Men’s health on the island of Ireland is unnecessarily poor, but it is not a lost cause.  There are many free, simple and practical things that can be done to improve it.  But what are these?

To support Men’s Health Week last year, a team of students from the Game Design Degree Course in Technological University Dublin developed a ‘Serious Game’ - focusing on male health - that men and boys can play online.  We're offering you another chance to play it again this year.

In this retro-style arcade game, the player is invited to take on the character of ‘Agent Mann’ - a spy who is given the mission of tracking down and securing a series of dossiers containing high level ‘Intel’ on how to improve men’s health.

To succeed in his quest, Agent Mann has to navigate through various settings to locate and collect all of the dossiers.  Along the way, he has to learn how to move around in his environment and to use some of the gadgets available to him.  But of course, danger is never far away, and his path is blocked by the henchmen of his nemesis [Mr O’Bese] who try to prevent him from uncovering this vital information.

Why not be an ‘Action Man’ and …

1. Take on the role of Agent Mann.
2. Find and secure all of the seven dossiers.
3. Memorise what’s in them.
4. Use this information to improve the health of men both now and in the future.

Try it out at: https://mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2023.html#AgentMann

Not everybody knows about Men’s Health Week (MHW), what it hopes to do, why it needs to happen, or how they can get involved.  That’s why there is a MHW 2023 ‘Toolbox for Action’.  This Q&A style resource can be downloaded at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2023toolbox.pdf

Everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) each year.

The focus for MHW 2023 (i.e. ‘The Picture of Health’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, there is no need to stick rigidly to this particular theme.  Anything which promotes the week and 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!

Some people might have the time, energy, resources and skill to plan something elaborate.  However, even if this is not possible, there are still many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support - such as putting-up the poster in public spaces, giving out copies of the postcard to men that you know, social media posting, directing men to the new free ‘Action Man’ booklet, using the MHW graphics ...

For practical ideas and inspiration, you are invited to check out a paper titled 'What Can I Do To Mark This Week?' at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2023celebrateit.pdf

To promote Men's Health Week (MHW) 2023, a bespoke poster has been designed.  Posters are available as both A3 and A4 hard copies, and as online electronic files (in a range of sizes and formats suitable for a variety of uses).  To order hard copies of the poster, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating:

• How many copies you would like.
• Which size (or sizes) that you'd like.
• The name of the person to send them to.
• The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.

Please note, that there are now only a very small number of hard copies of these posters left in stock.

Copies of the online electronic resources can be downloaded from: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Poster2023

Even people who don't have time to do anything else for MHW 2023 are encouraged to put up a poster - in public view - to let everyone know when it is taking place.  Although this costs little to do, it will make a big difference to promoting the week!

 

Every year since 2014, there has been a Men's Health Week (MHW) postcard to publicise the week.  Traditionally, these cards can be displayed as small flyers in public spaces, and are often sent by organisations to the men that they have contact with.  This has proved to be a very successful means of letting local men know about the week.

Some groups have also used them as 'pledge cards' (e.g. this year, men can write on the card what their 'picture of health' might look like).  Later on, they could keep this beside their desk, on their work bench, attached to their dashboard etc. to remind them of what they want to do and hope to achieve.

The front of the postcard has a similar design to the MHW poster, and the back has a pre-written message which says:

This year, the postcards are available in both hard copy and as online electronic files.  For the electronic download version, see: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Postcard2023

Sorry, but all of the hard copies of the postcards have now been given out and there are no more in stock.

There’s no denying that the state of men’s health on the island of Ireland is often poor.  However, there are things which can be done to change this situation and men, themselves, can play a key role in doing this.  ‘Action Man - ten top tips for men’s health’ is a new, free, Man Manual (being distributed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland) to mark Men’s Health Week 2023.

This booklet doesn't preach or lecture - it simply explains: (i) WHY an action is needed; (ii) WHAT can be done about it; and (iii) HOW to find support if you need it.  Thus, the ten top tips put you into the driving seat, and give you the tools and DIY instructions to make positive changes - if you choose to be your own ‘Action Man’.

During Men’s Health Week 2023, this booklet will be available in hard copy and in electronic format.  To order hard copies, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.stating:

• How many copies you would like.
• The name of the person to send them to.
• The full postal address (including a Postcode / Eircode) for delivery.
• A contact phone number (in case there is a problem with the delivery).

The online version can be downloaded at: https://mhfi.org/ActionMan2023.pdf

The publication of this booklet has only been possible because of the generous support given by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Ireland within the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency and the authors - Finian Murray and Colin Fowler.

 

 

Every year there are hundreds (possibly even thousands) of events and activities throughout Ireland to celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW).  Some of these are well publicised, but most are only known about by a few people.

As in previous years, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) will promote the details of any activities or events that are being held throughout the island of Ireland during Men’s Health Week 2023.  This will help everyone to find out what is happening during the week, where it will take place, and how to join in.  It will also give some recognition and publicity to all those groups across Ireland that are doing something for and with men.

These activities might include health checks, conferences, launches, games, seminars, competitions, workshops, courses, displays, health fairs, workplace mail-outs ...  Whatever the activity, everyone is encouraged to submit their details.

There are two ways to let us know about what is happening to mark the week: (i) submit the details using the online form (at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html); or (ii) download and save a copy of the MS Word Registration Form (www.mhfi.org/mhw2023project.docx), type in the details, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.it back to us.

Absolutely everyone can do something to promote Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2023.  There are many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support.  There is a common logo / image pack which can be used by everyone who wishes to raise awareness of MHW.  There is also a MHW 2023 poster and postcard.  These are important promotional tools - as one of the key aims is to let as many people as possible know about the week.  These are available to anyone who wishes to use them at www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html

Here’s some practical suggestions …

-  Put a Men’s Health Week poster (or two or three) up in your workplace / meeting space / community centre / local shop / waiting room / church hall / Men’s Shed / gym / library / pub / surgery / construction site / home ...

-  Promote the week on your website - using a copy of the Men’s Health Week logo and other images e.g. badge or banner.

-  Link to the web page devoted to Men’s Health Week 2023 (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2023.html) from your own website, Facebook page or other social networking site.

-  Send an email to everyone on your mailing list to tell them about Men’s Health Week, and ask them to forward the message to all their contacts.  Why not also insert the MHW logo, badge or banner into your outgoing emails during May and June?

-  Become a fan of the Men’s Health Week in Ireland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and send this link to all your online friends.

-  Include information on Men’s Health Week 2023 in your mailouts and newsletters.

-  Tell others about what is happening in your area during Men’s Health Week by posting details on the MHFI website.  Use the form at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html

-  Make the Men’s Health Week logo or badge your computer desktop ‘wallpaper’ during May and June.

-  Remind your colleagues to follow all the latest news on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL).  Also Tweet about the week yourself, and include #MensHealthWeek and #ThePictureOfHealth in your message.

-  Encourage the men you know to get involved in some of the activities taking place during the week, and give them a copy of the free ‘Action Man’ booklet.

Doing one or more of these simple (and free) things will contribute hugely to MHW 2023!