The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is legislation designed to tackle Ireland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.  It aims to reduce the damage that alcohol causes to individuals, families and society by reducing our alcohol consumption - with a particular focus on protecting children and young people from alcohol harm.  You can find out more about the Bill and how to make your voice heard at: http://alcoholireland.ie/campaigns/bill

The list of conference speakers and posters for the 5th Annual Male Psychology Conference has just been announced.  This event will take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd June 2018, and is being held in University College London.  Full details are available at: www.malepsychology.org.uk/the-conference-2018

Women in almost all modern populations live longer than men.  Research, to date, provides evidence for both biological and social factors influencing this gender gap.  However, the outcomes when both men and women experience extremely high levels of mortality risk has been an unexplored area.  This study investigates the survival of both sexes, in seven populations, under extreme conditions including famine, epidemics and slavery.  It shows that women survived better than men.  In all populations, they had lower mortality across almost all ages and, with the exception of one slave population, they lived longer on average than men.  For more details, visit: www.pnas.org/content/pnas/early/2018/01/03/1701535115.full.pdf

EdgeFest at the MAC in Belfast is a mini-theatre festival featuring plays (produced in collaboration with Prime Cut Productions and Tinderbox Theatre) which explore male mental health issues.  To support the importance of the themes dealt with in the plays, there are also free talks and workshops.  Find more details at: www.themaclive.com/whats-on

SORRY, BUT ALL THE PLACES AT THIS EVENT WERE BOOKED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF IT BEING ANNOUNCED AND THERE IS NOW A LONG WAITING LIST.  ABSTRACTS FOR PRESENTATIONS ARE, HOWEVER, STILL BEING ACCEPTED ...

You are invited to apply for a place at a Men’s Health Symposium which is being organised as part of the ‘Healthy Ireland - Men’ Action Plan.  This event, titled ‘Men in the Middle’, will explore men’s health and wellbeing during middle-age, and will …

1. Launch a report on findings from Year 1 of the ‘Middle-Aged Men and Mental Health Project’ research.
2. Present key data on the health and wellbeing of middle-aged men in Ireland.
3. Highlight new / current research which focuses upon the target age group.
4. Showcase some practical examples of what is happening to support middle-aged men across Ireland.
5. Feature internationally recognised experts in the field of men’s health.

The Symposium will take place on Thursday 15th March 2018, from 9.30am - 3.30pm, in Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 8.  It is free to attend.  However, all places must be booked in advance.

Find out more at: www.mhfi.org/Symposium2018Info.pdf and apply for a place using the registration form at: www.mhfi.org/Symposium2018.doc   Please note that there is also a call for researchers to submit an abstract to present at this Symposium.  More details can be found at: www.mhfi.org/Symposium2018Abstract.pdf

The Southern Area Men's Health Steering Group invites you to their annual seminar which will be held on the morning of Friday 23rd March 2018, in the Palace Demesne, Armagh City.  This year's event is called 'The Main Man (and Woman)' and it will: encourage participants to see why men’s health issues need to be addressed; offer a practical example of how men can be effectively engaged; explore what participants could realistically offer in their own settings to support men's health and wellbeing.  This event will be of interest to anyone who has male workers, volunteers or participants within their setting, and who would like to help to improve the health of these people.  To find out more and/or to book a place see: www.mhfi.org/SAMH2018.pdf

Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.  But, there is hope, and things can be done to change this situation by empowering men to understand and improve their mental health.  This free event (on Monday 5th March 2018, starting at 9.30am finishing with lunch at 1.30pm, in the Student Zone, Northwest Regional College, Derry~Londonderry) is aimed at anyone who works with men or who has an interest in men’s health.  It will: explore theories of preventing suicide in men; look at how to make a difference in practice; highlight the real life experiences of local men (portrayed through drama); offer an opportunity to take part in interactive, practical workshops to improve wellbeing.  Places are limited, so early booking is advised.  If you would like to attend, please email Sonia Montgomery, Health Improvement Department, WHSCT at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 2018 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 11th until Sunday 17th June 2018.

Every year the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for Men’s Health Week (MHW).  Would you be interested in joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape MHW 2018?  This can be done in many ways - from participating in meetings to electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.  The first meeting of the Planning Group will take place on Wednesday 10th January 2018, from 10.45am - 1.45pm (including lunch), in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  However, even if you cannot make the meetings, your ongoing feedback on developments via email / phone would still be very helpful.  If you would be interested in being part of the planning process for 2018 (in any way), email Colin Fowler at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Even if this is not possible, why not put the dates of MHW 2018 into your new diary, and start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week?