male victims of domestic abuse report the abuse to the Gardai.  However, Irish men do not need to suffer alone.  The Men’s Development Network (MDN) offers national support and guidance to male victims of domestic abuse (along with concerned family and friends) through their Male Advice Line.  This Freephone service is open 36 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, by calling: 1800 816 588.  MDN also offers free counselling to those who have been affected by domestic abuse and those who are suffering from depression, anxiety and trauma.  The counselling service can be accessed by calling: 051 844 260.

#MensHealthMatters this #MensHealthWeek - so make the time and take the time to do something practical to improve your own health and the health of those around you.

In Ireland, the main image on the Men's Health Week (MHW) posters is a mosaic of many diverse faces of men and boys. This short video clip gives a sense of what these smaller 'building block' images look like, and highlights that MHW is about every man (and boy) on the island.

Are you in the big picture for 2019? ...

 

International Men's Health Week (MHW) begins on Monday 10th June and runs until Sunday 16th June 2019 (Father’s Day).  Each year, there is a specific theme.  During 2019, the theme for the island of Ireland is 'Men’s Health Matters' and everyone is being asked to make the time and take the time to do something realistic and practical to improve both their own health and the health of the men and boys that they have contact with.  However, not everybody knows about MHW, what it hopes to do, why it needs to happen, or how they can get involved.  That’s why there is a Men’s Health Week 2019 'Toolbox for Action'.  This Q&A style resource can be downloaded at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019toolbox.pdf

Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2019.  The focus for this year (i.e. ‘Men’s Health Matters’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, you don’t have to stick rigidly to this particular topic.  Anything which encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome.  There are many simple, easy and cost-free ways to get involved.  For ideas, download a copy of the paper on what you can do to mark MHW 2019 at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019celebrateit.pdf