Sometimes we over-complicate health promotion messages.  This free seminar (organised by the Southern Area Men’s Health Group) seeks to bring us ‘back to basics’, and to look at some of the obvious natural starting points for improving men’s health i.e. physical activity, eating well, looking after your head, having a laugh ...  It will take place on the morning of Friday 4th March 2016, in the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre, Keady, Co. Armagh.  Participants will: hear from Professor Niall Moyna, Head of School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University; get valuable insights into healthy eating and looking after your emotional wellbeing; have the opportunity to try Spin, Taekwondo and Chi Me; witness the power of laughter; be offered health checks; get a great lunch.  The Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group is a partnership comprised of the Public Health Agency, YouthAction NI, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Men’s Advisory Project, Cancer Focus NI, and the Closing the Gap Project within Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.  Put a spring in your step by contacting Leo Foy on Tel: 02837 414557 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information and a booking form.

Would you like to help to shape Men’s Health Week (MHW) this year?  If ‘yes’, then why not contribute to the second all-island Planning Group for MHW 2016?  Every year, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) hosts a number of meetings (some face-to-face and some via video-conference between Dublin and Belfast) to discuss the week and develop ideas.  The second meeting of this body will take place on the morning of Thursday 25th February in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  If you would be interested in contributing to the planning process, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  As space is very limited, prior booking is essential.

The Irish Cancer Society recently launched their Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign.  As part of this, they have developed an online Lung Health Checker which helps the user to find out how healthy their lungs are and to learn more about the symptoms of lung cancer.  But why is this needed? ...  Well, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death; 64% of lung cancer patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage; with early detection, patients can have more effective treatment options.  To have a look at the checker, visit: www.cancer.ie/lung/checker

Dads Direct is a group which aims to promote the value of actively engaged fathers in their children’s lives.  It is comprised of representatives from Contact Centres, Family Mediation NI, Home-Start NI, Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, Parenting NI, Relate NI and Sure Starts.  Dads Direct is conducting a short online survey which seeks the views of policy makers, service providers, family work practitioners and dedicated father-workers.  The aim of this survey is to identify and collate information which can be used to inform and influence how fathers are supported in our society.  The findings will help to provide evidence of need, as well as address gaps in policy, practice, training and research.  The survey takes no longer than 10 minutes to complete, and the respondent will remain completely anonymous throughout.  To take part, visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/supportingdads

In January 2016, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar launched safefood’s ‘Weight-Mate’ App.  This App aims to help adults to lose weight in a healthy way through goal setting, planning to eat healthy, balanced meals, and regular exercise.  The App monitors exercise and nutrition goals, and motivates the user to accomplish these goals.  It features over 400 recipes developed by safefood’s nutritionists to cater for individual weight loss needs.  There is also a ‘Groups’ feature - for communities, workplace groups, families or friends to work together to achieve their goals.  ‘Weight-Mate’ is free to download for iPhone and Android.  For more details, visit: www.safefood.eu/Healthy-Eating/Weight-Loss/weight-mate.aspx

If you’re aged 50+ why not join Volunteer Now for a free bus trip with a difference, and spend a morning visiting a community allotment and a Men’s Shed in Belfast.  Each participant will also receive a goody bag, and the outing will end with a three course lunch.  There will be four trips: North Belfast (Tuesday 1st March), East Belfast (Tuesday 8th March), South Belfast (Tuesday 15th March) and West Belfast (Tuesday 22nd March).  Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come basis.  For more information / to book a place, contact Deirdre Murphy on Tel: 02890 232020.

On Wednesday 24th February 2016, Action Mental Health (AMH) will be hosting Northern Ireland’s first Mental Health Summit.  This event will focus on the future of mental health services, and will provide delegates with the opportunity to influence the Mental Health Strategy in Northern Ireland.  The DHSSPS has committed to considering the implementation of proposals developed at the Summit in advance of the forthcoming Programme for Government.  Attendees will be participants in workshop-style interactive group discussion.  AMH is looking for participants who will voice opinions, raise hard questions, and contribute to a working document which will be submitted to both the Minister for Health and his Department.  This Summit will take place in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, and will run from 10.00am - 3.30pm.  To book a place, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AWARE is hosting an exclusive lunch and question-and-answer session with Republic of Ireland Manager and former Northern Ireland Team Captain, Martin O’Neill.  This will take place on Thursday 10th March 2016, in The Everglades Hotel, Derry / Londonderry, from 1.00pm - 4.00pm.  To find out more, visit: www.aware-ni.org/events/lunch-and-q-a-with-martin-o-neill.html