{jcomments off}As part of the development of a new National Framework for Suicide Prevention for Ireland, the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) wants to hear from members of the public - particularly those with an interest in suicide prevention and those affected by suicide.  Submissions from individuals and organisations with professional experience in the area are also being sought.  NOSP wants to hear your ideas and opinions about what should be contained in Ireland’s new Framework, and invites you and/or your organisation to make a submission.  For further information on the background to the consultation process and suggested themes, visit: www.nosp.ie/consultation   The closing date for submissions is Friday 6th June 2014.

{jcomments off}The 12th Annual Gay Health Forum (GHF12) will take place on Friday 6th June 2014 in Dublin Castle from 10.00am to 3.30pm.  This annual event is organised by the Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS), in association with partners in the Gay Health Network (GHN), and with the support of the Department of Health, the HSE’s National Directorate on Health and Wellbeing, and Primary Care and Mental Health.  The theme for this year’s forum is ACCESS, with presentations and new research on a range of issues for men who have sex with men (MSM) on accessing HIV and STI testing, access to condoms, and access to sexual health information and support.  Presentations will include surveillance updates on HIV and STIs in Ireland, a new report from the 2010 EMIS research on STI testing among MSM in Ireland, updates on the Man2Man.ie programme and other community initiatives, and a celebration of 20 years of the Gay Health Network.  Attendance at the event is free, with a light lunch provided.  Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-to-register basis.  To register, email your details (name, organisation and email address) to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}You are invited to apply for a place on a training day, led by YouthAction Northern Ireland, which will provide participants with conceptual and practical tools to reclaim youth work as a vehicle for challenging oppression and inequalities rooted in gender related violence.  This workshop will explore how gender oppression is experienced in the lives of young men and young women in Ireland.  This event will take place on Friday 16th May 2014, from 9.30am - 4.30pm, in Hall E, Arts Block, North Campus, National University of Ireland, Maynooth.  To register, please Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has developed a training resource for professionals who work with young people, under the age of 25 years, on sexual health issues.  It is known as ‘sexelearning’.  This is an online resource - the web address of which has recently changed.  For more information, download the flyer at: www.mhfi.org/sexelearning.pdf   To access the online materials, visit www.sexelearning.hscni.net, register for an account, and login.

{jcomments off}The Men’s Policy Forum provides an opportunity for a diverse range of individuals and organisations to network and share information in the field of men's work, as well as to collaboratively highlight and address the needs of men in Northern Ireland.  The next meeting of the Forum will take place on Wednesday 21st May 2014, from 10.00am - Noon, in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GB.  Everyone with an interest in men’s work and issues is welcome.  This meeting will focus on the Northern Ireland Gender Equality Strategy.  For further details, or to register your attendance, see: www.nicva.org/events/mens-policy-forum-working-together-highlight-mens-issues-northern-ireland

{jcomments off}You are invited to the Preview of the 2013 Young Life and Times (YLT) Survey Results, which will be held on Thursday 16th May 2014, from 9.30am - 11.30pm, in Queen’s University Belfast.  The Young Life and Times Survey is an annual survey which records the views of 16 year olds living in Northern Ireland about the issues that directly concern them.  The main topics in the 2013 survey were: mental health and self-harm, community relations and cross-community contact, and financial wellbeing.  YLT is a component of ARK.  The dataset and key tables of results will be made publicly available after this event at: www.ark.ac.uk/ylt  During the preview, there will also be a presentation on the new Young Life and Times book - published to celebrate the Survey’s 10th anniversary.  Books will be available to all seminar participants at a reduced price.  To reserve a free place, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 02890 975906.  Places are limited, and the deadline for registration is Monday 12th May 2014.

{jcomments off}Man Matters is a partnership between the Workers' Educational Association, Home-Start NI, Parenting NI and the Men's Health Forum in Ireland.  In 2013, Man Matters worked with Family Mediation NI to explore the issues facing, and needs of, separated fathers in Northern Ireland.  To date, this alliance has produced a number of resources in this area including: a briefing paper - ‘Fathers, Separation and Co-Parenting’; a Practice Paper - ‘Separated Fathers: The Experience of Practitioners’; a leaflet - ‘Parental Separation: A Father's Guide’; and a video - ‘Experiences of Separated Fathers’.  All of these materials are available for free download from the Man Matters website at: www.manmatters.org/index.php/resources

{jcomments off}Every year, during Men's Health Week, men and boys from the four corners of the island of Ireland gather in brotherhood, solidarity and care in the journey of being male.  They meet on the Hill of Uisneach, Co. Westmeath - an ancient place of assembly in the centre of Ireland.  In 2014, men and boys will gather at midday on Saturday 14th June.  You are invited to join this gathering for an unforgettable experience.  To find out more, visit: www.menofireland.com