News

It is well known that mental health problems are related to deprivation, poverty, inequality and other social and economic determinants of health.  Economic crises are, therefore, times of high risk to the mental well-being of the population - both to the people affected and to their families.  The economic crisis that started in 2007 has continued to pose major challenges throughout Europe.  It has led to significant declines in economic activity, a rise in unemployment, depressed housing markets, and an increasing number of people living in poverty.  The rise in national debt is forcing governments to implement severe cuts in public spending.  Significant risks remain in the world economy, and many countries are facing an era of austerity in health and welfare services.  This report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to present current knowledge on how economic downturns affect population mental health, and outlines some of the benefits of action that could be implemented to reduce the harmful effects of the current economic crisis.  It is available for free downloading at: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/134999/e94837.pdf

“Adult Drinking Patterns in Northern Ireland 2011” details the results of a survey which was commissioned by the DHSSPS and conducted by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.  The report provides an up-to-date picture of adult drinking in Northern Ireland, and includes information on the amount people drink, as well as when, where, what, and who they drink with.  It also examines how drinking behaviours vary across different sections of the public, the proportion of people who binge drink, problem drinking, and perceptions of drinking.  The report is available for free downloading at: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/adult_drinking_patterns_in_northern_ireland_2011.pdf

Fathers’ engagement with health services poses a specific challenge to health care professionals.  Evidence suggests that when fathers are engaged and involved with their families, the health outcomes for their children are improved - as are those of the men and mothers as well.  However, researchers in the area of men’s health and fatherhood conclude that gender disparities exist in relation to engaging fathers in health services.  Current methods utilised by health care professionals tend to adopt a more ‘mother-centric’ approach to intervention.  This may hinder fathers’ engagement because it can imply that men are not necessary or, indeed, welcomed at health services.  “Engaging Dads in Health Services” is a report from Australia which looks at some of these key issues.  It is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the University of Western Sydney by clcking here.

ARK and Man Matters invite you to a seminar on ‘Facing the Challenge: The Impact of the Recession and Unemployment on Men's Health in Ireland’.  At this event, Owen Metcalfe (Director of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland) will highlight some of the findings from recent research commissioned by his organisation.  This study explored the adverse effects of the economic recession - and the accompanying rise in unemployment - on men’s mental health.  The seminar will take place on Tuesday 14th February 2012, from Noon - 1.00pm, in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GB.  It will be followed by lunch.  The seminar is free, but participants need to book a place in advance by Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or Tel: 028 71675513.

You are invited to a free men's health workshop, being run by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), which will focus upon 'Putting Men’s Health onto the Agenda'.  This event will take place during the morning of Friday 27th January 2012, in the Jethro Centre, Flush Place, Lurgan Co. Armagh.  The aim is to raise the profile of men’s health issues, and to explore the potential for establishing a Men’s Health Network in the SHSCT area.  A range of speakers (including leading men's health expert Dr Ian Banks - President of the European Men's Health Forum) will highlight key facts and statistics on men’s health, explore ‘what works’ with men, and will discuss partnership approaches to this work.  For more details see: www.mhfi.org/shsctevent2012.pdf  To book a place at this event, print and complete the registration form at: www.mhfi.org/shsctform2012.pdf

Are you involved in interventions to help men who are obese to lose weight?  If ‘yes’, then the ROMEO (Review Of MEn and Obesity) study would like to hear from you.  We are a team within the Health Services Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen and are, currently, conducting a systematic review on the evidence-based management strategies for treating obesity in men, and how to engage men in these obesity services.  To that end, we aim to integrate the quantitative and qualitative evidence base for the management and engagement of men with obesity in weight loss services, researching concurrently to systematically review: (a) The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions for obesity in men, and men in contrast to women.  (b) The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions to engage men in their weight reduction.  (c) The qualitative research with men about obesity management, and providers of such services for men.  If you have any information on relevant projects conducted within your organisation that have been written up as a report (whether for internal or external purposes), or have been submitted for publication, or have already been published, we would like to hear from you.  Please send any relevant reports or articles you may have to: Health Services Research Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Health Sciences Building, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    To find out more about this study, visit: www.hta.ac.uk/project/2545.asp

The Public Health Agency has recently reproduced the ‘Steps to Deal with Stress’ booklet (developed by the Scottish Government). This resource aims to help individuals to recognise the signs of stress, and offers advice to enable them to help themselves to feel better.  Research shows that while feeling stressed is common, talking about it or being able to deal with it remains taboo.  The booklet helps people to take small achievable steps to deal with stress - before it escalates into more serious mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.  It covers the causes of stress, coping with difficult situations, learning from bad experiences, practical things you can do, and signposts the reader to sources of help.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has published the first bulletin from the Health Survey Northern Ireland 2010 / 2011.  The survey provides information on a broad range of health issues e.g. general health, mental health, physical activity, diet, obesity, smoking and alcohol use ...  The survey results can be accessed at: www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-dhssps/news-dhssps-151111-health-survey-northern.htm

A report on the Northern Ireland Sport and Physical Activity Survey was recently launched by Sport Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency and the UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland).  This report provides, for the first time, a complete picture of adult participation in sport and physical activity across Northern Ireland.  The report found that most adults in Northern Ireland are not sufficiently active to maintain a general health benefit.  In fact, only 35% of Northern Ireland’s adult population achieves the required 30 minutes of activity on at least five days per week.  What’s more, it was found that most physical activity actually occurs at home.  This is followed by activities at work, while sporting activities came in third.  Copies of the report are available for free online downloading at: www.sportni.net/Media/Add+Articles/SAPAS2010

The School of Nursing and Midwifery in Queen's University Belfast is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow.  The person appointed will work on a project titled: 'Teenage Men and Unintended Pregnancy - An Educational Resource'.   This study is an ESRC funded ‘follow-on study’, which seeks to develop and promote (with key stakeholders) an educational resource on teenage men and unintended pregnancy.  This resource will be delivered in post-primary schools in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd December 2011, and more details can be found online at: https://hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=8764341aqX&WVID=6273090Lgx&LANG=USA